College-level coursework is rapidly becoming a standardized feature of the American high school experience. Dual and concurrent enrollment (DE/CE) programs have evolved from specialized tracks for high achievers into central pillars of national strategies for college affordability, degree completion, and workforce development. In the 2023–24 academic year, national participation surged to 2.8 million students—a 12.7% year-over-year increase—driven by expanding state mandates,