A state's dual enrollment funding model is one of the most critical components in increasing equal access to program offerings for eligible students, regardless of their location, demographics, or family socioeconomic status. Yet despite growing interest in expanding advanced learning opportunities, dual enrollment costs in many states remain a barrier to participation. In this webinar, Jennifer Zinth, author of the 2025 update to the College in High School Alliance's Funding for Equity report, will provide a national overview of dual enrollment funding models. Ms. Zinth will highlight strategies that expand access while maintaining program quality and sustainability. Join us to better understand where your state stands—and how policy choices can support more equitable dual enrollment access.
Presenter
Jennifer Zinth
Founder and Principal
Zinth Consulting, LLC
Jennifer Zinth is founder and principal at Zinth Consulting, LLC, a Denver-based firm providing policy research and other professional services on secondary and postsecondary education topics, including dual enrollment and open educational resources (OER). Prior to establishing Zinth Consulting in 2019, Jennifer spent 20 years at Education Commission of the States (ECS), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization supporting state education leaders across role groups across the 50 states. She helped lead a large policy staff team at ECS, and later became recognized as a national expert in dual enrollment and other postsecondary transition issues while heading up ECS institutes on high school and STEM/computer science.
Jennifer conducts state policy research and analysis; authors publications; advises states and organizations; and organizes, facilitates, and presents at convenings for state leaders and other stakeholders on dual enrollment and other specialization topics. She has worked on behalf of numerous states and organizations, including the College in High School Alliance, Complete College America, the Joyce Foundation, Microsoft, the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, and the Southern Regional Education Board, to name just a few. Among her dozens of dual enrollment publications is the groundbreaking 2019 Funding for Equity report and its 2025 update, which provide a national landscape of state dual enrollment funding mechanisms, including the benefits and potential challenges of each approach, and considerations for policymakers weighing the adoption of a given funding model.
Her work has directly impacted policy enhancements on dual enrollment and other topics in dozens of states.