Colleges urge dedicated K–12 funding to expand dual enrollment and early middle college programs

Chris Petrino, president of Gogebic Community College, and Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association, told the House Appropriations Subcommittee that dual enrollment and early middle college programs improve college readiness and reduce time and cost to a credential but that current funding mechanisms disincentivize K–12 participation.

Petrino, who previously worked as a K–12 superintendent, said dual enrollment "gives students that option" to pursue college-level work and career exploration in high school and stressed the benefit to rural districts with limited resources. He supported proposals to…