News Release: Catholic Conference Applauds Dual Enrollment Push in S.O.S. Speech

(Lansing)—Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy Tom Hickson made the following comments this evening after Governor Snyder urged the Michigan Legislature during the State of the State Address to pass dual enrollment legislation:

“Expanding dual enrollment options is a win-win for all of those who are interested in providing greater choice in education for parents and their children. Further, the legislation eliminates unnecessary burdens, some say discriminatory policies, that have impeded educational progress for non-public school students. Governor Snyder is to be applauded not only for calling on the Legislature to pass this legislation, but also for his efforts to empower parents with additional educational tools that best fit the choices of the family and the student.”

Dual enrollment is a long-standing state policy that allows high school students to enroll in a post-secondary institution class while still enrolled in high school. Current policy mandates non-public school students to first enroll in a non-core class in the local public school district before dual enrolling at the post-secondary school. The legislation would eliminate that barrier as well as expand the number of dual enrollment classes in which any student may enroll. The policy changes are included in Senate Bills 622, 623, 709 and 710.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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