Bill Text: NJ S2624 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Dual Enrollment Study Commission.*
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-12-19 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [S2624 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-S2624-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator STEPHEN M. SWEENEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Senator SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Requires school districts to provide dual enrollment program for college-ready high school students and provides for sharing of tuition costs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the establishment of dual enrollment programs and amending and supplementing P.L.2014, c.74.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2014, c.74 (C18A:61C-10) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. A school district with a high school [may] shall enter into a dual enrollment agreement with one or more public institutions of higher education.
b. A public institution of higher education, other than a State college which generally limits enrollment in its undergraduate programs to persons who are at least 21 years of age, shall enter into a dual enrollment agreement with one or more school districts with a high school.
c. A dual enrollment agreement between a public institution of higher education and a school district shall delineate the dual enrollment program pursuant to which instruction is provided to high school students through courses offered by the institution of higher education on its campus or on the campus of the public high school for college credit or credit toward a career certificate.
d. The dual enrollment agreement shall include:
(1) a description of the courses available to students eligible to participate in the dual enrollment program;
(2) a description of the student eligibility requirements for initial and continuing participation in the dual enrollment program, in accordance with the requirements established by the Secretary of Higher Education pursuant to section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and which shall include a provision that ensures that an eligible student is not excluded from participation because of an inability to pay;
(3) a description of the process by which a student and his parent or guardian exercise the option to participate in the dual enrollment program;
(4) a provision ensuring that any dual enrollment course taught on the high school campus is equivalent in rigor to courses taught on the campus of the institution of higher education;
(5) a description of the process by which a student and his parent or guardian are informed about opportunities for student participation in the dual enrollment program; and
(6) such other items as deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of Education and the Secretary of Higher Education.
(cf: P.L.2014, c.74, s.1)
2. (New section) a. A college-ready student enrolled in a public high school shall be eligible to earn up to 15 credits at a reduced cost through a dual enrollment program established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2014, c.74 (C.18A:61C-10). Under the program, the cost of tuition for up to 15 credits shall be borne equally among the school district, the partnering institution of higher education, and the student; except that in the case of a student who is eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch, the cost of tuition for up to 15 credits shall be borne equally between the school district and the partnering institution of higher education. The student may pursue additional credits within program guidelines at the student's own cost.
b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a school district from offering a credit or tuition benefit in its dual enrollment program that exceeds the requirements established in this section.
3. (New section) The Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall establish criteria to determine a student's college readiness for participation in the program.
4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the 2017-2018 school year.
STATEMENT
This bill implements one of the recommendations of the College Affordability Study Commission. Current law permits a school district with a high school to enter into a dual enrollment agreement with one or more public institutions of higher education. The bill amends current law to require a school district to enter into such a dual enrollment agreement. The bill further provides that a college-ready high school student will be eligible to earn up to 15 credits at a reduced cost through the school district's dual enrollment program. Under the program, the cost of tuition for up to 15 credits will be borne equally among the school district, the partnering institution of higher education, and the student; except that in the case of a student who is eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch, the cost of tuition for up to 15 credits will be borne equally between the school district and the partnering institution of higher education. The bill provides that a student may pursue additional credits within program guidelines at the student's own cost.
The bill directs the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, to establish criteria to determine a student's college readiness for participation in the program.
