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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Announces Initiative to Allow Students to Earn College Credit in High School
Three state education agencies partner to sign first dual credit agreement
LEXINGTON, Ky.– In a global economy where a well-paying job demands a high-quality education, Governor Steve Beshear today announced high school students may earn college credit under a new agreement among three state education partners.
“This agreement moves Kentucky closer to a seamless education system that prepares every graduate for a successful career,” Gov. Beshear said. “And it helps us motivate students to stay in school by increasing the relevance of their coursework, which allows them a direct path to a broad range of opportunities.”
The college credit agreement is a partnership among the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet’s Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE), the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
The agreement, one of the recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Transforming Education in Kentucky, will allow students in high school to earn both high school and college credit for approved career and technical education courses and general education courses. It was signed by Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Secretary Joseph U. Meyer, Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday and KCTCS President Michael B. McCall. It will be implemented for dual credit courses beginning fall 2012.
While these agencies have worked together for many years, this initiative marks the first time the three have partnered to provide dual credit opportunities for students in one comprehensive agreement. This collaboration illustrates the initiative’s goal to produce graduates better prepared for the world while also addressing a larger effort to increase the academic rigor of Kentucky’s career and technical education system. Improved career and technical education is a critical component of Kentucky’s college- and career-readiness goals.
According to the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, 67 percent of Kentucky high school students, or more than 140,000 pupils, were enrolled in career and technical education programs last year. Career and technical education – offering hands-on training in areas such as machine tool technology, health sciences, electrical technology and business administration – is provided at 219 high schools, 118 middle schools, 44 locally-operated centers or departments, and 53 area technology centers.
These programs not only can engage students at risk of dropping out but can also inspire all students to tackle and master more challenging courses, Secretary Meyer said.
“High school career and technical programs are essential for achieving state goals for graduating more students and graduating them ready for work, advanced training and college. These programs are best when joined with a college-ready academic core,” Secretary Meyer said. “Encouraging our students to explore technical careers and to further their education will hold long-term benefits for the Commonwealth as we better prepare our students for jobs in the new economy.”
Commissioner Holliday said the vision of the Kentucky Board of Education is to ensure that all students reach proficiency and graduate from high school ready for college and careers. The board’s vision is informed by a changing economy that requires schools to prepare students for a more complex and competitive workplace, he said.
“This agreement marks an exciting development in Kentucky’s push to prepare our high school students for college and careers,” Commissioner Holliday said. “Providing students with access to college-level courses while still in high school is a primary strategy in our plan to improve their college and career readiness, and this agreement provides a smooth pathway and strong system of support for that purpose.”
Because of its historical ties with the technical programs now part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, career and technical education programs, as well as general education courses are a fertile source of dual-credit opportunities, Dr. McCall said.
“This agreement is a prime example of KCTCS’ role in being the place where higher education begins for most Kentuckians,” Dr. McCall said. “Providing students with the ability to earn college credits in high school is just one way we are providing real career opportunities to Kentuckians and transforming the state’s economy.”
Since its founding in 1998, KCTCS’ statewide system of 16 colleges and 68 campuses has become the largest provider of postsecondary education and workforce training in the state, according to the agency.
With more than 108,000 students, KCTCS is the place where higher education begins by providing Kentuckians with a quality education that is both accessible and affordable, Dr. McCall said.
The dual credit agreement was announced today at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College – Leestown Campus. Gov. Beshear was joined by Secretary Meyer, Dr. McCall, BCTC President Augusta A. Julian and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray.
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