For Immediate Release
September 1, 2005
Contact: Anna Gustafson
717-787-2637
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Rhoades: School Districts Have Until Sept. 15 to Apply for "Dual Enrollment"

Allows students to earn college credits while in high school

Harrisburg – School districts have until Sept.15 to apply for funding under a newly expanded program that will put college within reach of more students by allowing them to earn college credits while in high school, state Sen. James J. Rhoades (R-29) said today. 

The program is run through partnerships between school districts and eligible postsecondary institutions, said Rhoades, chairman of the Senate Education Committee and a leading supporter of the original legislation whose provisions were inserted into the bill signed by the governor. 

This program is already available to high school juniors and seniors, and vocational-technical student in many local school districts. The new program makes the benefit available statewide, Rhoades said. 

"The General Assembly passed a state budget that includes $5 million for the program – with up to $400,000 reserved for extra assistance for low-income students. School districts can use grants will be used to pay for tuition, books, fees, and transportation associated with the program," said Rhoades. "Many school districts in our area have taken the initiative and have been offering dual enrollment to students. I worked to include this aid in the budget because to help our school districts implement such innovative approaches. 

The following districts in Schuylkill and Carbon counties already have dual enrollment programs with Lehigh Carbon Community College: 

• Schuylkill -- Blue Mountain, Mahanoy Area, North Schuylkill, Pine Grove Area, Pottsville Area, Shenandoah Valley, Tamaqua Area, and Williams Valley. 

• Carbon -- Jim Thorpe Area, Lehighton Area, Palmerton Area, and Panther Valley. 

"Dual enrollment exposes students to the challenging rigors of higher education, while still in the supportive environment of high school," said Rhoades. "And it allows them to begin earning college credits earlier, when they are less expensive. The aim is to prepare students academically for college while easing the financial burden on families." 

Rhoades also noted that the approach allows higher education institutions to save money as they will spend less on remedial education. 

A grant application and more information about the dual enrollment program can be found at www.project720.org under "Dual Enrollment."