The Shadow
RICHMOND, Va. (VR) – Virginia, along with six other states, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington, has been chosen by the College in High School Alliance (CHSA) to develop and implement policy plans that will further their role as national leaders in dual enrollment.
Dual enrollment, which allows high school students to take college courses and earn college credit while still in high school, is on the rise in Virginia and around the nation. For its part, Virginia will be focusing on improving access to dual enrollment. “We want to do it well and we want all students to have access to it,” said Dr. Micol Hutchison, Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Policy and Instructional Support Services at the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).
Some of the primary challenges facing dual enrollment are transportation, public awareness of its benefits, and a lack of qualified faculty to deliver the programs.
Next month, VCCS will send a team of four representatives, headed by Hutchison, to Philadelphia, PA where they will meet with coaches to understand and address those challenges.
Under the two-year project, each of the participating states will receive tailored technical assistance and funding from CHSA to advance policies that maximize the benefits for dual enrollment students, particularly those from underrepresented populations.
Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera said the state was eager to participate in the project. “This is a fantastic opportunity to refine and expand our dual enrollment programs, particularly in rural communities where access to higher education is limited,” she said.
The initiative will strengthen Virginia’s existing dual enrollment partnerships between high schools and community colleges. “This selection validates Virginia’s commitment to creating seamless pathways between K-12 and higher education,” said Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce Programs Dr. Felicia Ganther. “By expanding dual enrollment opportunities, we’re helping students accelerate their academic progress while reducing college costs.”
The project is being funded by a grant from the CHSA.
