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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus |
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Shimkus working to help more teens get a jump on college
Introduces bill to increase dual enrollment funds
HARRISBURG, April 3 – In an effort to help more students take college courses while still in high school, state Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, has introduced legislation (H.B. 2430) that would increase the money available in the state budget for schools to expand their dual enrollment programs.
Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college-level courses while still in high school.
"The benefit of high school students taking college courses is that it keeps their interest in education and allows them to get a taste of college life," Shimkus said. "And most importantly, if Pennsylvania invests in our brightest students, we might see some of these kids stay in Pennsylvania after they graduate from college, helping to plug the brain drain."
Shimkus added that allowing students to take college credits while still in high school could help them get their college degree more quickly, saving them thousands in tuition dollars.
Under Shimkus’ bill, state funds for dual enrollment would increase by $2 million to $12 million in the 2008-09 budget.
Public schools’ share of the Dual Enrollment pot for Early College, Middle College, High School and Gateway programs would increase from 6 percent to 10 percent, allowing schools to include more students in the programs.
The money available for supplemental grant programs, which help lower-income students take college-level courses at their local colleges, would increase from 22 percent to 28 percent.
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