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Board recognizes Joliet Junior College '12 by 12' dual‑credit initiative, foundation funds local scholarships
Summary
School board heard a presentation from Joliet Junior College on its '12 by 12' dual‑credit initiative and the JJC Foundation's $500 enrollment incentives for students who complete 12 dual credits by 12th grade; Minooka High School led local participation in the program's first year.
Joliet Junior College representatives presented the college's "12 by 12" dual‑credit initiative to the Minooka Community High School District 111 Board of Education, describing a program that aims to allow eligible high school students to earn 12 college credits by the end of 12th grade at a cost of $12 per credit. The presentation noted a related state signing: Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an updated Dual Credit Quality Act, which presenters said frames current statewide dual‑credit discussions.
The district was told the initiative applies to roughly 40,000 eligible students in the college's service region. In the program's first year, Minooka Community High School District 111 had the most local participation, with 525 students who collectively earned 2,265 college credit hours, presenters said. The JJC Foundation has set aside incentive funding: students who complete 12 dual credits receive a $500 enrollment check to use at JJC; nearly 200 students used that scholarship in the program's first year.
JJC speakers framed dual credit as a route to college access and reduced college costs, describing English 101 at $36 under the $12‑per‑credit arrangement. The presenters also credited coordination with local superintendents and school boards for driving participation across seven counties and 26 high‑school districts in the region.
Board members did not take formal action on the presentation. Trustees posed no formal objections and joined presenters for a short photo opportunity following remarks.
Why it matters: District and college officials said the program increases college access and can reduce first‑year college costs for students who earn credits in high school. Locally, Minooka High School led participation metrics in year one, which board members and presenters presented as evidence of strong local engagement.
