January 30, 2006
For further information: Representative Margaret Dayton 801/221-0623

Margaret helps high school students earn college credit

SALT LAKE CITY-Rep. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, is sponsoring a bill that provides a mechanism to help fund Utah's concurrent enrollment program.

"Utah's very successful and popular concurrent enrollment program is in danger of being diminished or even phased out if action isn't taken," said Dayton. "We must not lose this type of college option, or any other option, that has high school students focused on pressing forward into higher education."

Since 1988, Utah high school students have been able to enroll in college courses and simultaneously earn both high school units and college credit either on-site at their local high schools or on a college or university campus. State law indicates that the Legislature shall provide up to $50 per credit hour to fund the program. However, the actual funds provided have always been less than $50 per credit hour and are currently at $30 per credit hour. Utah's public schools receive two-thirds of the funding, and one-third is directed to Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) institutions. USHE's cost of delivering the program is $20 per credit hour-and with only $10 per credit hour being provided to the institutions, they are forced to subsidize the rest of the cost. This is not sustainable, particularly as the program's popularity grows.

To ensure Utah's high school students receive this quality, cost-effective benefit of concurrent enrollment, an effective commitment to eliminate the funding gap is required.

"Post-secondary education is the key to success for Utah's students," said Commissioner of Higher Education Richard E. Kendell. "The ability to take college courses in high school at a low cost is not the only benefit. Students who take advantage of programs like concurrent enrollment are more likely to pursue higher education, do as well or better than their peers once enrolled in college, and graduate more quickly."

H.B. 151 provides that students will pay a fee of up to $30 per credit hour for each concurrent enrollment course for which the student will receive college credit. When compared to the average cost of $124 per credit hour in Utah (this amount is a system average), the fee is minimal.

Nationally, at least 47 states participate in some type of dual-enrollment policy and nearly half require students to pay some or all of the tuition cost.