Happy New Year from

the Spotlight On Data Newsletter!

Thanks to a generous grant received by Expect More Tehama, we now have access to an incredible resource for analyzing labor market data: Lightcast. This cutting-edge tool integrates data from dozens of government and private-sector sources to provide a comprehensive, real-time view of economic trends.

Lightcast compiles data on industries, occupations, education, demographics, job postings, and workforce profiles. This information is available at various levels, from national and state to metropolitan, county, and even ZIP code. The tool offers insights on employment, earnings, job changes, and demographics, creating a rich dataset that helps us better understand labor market dynamics in our region.

We’re currently exploring Lightcast’s full potential and how it can best serve our community. While its initial use will focus on our grant project in partnership with Expect More Tehama, we plan to expand its application over time, making it an essential tool in our data-driven efforts.

Stay tuned for updates as we dive deeper into this exciting resource! In the meantime, if you’re curious to learn more about Lightcast, visit their website. You can also reach out to James Crandall with your questions. Below, you’ll find an example of the powerful insights this tool can generate.

Each year, approximately 2.5 million high school students participate in dual enrollment (DE) college courses, making it a critical pathway to higher education and degree completion. Community colleges, in particular, have seen a surge in DE participation, with enrollment more than tripling over the past two decades. Research highlights the many benefits of dual enrollment, especially for underrepresented groups, as it offers students a valuable head start on college. However, access remains unequal, with Black, Hispanic, and low-income students often underrepresented. Addressing these disparities is vital to ensuring dual enrollment fulfills its potential as a tool for equity and postsecondary success.

A recent report using National Student Clearinghouse data examines the outcomes of students who began DE coursework in fall 2015, tracking their postsecondary enrollment and completion over four years. Findings show that 81% of DE students enrolled in college within a year of high school, with 42% completing a degree or certificate within four years. DE students consistently outperformed their peers without DE experience, with higher college enrollment and completion rates in 41 states. However, disparities persist, as low-income, Black, and Hispanic DE students had lower average completion rates than their peers, though still higher than non-DE students from similar backgrounds.

The report also reveals that DE students at four-year institutions achieve particularly strong outcomes, such as higher bachelor’s degree completion rates, but these opportunities are less accessible to students from low-income or underrepresented groups. Additionally, many DE students—particularly those from underserved backgrounds—remain enrolled in college without completing a degree within four years, underscoring the need for additional support to accelerate their progress.

To maximize the benefits of dual enrollment, policymakers and educators must expand access to high-quality DE opportunities, particularly for underserved populations. States and institutions should use data to assess local needs, improve program implementation, and support timely degree completion. By addressing gaps in access and success, dual enrollment can become an even more powerful tool for achieving equity and increasing postsecondary attainment nationwide.

The accompanying data dashboard displays the state-by-state results from the report, broken down by student racial/ethnic group, neighborhood income, and gender. The data allow states to assess how well their dual enrollment programs are helping students gain a head start on college compared to other states and the nation overall.