Educational experiences that provide high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school are known in Oregon as "accelerated learning" programs. One form of Accelerated Learning in Oregon is Dual Credit.
Dual Credit is defined as awarding secondary and postsecondary credit for a course offered in a high school during regular school hours, as determined by local school board and community college board policy. Dual Credit courses are designed to help high school students' progress through postsecondary education by eliminating duplication of course work and/or proficiencies.
Students participating in accelerated learning are usually starting on a pathway to a college degree or certificate. These programs aim to provide bridges that support and encourage a college-going culture and reduce gaps in college access and academic achievement. They can smooth the transition into a college or university by enabling high school students to successfully earn college credit and better prepare for postsecondary expectations.
In Dual Credit courses, the high school teacher is qualified to act as a proxy faculty member for the college or university when teaching the course. These courses are sufficiently similar to enable the student to be described as "taking a course" from the postsecondary institution. Through ORS 340.310, the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) was charged with developing standards for dual credit and other high school based college credit partnership programs.