There are more and more budget cuts to state agencies, including education departments every year. In fact, they are inevitable in today’s society. Every day on the news, we see that the legislatures are making cuts and eliminating programs. Most states provide less support for elementary and secondary schools per student than before the Great Recession (Leachman). Many programs are being abolished or diminished by our state’s legislatures in order to save public education funds. One area that many people feel may not be a necessary program is that of offering concurrent college classes to high school students. Concurrent classes are college classes that high school students can take so they can earn college credits while still in high school.
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Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college courses and earn credits toward an associate’s degree (Fleischman, Heppen). The students who participate in this program are exposed to college curriculum in an environment they are comfortable and familiar with. This helps build their confidence and may motivate them to continue to pursue a college degree. Students who do not have that opportunity may not feel that they are ready or able to go to college to seek a college degree. Research has shown that post-secondary success has predicted on both rigorous academic preparation and a clear understanding of the expectations in college (Fleischman, Heppen). Among students entering college with dual credit, those with more than 12 dual credit hours, compared to those students with fewer than 12 dual credit hours, were more likely to progress toward a degree over time and complete a bachelor’s degree (Radunzel, Noble, Wheeler). Dual enrollment students who completed 20 or more hours in the first year of college were 28% more likely to persist through the second year of college than students who did not complete dual classes (Swanson). Multiple studies clearly indicate that students who take concurrent classes in high school are more likely …show more content…
At least 31 states provided less state funding per student in the 2014 school year, than in the 2008 school year. Many think that if public school systems cannot be funded sufficiently, then why should money be spent on higher education (Leachman, Albares, Masterson, Wallace). This point has some validity in the sense of having more public school funding, that could produce more educated future college students. However, the proven benefits and long-term effects of concurrent enrollment on student success, and the cost saving factors that motivate students to continue their education will in general, be of excellent benefit to our society since it should produce a more motivated student
Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college courses and earn credits toward an associate’s degree (Fleischman, Heppen). The students who participate in this program are exposed to college curriculum in an environment they are comfortable and familiar with. This helps build their confidence and may motivate them to continue to pursue a college degree. Students who do not have that opportunity may not feel that they are ready or able to go to college to seek a college degree. Research has shown that post-secondary success has predicted on both rigorous academic preparation and a clear understanding of the expectations in college (Fleischman, Heppen). Among students entering college with dual credit, those with more than 12 dual credit hours, compared to those students with fewer than 12 dual credit hours, were more likely to progress toward a degree over time and complete a bachelor’s degree (Radunzel, Noble, Wheeler). Dual enrollment students who completed 20 or more hours in the first year of college were 28% more likely to persist through the second year of college than students who did not complete dual classes (Swanson). Multiple studies clearly indicate that students who take concurrent classes in high school are more likely …show more content…
At least 31 states provided less state funding per student in the 2014 school year, than in the 2008 school year. Many think that if public school systems cannot be funded sufficiently, then why should money be spent on higher education (Leachman, Albares, Masterson, Wallace). This point has some validity in the sense of having more public school funding, that could produce more educated future college students. However, the proven benefits and long-term effects of concurrent enrollment on student success, and the cost saving factors that motivate students to continue their education will in general, be of excellent benefit to our society since it should produce a more motivated student