Before you show up at our offices with torches and pitchforks, know this: I, too, believe the state-mandated, dual-enrollment program that allows academically qualified high school students to take college courses is a good thing for some in our community.
I’m all for capable students getting a jump on college, rather than sitting through high school classes that don’t challenge their intellect.
I fully embrace the idea that students who possess the drive and discipline to pursue an Associate of Arts degree while in high school should have that opportunity.
And I’m thrilled that students whose families might otherwise struggle to pay today’s tuition, even at our local state college, have the chance to pursue higher education.
So why might some of you take exception to this particular opinion column?
I don’t think taxpayers should pay for the college education of high school students whose families can afford it, especially with the Florida legislature now requiring school districts already operating under budget constraints to cover the costs of these dual-enrollment classes.
I’ll go a step further and argue that the dual-enrollment program should not be offered tuition-free to anyone.
Dual-enrollment classes for high school students should be paid for in the same way college students pay for their classes. Those who can afford them should pay their own way. Those who can’t afford them should apply for Pell Grants or other financial aid.
I mean, why should high school students get a pass?
And it’s not just high school students: Middle school students – yes, even sixth graders – are eligible to participate in the dual-enrollment program, as long as they meet the requirements.
“Some people have referred to it as Florida’s largest scholarship program,” said Anthony Iacono, Indian River State College’s vice president for academic affairs. “With the cost of college nowadays, if you graduate high school with an AA degree, you’ve saved a lot of money.”
Or spent a lot of money. Not their own money, but the school district’s money – funds that the school superintendent could’ve used to improve the quality of education throughout the district, particularly at our high schools.
That’s because the legislature, starting with the 2013-14 academic year, shifted the financial burden for dual-enrollment classes from the colleges to the school districts, making the program available to all qualified students, free of charge.
No tuition. No fees. Free books.
And what are the qualifications necessary to receive such generosity?
A high school student must have a B average and a guidance counselor’s endorsement.
So it’s not exactly a scholarship for academic excellence. It’s not based on financial need, either. It’s based mostly on age.
It’s easy money – which is why the dual-enrollment program has become wildly popular throughout the state over the past five years.
Iacono said IRSC expects 2,000 high school and middle school students from Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties to participate in the dual-enrollment program during the 2015-16 academic year.
Most of those students will take classes on IRSC campuses. St. Lucie County students are offered the convenience of taking dual-enrollment classes at their high schools, an option that significantly reduces the cost to the district.
High school teachers, who need advanced degrees to teach college courses, use IRSC textbooks and curriculums, and have their classes evaluated by an IRSC dean.
That option might soon be available to students in this county.
“Certainly, it’s something we’re seriously considering,” said Michael Arnett, director of career and technical education for the Indian River County School District. “We know we have some teachers who are qualified to do it.”
According to Arnett, the district projects 410 to 420 students will participate in the dual-enrollment program during 2015-16 academic year and anticipates a cost of $312,000.
The dual-enrollment numbers are based on participation in the program the past four years:
- 2011-12: 398 (194 seniors, 135 juniors, 52 sophomores, 18 freshmen).
- 2012-13: 460 (239 seniors, 129 juniors, 69 sophomores, 23 freshmen).
- 2013-14: 414 (191 seniors, 126 juniors, 71 sophomores, 26 freshmen).
- 2014-15: 412 (184 seniors, 145 juniors, 66 sophomores, 17 freshmen).
Those numbers don’t include private school and home-schooled students, however (they have to pay for their own books).
Michelle Abaldo, IRSC director of institutional advancement, put the total number of dual-enrollment students from this county at 610 in 2013-14 and 611 in 2014-15.
“Indian River County’s participation in dual enrollment has somewhat stabilized the past couple of years,” Abaldo said, “but we saw significant growth in the program in the five previous years.”
She said about 20 percent of IRSC’s dual-enrollment students graduate from high school with AA degrees.
For those wondering: The standard tuition rate at IRSC is $71.98 per credit hour, or roughly $2,600 per year. (That total doesn’t include the cost of books.)
Iacono said IRSC doesn’t collect fees, such as those for registration and labs, from school districts for dual-enrollment students.
“We think dual enrollment offers an incredibly positive experience,” Iacono said. “It allows students who need a more advanced curriculum in high school to seek the challenges they want and need. And at the same time, they’re making progress toward a college degree.
“We’ve found that most dual-enrollment students, including those who earn their AA degrees, continue their education, either at IRSC or at some other four-year college.”
Critics of dual-enrollment programs argue that some high school students are too immature to handle the rigors and responsibilities of college, and they drop the classes when they realize their grades might suffer.
Iacono, who also teaches at IRSC, rejected those arguments, saying dual-enrollment participants tend to be better-focused, more-disciplined, more-mature students.
Also, dual-enrollment students aren’t identified as such in class, he said.
They’re treated the same as other college students.
“To be a dual-enrollment student, you give up a lot,” Iacono said. “You don’t get a spring break. You miss out on pep rallies. You’ve got more responsibility.
“It’s not like high school,” he added. “Mom and Dad don’t get a phone call if you don’t go to class. It’s all on you.”
All, that is, except the cost.
The bill goes to the school district, which Iacono said gets some dual-enrollment funds from the Florida Department of Education. In fact, the DOE disputes claims that the program is an unfunded mandate.
“They’re very adamant that it’s a well-funded mandate,” Iacono said.
The state also appropriates funds to school districts on a per-student basis, and Arnett said some of that money can be used to cover dual-enrollment costs.
Though he concedes dual enrollment is an added expense, Arnett enthusiastically supports the program, which he believes is in the best interest of our students.
“It’s definitely attractive to the students, and it should be,” Arnett said. “The AA degree is transferable to any university throughout the state. That’s a big benefit to our students, and it’s not as much of a financial burden as some might think.”
But should it be a burden at all?
Back in January, during his State of the Union address, President Obama pitched a $60 billion proposal that would provide students two years of community college for free.
In so doing, he argued that a high school education was no longer sufficient for Americans to prepare themselves for 21st century jobs and for U.S. businesses to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
And, on the surface, it sounds like a terrific idea – free college – one that would be easy to get behind.
But why stop there?
If two years of free college is good, wouldn’t four years of free college be better?
What about free MBA programs?
Free law school? Free medical school?
You see where this is going?
Fact is, nothing is free. For somebody to get something for nothing – yes, even dual-enrollment classes – someone else has to pay for it. Too often, it’s the taxpayers.
And aren’t we already paying enough?
