Bill Establishes Grants for Schools Empowering Students to Receive HS Diploma, Go on to College

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, US Senator Herb Kohl unveiled legislation that would reduce high school drop out rates throughout Wisconsin and improve access to college for low-income students.  Senator Kohl's Fast Track to College Act of 2008 would accomplish this by establishing a grant initiative for "early college high schools."  These are high schools that partner with a college to allow low-income students to simultaneously earn a secondary school diploma and up to two years of college credit, including an associate's degree – without having to pay any tuition.  The legislation is similar to the model established by the Gates Foundation's Early College High School Initiative, which since 2002 has started or redesigned almost 160 schools in 24 states and the District of Columbia. 

"The innovative concept of challenging students to live up to their potential is an investment worth making," Kohl said. "With this legislation, we do just that by establishing a resource for high schools to challenge students to accomplish more, graduate, and get on the fast track to a college degree and a well paying job."

Specifically, Kohl's bill would authorize $50 million for six-year grants to school districts for new or existing "early college high school" programs and another $50 million for other types of dual enrollment programs – participating schools need not be affiliated with the Gates Initiative to apply for these grants.  The Fast Track to College Act also would encourage partnerships with local businesses to provide career training and align the local educational system with area job opportunities.

The bill has wide support in Wisconsin among public school systems, colleges and state agencies, including Milwaukee Public Schools, Madison Public Schools, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the state's Department of Public Instruction.

"This generation will define what it means to be an American in the 21st century," said Wisconsin State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. "The Fast Track to College Act proposal from Senator Kohl is an excellent way to expand educational options for students so they are better prepared to continue their education or enter of the world of work in the increasingly competitive global economy."

"We are thankful for Senator Kohl's continuing efforts on behalf of students across the country and for the crucial assistance that the Fast Track to College bill will provide," said William Andrekopoulos, Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools. "We know that we have incredibly intelligent and able students throughout our school system who may have barriers in their lives that prevent them from seeing how truly valuable they are and how successful they could be in our larger economy. We are excited by the fact that with the Fast Track to College bill, school districts will have a greater ability to connect students to the larger possibilities in their lives and to help them ease the path to higher education and the opportunities that a post-secondary education provides."

Studies show many low-income youth drop out of high school because they do not see a practical reason for graduating, especially as a step toward obtaining a post-secondary degree.  These students often believe they will not be accepted by a college, cannot invest the time it takes to earn a degree and cannot afford to pay for it.  The Early College High School programs address these problems by offering these students the chance to get a head start on college, while saving time and money, and to get on track to attaining a degree or certificate – and ultimately a job.  Youth who drop out are more likely to experience negative outcomes such as unemployment, incarceration, and reliance on costly social services.  Conversely, adults with a bachelor's degree will earn two-thirds more than a high school graduate over the course of their working lives and are much less likely to experience unemployment or rely on social programs.  Though Wisconsin's overall high school graduation rate is significantly higher than the national average, some areas continue to struggle, such as Milwaukee, where less than half of enrolled ninth-grade students are expected to graduate.

Early evaluation studies of "early college high schools" being conducted through the Gates Foundation Initiative have shown students have stronger attendance rates, are more likely to be promoted to the next grade level, score higher on state proficiency tests, are more likely to be accepted to four-year colleges and receive substantial college credit upon graduation.

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