New Jersey Assembly Bill A1073

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

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.