Michigan Is Increasing College Credit Opportunities for High School Students

by Sam Sinicropi, Consultant, Office of School Improvement, Michigan Department of Education and Charlotte Koger, Former Consultant, Office of School Improvement, Michigan Department of Education

In August 2005, Michigan was selected to participate in the National Governors Association’s (NGA) Honor States Grant Program, financed with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This grant supports Michigan’s vision to develop and implement comprehensive plans for high school redesign and to increase the college-readiness of high school graduates. One important way to accomplish this is to explore ways to increase college credit earning opportunities for Michigan students.

Research clearly indicates that not only do high-achieving students benefit from early college credit opportunities, low-achieving students do, as well. Students who take college-level courses while in high school rarely drop out of school, require fewer remedial and entry-level college courses, and have a greater chance of graduating.

State Board Approved Recommendations for Increasing Early College Credit Opportunities

Leading the charge for educational reform, the Michigan State Board of Education has adopted numerous recommendations for increasing early college credit opportunities. These include the requirement that schools must offer students at least two college credit earning opportunities for the 2007-2008 school year (at least one of these opportunities includes an advanced placement (AP) course) and at least four such credits by the 2008-2009 school year (at least two of these opportunities include an AP course). The Board also recommended that at least six new “early college” high schools and “middle college” high schools be established in strategic locations by 2010. Subsequently, six high schools were awarded grants in September of 2006 to develop early college high schools that focus on health careers.

The Board also adopted recommendations related to how high schools communicate with students about early college credit. Evidence of college credit program opportunities and school-based offerings should be factored into each high school’s Education YES! report, and high schools are encouraged to produce brochures that outline available early college credit opportunities at colleges and universities in Michigan. In addition, districts are encouraged to provide all sophomore students with the opportunity to qualify for dual enrollment by administrating either the Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) or the PLAN examinations. Students may also qualify by receiving a qualifying score on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME).

MDE is also working to publicize, to students and their families, the Michigan Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers (MACRAO) Web site, and to collect data to determine the impact of the Postsecondary Enrollment Options and Career and Technical Preparation Acts on increasing dual enrollment participation, as well as the success of dual enrollment participants.

Statewide Comparison of Student Eligibility and Participation in Dual Enrollment Opportunities Over Time (combined totals of 11th and 12th grade students in Michigan's K-12 public schools)

Select image to view a larger version D

Progress and Challenges

Although work is not complete, progress is being made to increase college credit opportunities for high school students. For each of the past ten years, for example, the number of AP courses offered and students participating has increased. Dual enrollment data from 2001-2006 indicates a 23.62 percent increase in the number of students participating in dual enrollment, and a 72 percent increase in the number of eligible students.

To be eligible for postsecondary options, students must meet the following qualifications:

• Be enrolled in a high school class in Michigan.
• Be at least in the eleventh grade (or, if in a lower grade, be approved by the district).
• Have achieved a qualifying score in all subject areas of the MME or other state-approved readiness assessment, or in the subject area of the eligible course a student would like to take.
• Have taken all sections of the MME, ACT® PLAN, or College Board PSAT for courses in subjects without endorsements.
• Have not been enrolled in high school for more than four school years.

To ensure that students and parents are aware of dual enrollment opportunities, schools must let parents and students in grades 8-11 know about dual enrollment options by March 1 of each school year. It is also recommended that districts inform students and parents about other available college credit earning opportunities.

With the help of parents, educators, and other community leaders, all early college credit earning opportunity recommendations can be implemented in our schools.

For more information, contact: Sam Sinicropi, Consultant, Office of School Improvement, Michigan Department of Education, PO Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909, (517) 241-1162, sinicropis@michigan.gov.