| SENATE MAJORITY OFFICE State Capitol
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News Release
June 23, 2011
CONTACT: Molly Woon (503) 986-1074
Legislation will give Oregon students a running start on college
SB 254 establishes state standards to allow students to earn dual credits
SALEM – The Senate approved a bill this afternoon that will give high school students a jump on college credits and expenses by requiring school districts to provide or ensure access to accelerated college credit programs, also referred to as “dual credit” courses. Dual credit courses are those in which a high school student earns both college and high school credits.
“This will help families save thousands of dollars on a college education,” said Senator Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), chair of the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee. “When a college freshman shows up with credits in the bank, they’re not just better prepared, they’re saving money down the line.”
Dual credit courses can be offered at high schools as well as colleges and universities. This includes Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes in Oregon high schools and programs that allow students to attend local community colleges or universities while still enrolled in high school.
“This is a major piece of the Legislature’s work to reform higher education in Oregon. This bill will help expand access to college, especially for first generation college students and other students who face challenges transitioning to higher education after high school,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “For some students, getting college experience in high school makes the move to college or university a lot more realistic and manageable.”
Senate Bill 254 is the product of a higher education workgroup that was appointed last summer and led by Hass and Representative Tobias Read (D-Beaverton). It is one of three key recommended legislative proposals from that group. SB 242, a landmark restructuring of the Oregon University System, was approved by the Senate last Friday and awaits a vote in the House. Another, SB 253, puts in statute Oregon’s goal to raise education levels of adults to meet a “40-40-20” standard by the year 2025. That bill was approved by the House Tuesday. SB 254 now goes to the House for consideration.
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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit www.orsenatemajority.org