Westmoreland Review

Legislation aimed at enhancing dual enrollment programs for high school students has been approved by the House. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Stephen Kinsey and Jill Cooper, seeks to improve funding mechanisms by removing a stipulation that affects state funding allocations based on student enrollment in these programs.

House Bill 1258 addresses the requirement that students in dual enrollment are deducted from a school's average daily membership (ADM), which influences the amount of state funding local districts receive. Cooper emphasized, "Harrisburg shouldn’t be hindering innovation; we should be fostering it. If schools are being penalized for providing these programs, they would likely cancel them and deny students access to a great advantage."

The bill aims to support dual enrollment initiatives where high school students can take college-level courses, potentially earning credits before graduating high school. This setup allows some students to enter college as juniors or even graduate early.

Kinsey noted the importance of these opportunities, stating, “Dual enrollment programs provide excellent opportunities for students; however, those currently participating in them aren’t able to get the full credit they deserve for their work.”

Both representatives collaborated on drafting this legislation and serve as co-chairs of the Pennsylvania House Bipartisan “Meet Me in the Middle” Caucus.