Committee backs bill to expand dual‑enrollment access statewide

Representative Gina Ross presented House Bill 102 and a substitute that, she said, would require dual‑enrollment courses offered by local community colleges and universities for dual credit to be made available to eligible high school students. "The bill would require that local education agencies award high school credit for passing credits," Ross said, and she noted that "there would be no obligation to incorporate the dual enrollment into the standard curriculum of the LEA." The substitute adds four‑year colleges and universities to the dual‑enrollment process.

Committee members raised questions about academic standards, cost, access and outreach. Representative Woods said dual enrollment has been "growing at almost 20% year over year for the last several years across the state" and called the expansion financially and academically beneficial for students and families. Representative Smith asked about ensuring course rigor across providers; in response Neil Scott, vice chancellor for student success at the Alabama Community College System, said, "All of our colleges, with the exception of one, ... are regionally accredited by SACSCOC. So there is a certain level of expectation and standardization that is happening within the classrooms." Scott also said the state's workforce grant provides scholarships that make many community college dual‑enrollment options affordable for students, while universities determine scholarship policies for four‑year offerings.

Representatives discussed access logistics — on‑campus, virtual, or local high‑school‑based instruction — and noted that some colleges send instructors into high schools or credential high‑school teachers to teach college courses. Ross said the State Department of Education will prepare and distribute implementation guidelines "with input and in collaboration with the community college system and universities." Committee members emphasized the need for better marketing to make students and parents aware of dual‑enrollment opportunities.

The substitute was moved and seconded and adopted by voice vote; Representative Woods moved the committee give HB102 a favorable report, Representative Estes seconded, and the chair announced that "House Bill 102 is given a favorable report." The transcript does not include a roll‑call tally. The committee record as read in the meeting does not specify statutory changes to funding formulas; one member noted the need to preserve flexibility in the Education Trust Fund (ETF) language so campuses could remain competitive on pricing and scholarships.