Clear the Path

As Michigan’s high schools prepare all students for postsecondary education and training, an increasing number of our secondary school students will have the ability to complete college-level work during their high school years. Michigan must seize this opportunity for learning by expanding opportunities for high school students to earn college credit. This will allow students to achieve their education goals more quickly, reduce the cost of postsecondary degrees, and give many students a better understanding of their own potential to succeed at college-level work. Rather than hold its students back, Michigan must be willing to accelerate the pace of learning to realize education gains that will translate into a stronger economy and better jobs.

RECOMMENDATION

Expand Opportunities for “Early College” Achievement

The legislature must replace the current dual enrollment funding system during the 2005–2006 legislative session with a system that provides incentives for collaboration between secondary and postsecondary institutions.

Michigan’s school districts must expand opportunities for dual enrollment and for taking college credit courses so that 50 percent of the state’s high school students are earning college credit by 2015. All school districts, even those with the most academically challenged schools, should achieve a minimum enrollment of 10 percent.

(Participation Work Group rec. 2)

News

• Michigan to Receive Grant to Make Fundamental Change in High Schools, States News Service (July 14, 2005)

Web Links

• Michigan Department of Education Dual Enrollment
• NGA Center for Best Practices High School Honor State Program
• Gifted and Talented Education Programs-Michigan State University
• The University of Michigan-Dearborn Dual Enrollment
• Northern Michigan University Dual Enrollment
• Alpena Community College Dual Enrollment
• Delta College Dual Enrollment

Related Legislation

• HB 5903
• HB 5904