State Rep. Ben Frederick’s plan to improve dual enrollment access for students and ensure full eligibility for high school seniors in the upcoming school year is on its way to Gov. Whitmer’s desk following unanimous passage in the House and Senate today.

Under current dual enrollment laws, Michigan high school students may take approved postsecondary classes and are eligible for tuition reimbursement. Students taking classes in the summer months, however, are limited in reimbursement eligibility because the course must be within the school calendar year.

Frederick’s plan would amend state law to allow students, if approved by the school district, to also receive reimbursement for dual enrollment courses taken during the summer months when high schools are not in session.  This additional eligibility would be slated to begin in the summer of 2021.

The reforms also allow high school seniors seeking to participate in dual enrollment in the fall to be eligible with a GPA over 2.5 rather than the typically required SAT scores.  This change affects the upcoming school year only and is in response to the interruption of standardized testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s important to identify and eliminate roadblocks that discourage students from maximum participation in advancing their education, including the pursuit of college-credit eligible work during the summer months, if they believe that’s right path for them,” said Frederick, of Owosso. “This plan is also one component of needed solutions to bring relief to the student debt crisis by allowing more college credit attainment at the high school level.”

Frederick’s plan is part of a package of bills created in partnership with state Rep. Bronna Kahle, of Adrian.  

House Bills 4546-7 now move to the governor’s desk for an expected signature.

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