Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) applauded passage of their amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization that will encourage greater college access for low-income students by allowing them to earn college credits in high school. By providing students the opportunity to simultaneously pursue a high school diploma while earning college credits tuition-free, early college high schools and dual and concurrent enrollment programs improve secondary and postsecondary outcomes for students.
Video of Portman and Coons speaking on the amendment can be viewed here.
“There is no greater way to ensure a young person’s future success than a college degree,” said Coons. “Unfortunately, far too many low-income students are unable to complete a college degree because of hurdles outside their control – from high costs to complex application processes. I'm thrilled the Senate has come together to pass this amendment that will improve access to programs that make college more affordable and accessible, like dual and concurrent enrollment and early college high schools. This is a step in the right direction towards helping more students achieve the education they need for a bright future.”
“Too many low-income students face obstacles when deciding whether to pursue a college education,” Portman stated. “I’m pleased the Senate passed our amendment because it will allow these students to get a head start on college courses in high school, therefore improving their chances of completing a college degree. This is an important part of helping students be prepared for college so that they can eventually go on to graduate and have successful careers.
Despite recent increases in the nation’s high school graduation rate, the number of graduating students who place into remedial coursework in college is at a record high and more than 3.5 million jobs remain unfilled because employers cannot find workers with the necessary skills. The educational demands of the workforce are growing, and by 2018, two-thirds of the nation’s jobs will require at least some postsecondary education. The federal government must help states and districts tackle these challenges by ensuring increased access to high quality accelerated coursework that gives high school students a leg up on postsecondary education.