Shiawassee Times

A new bill intended to expand Michigan high school students' access to educational advancement opportunities has headed to governor’s office for approval.

“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,” Rep. Ben Frederick (R-Owosso) said in a release from Michigan House Republicans.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Frederick and Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian), would enable high school students to be reimbursed for post-secondary classes taken during the summer. Current dual enrollment laws in the state limit eligibility for tuition reimbursement for classes taken outside the school calendar year.

Rep. Bronna Kahle | Michigan House Republicans

“We must be creative and proactive and give students every opportunity for future success,” Kahle said in the Michigan House Republicans release. “There are thousands of excellent jobs available in Michigan, and we must help our young people acquire the skills needed to fill them. The Legislature has worked hard to fill the ‘talent gap,’ and this plan expanding dual enrollment opportunities is another positive step in the right direction.”

Frederick expressed that the proposed law would not only help students educationally but also financially.

“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 said, according to Michigan House Republicans.

Frederick and Kahle’s plan received unanimous approval from both the Michigan House and Senate.

In response to standardized testing being interrupted due to COVID-19, the amended law would use a student’s GPA to determine if they can partake in dual enrollment courses for the upcoming school year. Eligible students must have more than a 2.5 GPA.