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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus |
  
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Shimkus' effort to help high schoolers get a jump on college moving forward
HARRISBURG, June 11 – A bill, introduced by state Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, that would increase the money available in the state budget for schools to expand their dual enrollment programs was approved by the House Education Committee today.
"Dual enrollment allows our brightest and most talented students to take college-level courses while they're still in high school," Shimkus said. "Giving these kids a taste of college could not only encourage them to get a degree but also saves them money because they start college with a few credits already under their belts."
Under House Bill 2430, state funds available for dual enrollment would increase by $2 million to $12 million in the 2008-09 budget.
Public schools’ share of the dual enrollment money for early college, middle college, high school and gateway programs would increase from 6 percent to 10 percent, allowing schools to include more students in the programs.
The money available for supplemental grant programs, which help lower-income students take college-level courses at their local colleges, would increase from 22 percent to 28 percent.
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