More high-school students are enrolling in college these days because it’s free and because they can.
It doesn’t make sense for everybody, but it makes a lot of sense for those students who are:
a bit ahead of the game
motivated
not sure
Dual enrollment and early college programs are great for students who want a little more time to decide exactly where their future will lead them.
What college student wouldn’t love to have a few basics out of the way? What high-school student wouldn’t love to be able to say they’re in college? What parent wouldn’t love to pay zero for college credits for their kid?
It’s possible and easier than it sounds. A quick visit to a few college websites or a short call is all it takes to find out who’s doing what in the world of dual enrollment.
Lots of college-bound high-school students are giving it a go, and lots of colleges are taking advantage of a new federal education law that has expanded dual enrollment.
There’s been an increase in state and local investment of federal funds for college courses available in high schools, according to the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, the sole national accrediting body for concurrent enrollment partnerships. It’s called the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). President Obama signed it in December of last year.
These programs now will be used as a strategy to improve high-school curriculum and get students ready for college. Local and state education agencies now can use federal funds to support college coursework for students:
attending schools in need of improvement (Title I)
attending high-poverty schools (Title I)
that are low-income and attending private schools (Title I)
Federal funds also will support academic enrichment (Title IV), and teacher professional development (Title II).
We are one of the colleges ready to offer opportunities to high-school students in surrounding communities. We already have dual-enrollment partnerships with: Houghton Lake, Roscommon, Fairview, Mio, and Gaylord high schools.
We also have something called Early Middle College. It’s a “13th year” program. At the end of it, students have their high-school diploma and an associate degree.
Right now, we have a partnership with the Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency in Tawas, where there was enough interest for two programs. One is at IRESA in Tawas. It serves Tawas, Hale and Whittemore Prescott. There’s another one at Oscoda HS.
If you’re looking for affordable college opportunities, please ask your high school about dual enrollment. If they aren’t sure, please call us at 989-275-5000 ext. 433. We’re encouraging all of our local school districts to partner with Kirtland. There is no cost to students.
Want more information? Visit www.kirtland.edu or www.nacep.org.
