Requires certain school districts to enter into dual enrollment agreements with one or more institutions of higher education.
Impact
If enacted, A1073 will impact the educational landscape significantly by explicitly requiring school districts with high schools to create dual enrollment agreements. This change could facilitate a broader range of opportunities for students who participate in these programs, potentially reducing educational disparities among communities. Under this framework, eligible students will be able to access college-level coursework while still in high school, which is intended to better prepare them for post-secondary education and to improve overall graduation rates.
Summary
Assembly Bill A1073 mandates that specific school districts in New Jersey must form dual enrollment agreements with one or more public institutions of higher education. This requirement shifts the previous standard that simply allowed districts to enter such agreements by making it obligatory. The intent of this change is to enhance access to higher education for high school students and promote academic engagement at an earlier stage of their educational journey. By setting clear guidelines for inter-institutional agreements, the bill aims to streamline the process for students wishing to earn college credits while still in high school.
Contention
Notably, the bill addresses various aspects of dual enrollment policies, including provisions that ensure students are not excluded due to financial barriers. The requirement for agreements to detail course availability, student eligibility, and the rigor of the coursework is geared towards ensuring equitable access and maintaining high academic standards. However, discussions surrounding the bill may raise questions about the readiness of some school districts to implement these changes effectively, as well as concerns regarding the allocation of resources necessary to support dual enrollment programs and the implications for students who may not be prepared for college-level work.
Establishes "Dual Enrollment Grant Program" for NJ institutions of higher education to expand opportunities for students to earn college credits while in high school.
Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students.
Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students.
Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students.
Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students.
Revises Statewide transfer agreements for transfer of academic credit and reverse credit at participating institutions of higher education; establishes New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within Office of Secretary of Higher Education.
A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the sale of real property by school districts, charter school and open enrollment funding, and the participation in school activities by students enrolled in charter schools. (Formerly SSB 3157.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.