|
Brightbill Introduces "Opportunities for Educational Excellence
Act"
HARRISBURG -- Senator
David J. Brightbill (R-48) has introduced legislation designed to increase
educational opportunities for hard-working high school students.
Senate Bill 150, known as the
“Opportunities for Educational Excellence Act,” would allow students to earn
high school and college credit simultaneously by completing college courses
during high school.
“The cost of higher education
is one of the biggest challenges facing parents today,” said Sen. Brightbill.
“The Opportunities for Educational Excellence Act will help to address that
concern by providing some state funding for these courses, and also by allowing
students to earn college credits earlier -- when they are less expensive.”
Under the Opportunities for
Educational Excellence Act, a partnership would be established involving the
state Department of Education, school districts, and colleges and universities.
The partnership would work to implement “dual credit” programs statewide. It’s
believed that fewer than 20 percent of Pennsylvania’s schools currently operate
a dual credit program, and even fewer are truly active in this area.
“Many excellent students are
not being pushed to reach their full potential,” said Sen. Brightbill. “By
ensuring that high school students who meet certain criteria -- for example,
having a grade-point average acceptable to the college at which coursework will
take place -- can truly stretch themselves academically, we will be better
preparing them for the future.”
The Pennsylvania Department of
Education is working with Senator Brightbill to further develop the
Opportunities for Educational Excellence Act as it moves through the legislative
process.
# # #
|
