It is no secret that modern-day high school students are increasingly skeptical about the value of higher education. In their view, after all, the world of college is largely unfamiliar, and many students are hesitant to invest the necessary time and money if they have any doubts about college being the right choice.
But what if there were a process in place to reduce both the time and cost of completing a college degree? What if there were a tool that gave students an in-depth exploration of the college experience before they even earn their high school diploma?
You might be surprised to learn that this solution not only exists, but is utilized by roughly 1.5 million high school students throughout the nation. The solution, of course, is dual credit, an arrangement that allows qualified high school students to enroll in college courses and simultaneously earn credit for both levels of education.
At its core, dual credit serves as an accelerated career pathway by providing students a head start to a college degree. By participating in these programs, students take courses that satisfy their high school graduation requirements while also counting toward college completion. Dual credit also allows students to explore and make informed decisions about their career interests, all while gaining confidence that they are capable of post-secondary success.
With the dual credit format through Lake Land College, students and their families have the opportunity to save on courses that might otherwise cost thousands of dollars at a university. Students in schools participating in the Effingham Regional Career Academy (ERCA) can enroll in several select Lake Land dual credit courses for free for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters. Additionally, students who qualify for Illinois’ Free and Reduced-Priced Meal program are eligible to enroll in most of Lake Land’s dual credit courses at zero cost, helping ensure equitable access to quality education to all students, regardless of background.
Lake Land’s dual credit courses are offered in multiple formats. Most commonly, the classes are conveniently offered at the student’s own school and taught by high school teachers who are qualified to teach college-level courses. In a second format, specialized classes are taught on-site by Lake Land instructors to provide opportunities for hands-on learning and exposure to Lake Land’s state-of-the-art technology.
Research on dual credit programs show increased educational advancement rates among participating students. In 2021, 73% of Illinois students enrolled in dual credit continued their education by attending college, according to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). It is evident that dual credit partnerships help empower students to succeed and equip them with greater confidence to continue their education.
At Lake Land College, we are continuously seeking opportunities to expand dual credit opportunities. This fall we will introduce a new course in the high-demand field of Emergency Medical Services in addition to our traditional general education offerings in subjects such as composition, literature and speech.
Recently, we have seen encouraging statewide support for the development of dual credit programs. We are excited about our most recent grant from the ICCB, which will help us provide schools with essential textbooks and instructional materials while also covering professional development costs to allow high school teachers to become qualified dual credit instructors.
Moving forward, we are excited to find new ways to leverage our dual credit programs and help make a college education available to all students. I look forward to discussing the increasing significance of dual credit throughout our communities and the role it plays in supporting a skilled and educated workforce.
Josh Bullock is president of Lake Land College