Bipartisan bill to foster dual enrollment in PA heads to Gov. Shapiro’s desk
Rep. Stephen Kinsey December 13, 2023 | 8:06 PM
HARRISBURG, Dec. 13 – Today, legislation (H.B. 1258) introduced by state Reps. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila.; and Jill Cooper, R-Westmoreland, passed the PA House on concurrence. The bill now heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.
The bill would improve the funding mechanism for dual enrollment programs by removing the requirement that students enrolled in such programs be removed from the school’s average daily membership count.
Under the current funding mechanism for public schools, schools lose out if a child chooses to take a college level course – even if the student remains physically at the school.
“Education is a tool that is meant to empower our students and give them greater opportunities to succeed in life. Dual enrollment programs provide high school students an opportunity to take college-level courses and earn college credits,” Kinsey said. “School districts should not lose out on funding because their students enroll in one of these courses that propels their academic career while still at the high school.”
“This change incentivizes school districts to have dual enrollment programs, and I am happy that Harrisburg will be fostering innovation in our schools. In the end, this expands opportunities available to our young people,” Cooper said. “Representative Kinsey is an experienced legislator, and it was an honor to work with him on this.”
Kinsey and Cooper, who serve as co-chairs of the House Bipartisan Caucus, both noted the importance of the bill’s bipartisan support as well as their bipartisan efforts. They stated that good things can get done when members from both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate work together to move Pennsylvania forward.