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 In the last year alone, over 57,000 high school
student were enrolled in 11,000 dual credit courses.
Dual credit programs allow academically qualified high school
students to explore various academic areas and experience the rigor
of college-level coursework. Upon successful course completion,
students earn both high school and college credit. In acknowledgment
of this valuable educational opportunity, the Illinois Senate
recently declared March 18 to 24 as “Dual Credit Week.”
“The community college system has long been a leader in the
development and expansion of dual credit programs. The steady rise
in dual credit enrollment reflects an understanding among secondary
and postsecondary educators that early college experience is an
integral part of preparing students for college and career success,”
said Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, executive director of the Illinois
Community College Board (ICCB).
For students, dual credit programs mean savings on college tuition
costs and a job start on college completion. “I would recommend
taking dual credit to anybody” shared Tyler Behrends, a 2014
graduate of Sauk Valley Community College. “It worked out great.”
After he graduated high school, Tyler was already done with his
general education requirements and jumped right into classes at Sauk
Valley.
Danelle Helton a freshman at Lake Land College took three dual
credit classes in high school earning 13 credit hours. “You usually
would get a little intimidated to be taking a college class in high
school, but since I was taking college courses with my peers, I knew
my teachers and I was comfortable going to my teacher and asking
questions. When I transitioned here to Lake Land, I found myself
feeling just as comfortable with my teachers and I knew the
curriculum and what to expect.”
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“It was great to get some of my credits out of the way and
allowed me to cut down on the hours I had to take this year so I could keep my
jobs,” said Helton who in addition to school was working three jobs.
Over the past five years, the ICCB has provided nearly $1 million
to community colleges through the Dual Credit Enhancement Grant to support the
development, enhanced delivery, and articulation of local dual credit programs
and to expand student access. These grant dollars have allowed colleges to
implement new dual credit offerings and utilize innovative instructional models
including distance learning and competency-based education.
“The grants reflect the Board’s commitment to strengthen the pathway for
students from high school into college,” said Anderson. “As we look ahead to the
future, the Board is focused on expanding dual credit opportunities especially
in rural and other underserved areas of the state.”
As the third largest community college system in the country and the leading
public workforce development trainer in the state, Illinois community colleges
serve over 600,000 residents each year in credit, noncredit, and continuing
education courses. Illinois is home to 48 colleges in 39 community college
districts which provide high quality, accessible, cost-effective educational
opportunities to the entire state. The Illinois Community College Board is the
state coordinating board for community colleges and has statutory responsibility
for administering state and federal grants to community college districts and
adult education providers and managing high school equivalency testing for
Illinois.
[Matt Berry
Deputy Director for Legislative & External Affairs
Illinois Community College Board]
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