The Pennsylvania Department of Education said $6.7 million in grant funding has been awarded to 100 school entities to enable more high school students to enroll in dual-credit programs across the Commonwealth.
The Warren County School District was one of the districts rewarded in the amount of $75,000, with the Forest Area School District receiving $48,380.
“Dual credit programs help high school students get a jump start on their postsecondary coursework, build their confidence, and set them up for future success,” acting Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin said in a statement.
Qualifying schools will use up to $75,000 in grant funding to create or expand equitable and innovative dual credit opportunities “for all secondary school students, including students experiencing educational instability, students enrolled in career and technical education programs, low-income students, and historically underserved student groups,” the state Department of Education said in its statement.
Research shows that such programs have a “positive impact on high school academics, high school graduation rates, college enrollment, college success, and college completion rates. Research on a New York City dual enrollment program found that it improved postsecondary attainment, reduced time to degree and increased student academic performance,” according to an analysis by the U.S. Dept. of Education.
In its statement, the state Education Department made the same argument.
“Dual credit programs improve student outcomes—helping learners prepare for college and setting them up for future success in higher education—by enabling them to take college courses and earn credits for both high school and college. Dual credit offerings improve academic achievement, high school graduation rates, college enrollment, and college completion rates,” the agency said.
“When [Gov. Josh] Shapiro talks about giving students the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunities to succeed, this is what he means,” Mumin said. “By expanding dual credit opportunities across the Commonwealth, we will help more students access these programs, become exposed to new opportunities, and begin to chart their own course to successful and fulfilling careers.”
