Many Pennsylvania students and their families are unaware of dual credit opportunities, eligibility requirements, or the benefits of participation.  I intend to introduce legislation to close this information gap so that every student can make an informed  choice about earning college credit in high school.

Dual credit programs are partnerships between secondary schools and postsecondary institutions that enable high school students to enroll in college courses and earn simultaneous academic or career and technical education credit that counts toward high school and college completion.

Dual credit is transforming American education by reducing the time and cost of postsecondary credentials.  Research demonstrates that students who participate in dual credit programs are more likely to enroll in college, persist in their studies, and complete a postsecondary degree.

Nationwide, a record 3.1 million high school students earned college credits in 2024-25, according to the Community College Research Center.  This represents a 10% increase over the prior year.  Pennsylvania is falling behind that pace.  Our participation only grew by 7.2%, to 58,162 students.  That is only about 1 in 10 of our roughly 550,000 public high school students, leaving nearly 500,000 Pennsylvania students without this proven strategy for college success, affordability, and workforce readiness.

My legislation aims to change that statistic by raising awareness.  The bill will:

• Require every school entity, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, to notify students in grades 8 through 12 and their parents or legal guardians about dual credit opportunities at least twice each year, ahead of course selection;  
• Require annual information sessions, in person or virtual, for students in grades 8 through 12 and their families;
• Set clear content standards so families receive complete information on eligibility, costs and financial aid, credit transfer, available courses, enrollment steps, support services, and student outcomes;
• Ensure that taking a dual credit course does not cost a student eligibility for athletics, extracurricular activities, or graduation ceremonies; and
• Establish accountability and transparency though annual school reporting and a public data dashboard.

Please join me in cosponsoring this comprehensive bill that provides a strong framework for increasing dual credit awareness to ensure every Pennsylvania student and family knows about dual credit opportunities.