Westmoreland Review

On January 29, 2024, a bill-signing ceremony was held in Harrisburg to celebrate the enactment of legislation that improves the law pertaining to dual enrollment programs. The bill, known as House Bill 1258, was co-prime sponsored by Rep. Jill Cooper, a freshman House of Representatives member from Westmoreland, and Rep. Stephen Kinsey, a Democrat from Philadelphia.

The legislation eliminates the requirement that students enrolled in dual enrollment programs are removed from the school's average daily membership (ADM), which impacts state funding to local school districts. This change aims to ensure that schools offering such programs are not penalized financially. Rep. Cooper expressed her enthusiasm for this change, stating, "Programs like these excite students and parents, and schools shouldn't face a bureaucratic, financial penalty for offering them."

Working together on House Bill 1258, Rep. Cooper and Rep. Kinsey showcased the bipartisan effort to improve education opportunities for students. They are also co-chairs of the Pennsylvania House Bipartisan "Meet Me in the Middle" Caucus, which focuses on collaboratively working on legislation that has broad appeal without compromising lawmakers' core beliefs on other topics. Rep. Cooper emphasized the importance of expanding education opportunities, saying, "Expanding education opportunities and offering excitement to today's students that will become tomorrow's workforce goes beyond partisan politics."

Rep. Kinsey also highlighted the significance of the bill, stating, "School districts should not lose out on funding because their students enroll in one of these courses that propels their academic career while still in high school."

The bill signing ceremony was attended by various individuals, including Governor Josh Shapiro. One student who has taken advantage of dual enrollment programs, Will Montgomery, a junior at Franklin Regional High School, was present at the ceremony. Thanks to dual enrollment, he is on track to become the third student from Franklin Regional High School to graduate with an associate degree.

The signing of House Bill 1258 marks a significant step forward in providing greater educational opportunities for high school students in Pennsylvania. This legislation ensures that schools can offer dual enrollment programs without facing financial penalties, allowing students to advance their academic careers while still in high school. With the support of Rep. Cooper and Rep. Kinsey, Pennsylvania students are better off, and the future workforce is set to benefit from these expanded education opportunities.