WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) introduced legislation Thursday to help more low-income students access and complete a college education. The Fast Track to College Act supports state and local efforts to implement early college high schools and other dual or concurrent enrollment programs that enable students to start earning college credits while in high school – free of cost. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

“A college education is a critical piece of the American Dream,” Senator Coons said. “For too many students, high tuition costs put a college education – and the lifetime of opportunities it creates – out of reach. The Fast Track to College Act offers an innovative solution by supporting and expanding programs that allow students to earn college credit – and even an Associate’s degree – for free. If we want to see more of our students earning college degrees, we have to invest in programs that make college more affordable and accessible. The Fast Track to College Act will help make the dream of college a reality for more Americans, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make it law.” 

“As the cost of college continues to rise, we need creative, commonsense solutions to ensure that college stays within reach for every student who wants to pursue it,” Senator Hagan said. “The bill Senator Coons and I introduced today will help students get a jumpstart on a college degree, saving them time and money once they walk onto campus and better preparing them to succeed in college coursework. College shouldn’t be a pipe dream, and I will continue working to make college more affordable and accessible for students in North Carolina and around the country.”

The Fast Track to College Act would authorize a competitive grant program to establish and support early college high schools and other dual and concurrent enrollment programs serving low-income students. Early college high schools are schools designed so students can earn both a high school diploma and an Associate’s degree or up to two years of credit toward a Bachelor’s degree – tuition free. 

“At Early College High Schools such as the new ECHS @ DSU students have the opportunity to complete 30-60 hours of college credits tuition free while enrolled in high school, thus cutting their college costs by as much as 50 percent,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, President of Delaware State University. “The Fast Track to College Act has the potential to be a vital piece of a multi-pronged approach to reign in the costs of higher education long term. We are appreciative to Senator Coons for thinking of creative ways to reduce the costs of college education and working to ensure that our nation’s students are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century.” Senator Coons attended the launch of ECHS @ DSU earlier this month.

“Innovative Schools is proud to support the Fast Track to College Act,” said Matt Swanson, Executive Chairman of Innovative Schools, a non-profit resource center for Delaware public schools. “Our support of this bill directly aligns with our vision to push the boundaries on education, promote proven alternatives to traditional classroom environments and break down barriers for students in their goals towards higher education.”

Research has shown that early college high school students are significantly more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in college, and earn a college degree than other students. Among early college students, 90 percent are awarded a high school diploma, and 30 percent earn an Associate’s degree or other credential simultaneously with that diploma. 

Specifically, the legislation would:

  • Authorize six-year grants to partnerships of school districts and institutions of higher education to support new or existing early college high schools or other dual and concurrent enrollment programs which allow students to earn a high school diploma and one to two years of college credit, including an associate’s degree – tuition-free.
  • Authorize five-year grants to states to provide planning, technical assistance, community outreach, data collection and evaluation, and other support services to early college high schools and other dual and concurrent enrollment programs.
  • Ensure students are equipped with skills needed to succeed in a 21st century economy by encouraging cooperation between schools, colleges and universities, nonprofits, industry, and labor.
  • Evaluate student outcomes by requiring the Secretary of Education to conduct an independent evaluation of the program.

The legislation has been endorsed by Delaware State University, Innovative Schools, National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Bard College, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Jobs for the Future, Alliance for Excellent Education, IBM, and Middle College National Consortium.