NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Lehigh Valley community colleges have gotten more state funding to expand their programs that let high school students enroll in their classes.
Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College are among the first handful of institutions to get Dual Credit Innovation Grants.
The state Education Department established the funding program last year. It recently awarded $14 million in grants statewide to 15 institutions.
The two area colleges were awarded over $1.8 million, according to a release from state Sen. Lisa Boscola: $1 million to LCCC and $860,161 for NCC.
"This funding to our region’s community colleges, therefore, is a prudent investment to improve educational opportunities and achievement that allows students to better prepare for successful careers."State Sen. Lisa Boscola
Seven other colleges got $1,000,000, the highest amount awarded.
"Dual credit programs have been very successful in increasing college readiness, college attendance and college attainment," Boscola said in the release.
"This funding to our region’s community colleges, therefore, is a prudent investment to improve educational opportunities and achievement that allows students to better prepare for successful careers."
A webpage about the grant describes dual credit programs as ones that "allow high school students to take college courses and earn both college and high school credit."
The expansion will let more high school students sign up for dual enrollment programs, "giving them additional opportunities to chart their own course and prepare for successful careers," an LCCC release said.
Making students better prepared
In the 2023-24 academic year, nearly 2,400 students participated in dual enrollment courses on-campus or online.
NCC reports similar numbers, with more than 2,000 dual-enrollment students.
"Dual credit programs improve student outcomes by enabling students to take college courses and earn credits for both high school and college — while still in high school," the LCCC release said.
"These courses will allow students to explore different career pathways in high-priority occupations and gain knowledge and skills so they are better prepared for their transition to LCCC or the workforce upon high school graduation."LCCC release
The grant will help LCCC establish a "Dual Credit-to-Workforce Pipeline" program that prioritizes in-demand and high-growth careers in computer science, criminal justice, education, healthcare and technology.
In the pipeline program, students will complete general education — at their high school, online or at a campus location — and industry-specific courses.
Introductory courses in those fields also will expand through classes such as Medical Terminology, Introduction to the Criminal Justice System and Manufacturing, in addition to more "experiential learning activities," the release says.
Those opportunities would include demonstrations, simulations, presentations, job site visits, field trips and employer roundtables, the release says.
The release says LCCC will partner with schools and districts to identify specific courses, modalities and experiential learning opportunities.
"These courses will allow students to explore different career pathways in high-priority occupations and gain knowledge and skills so they are better prepared for their transition to LCCC or the workforce upon high school graduation," the release said.
'A future they choose'
In a release, state Acting Education Secretary of Education Carrie Rowe said the programs would help students get a head start on "college and career success."
"By investing in these opportunities, we’re helping more young people — especially those historically underrepresented in higher education — access in-demand courses that lead to credentials and careers our workforce needs," Rowe said.
"It’s about expanding opportunity and creating pathways to a future they choose."
Other grant recipients include:
- Kutztown University of Pennsylvania: $9946,951
- Bucks County Community College (Main): $1,000,000
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College: $1,000,000
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania: $576,066.74
- Harrisburg Area Community College (Wildwood): $808,454.13
- Erie County Community College: $1,000,000
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Main): $808,454.13
- Luzerne County Community College: $1,000,000
- Pennsylvania College of Technology: $1,000,000
- Community College of Philadelphia: $999,982
- Northern Pennsylvania Regional College: $1,000,000
- Pennsylvania Western University: $999,931
- Westmorland County Community College: $1,000,000
