Governor wants high schoolers to graduate with college experience

To help parents combat the hefty costs of sending their children to college, Governor Bob McDonnell added a proposal to his “ Opportunity to Learn” education agenda.

Announced Jan. 9, proposition HB1184 would expand Virginia’s dual enrollment program.

The current dual enrollment program offered in Virginia high schools allows junior and senior students to take classes through local community colleges, such as Piedmont Virginia Community College, without paying tuition.

According to PVCC’s dual enrollment website, 30 dual enrollment classes are currently offered, although the specific number available to students depends on which high school the student attends.

The “Opportunity to Learn” proposal would increase the number of classes community colleges offer to high school students while allowing those students to enroll as early as freshman year.

With his education agenda, McDonnell hopes to establish a written agreement with schools such as PVCC to specify a pathway allowing high school students to graduate with either an associate’s degree or one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies in addition to their high school diploma.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to attend a great school. We must raise the standards for students and teachers, and ensure our young people get the world-class education they need in every school, in every region of Virginia,” said Governor McDonnell.

The proposal would permit more high school graduates to enter college as third-year students, reducing the amount of money parents would have to pay for tuition.

“I wish they had thought of this earlier,” parent Renee Smith said.

Smith has already sent one son through college and is preparing for her youngest to start in the fall.

“If my son can graduate high school and start college as a junior, we could use the extra money to help him pay for an apartment or graduate school. That would give us the assurance that we could send him to a good school without paying an arm and a leg to do so,” said Smith.

Under the current requirements, an Albemarle High School student must be a junior or senior to enroll in dual enrollment classes at PVCC.

Freshmen and sophomores who want to take dual enrollment classes are considered on an individual basis and must obtain permission from the school system and PVCC President Frank Friedman.

The “Opportunity to Learn” proposal would open more classes to freshmen and sophomores.

“I think it’s a good idea, but freshman year is too soon. You can’t just jump into college-level classes when you first start high school. It’s like skipping a few years of your life,” AHS senior Maggie Wilson said.

The “Opportunity to Learn” agenda was presented to the General Assembly on Jan. 18 and was passed unanimously by the House of Delegates and the Senate.

It was then signed by the president on Feb. 28.

HB1184 states that each institution within the Virginia Community College System must develop written agreements specifying the option for students to complete an associate’s degree or one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies concurrent with a high school diploma.

These agreements must be submitted to the Chancellor of the VCCS and the Superintendent of Public Instruction by April 15, 2013.

The Virginia Community College System estimates 443 students throughout the state will choose to enroll in this program the first year it becomes available and anticipates 885 students will join each year.