The Higher Learning Commission recently announced new standards that could lead to a decrease in the number of dual-enrollment courses provided; these courses provide high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit to help with timely completion of post-secondary education and reduce student debt

In a letter to the Higher Learning Commission, Klobuchar urges the Commission to work with teachers and students to ensure the longevity of dual-enrollment programs across Minnesota

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar sent a letter today urging the Higher Learning Commission to work with Minnesota educators to ensure students have continued access to dual-enrollment courses. The Higher Learning Commission recently announced new standards that could lead to a decrease in the number of dual-enrollment courses provided. These courses provide students with the opportunity to earn transferable college credits in high school which will not only help with timely completion of post-secondary education but also help ease future higher education costs and reduce student debt. In a letter to the Higher Learning Commission President, Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley, Klobuchar urged the Commission to work with teachers and students to ensure the longevity of dual-enrollment programs across Minnesota.

“I share the Higher Learning Commission’s goal of ensuring the highest number of qualified teachers in our classrooms, but I’m concerned that the new credentialing requirements pose challenges that could lead to fewer dual-enrollment courses,” Klobuchar wrote. “For example, I have heard from teachers and principals in rural Minnesota who would have to travel long distances to attend a college or university in order to complete the necessary coursework. Under the new requirements, if teachers do not obtain the necessary credentialing before the 2017 school year, current high-caliber and experienced teachers who already instruct dual-enrollment courses would be prevented from teaching these courses.”

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear President Gellman-Danley:

I write to express concern over the Higher Learning Commission’s new policy that would change the standards for teachers who instruct dual-enrollment courses to high school students. I strongly support ensuring qualified teachers are in classrooms, but I am concerned that the new requirement could have the unintended consequence of limiting educational opportunities for high school students across Minnesota.

Dual-enrollment courses are vital to creating pathways to post-secondary education. For decades, local high schools in Minnesota have partnered with colleges and universities in the state to create courses that allowed students to earn both high school and college credit. In the 2014-2015 school year, 24,000 Minnesota students enrolled in dual-enrollment courses. These courses give students highly transferable college credits that can be put towards the timely completion of post-secondary education. With a national conversation occurring around college access and affordability, we should be looking to boost the programs that enable students to earn college credits while in high school, which can ease future higher education costs for students.

I share the Higher Learning Commission’s goal of ensuring the highest number of qualified teachers in our classrooms, but I’m concerned that the new credentialing requirements pose challenges that could lead to fewer dual-enrollment courses. For example, I have heard from teachers and principals in rural Minnesota who would have to travel long distances to attend a college or university in order to complete the necessary coursework. Under the new requirements, if teachers do not obtain the necessary credentialing before the 2017 school year, current high-caliber and experienced teachers who already instruct dual-enrollment courses would be prevented from teaching these courses.

I urge the Higher Learning Commission to collaborate with education professionals, parents, and students to ensure the long-term viability of dual-enrollment programs.  Thank you for your attention to this important issue that is so critical to the wellbeing of communities across Minnesota.

Sincerely,

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