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Superintendents urge changes to College Credit Plus, citing high costs and online rigor concerns
Summary
Superintendents testified in favor of House Bill 62, saying College Credit Plus places large, unpredictable costs on districts and that online CCP courses lack the rigor of in‑person instruction; witnesses presented district cost data and estimates of potential savings under the bill.
Superintendents from rural districts told the House Education Committee that House Bill 62 could reduce costs and improve educational quality in Ohio’s College Credit Plus (CCP) program.
Dawn Wallace, superintendent of Adams County Ohio Valley Schools, said her district’s CCP expenses were substantial last year. “Our total cost, for CCP without the textbooks was $421,000,” she said, and added the district spent $61,360.37 on textbooks that become the property of students.
The bill would require use of free open‑source textbooks when available and change how online courses are priced and administered, sponsors and witnesses said. Kyle Newton, superintendent of Warren Local Schools, said HB62 would align online-course reimbursement to the lower rate paid when a college professor comes to a high school campus, and estimated his district would save “more than a $100,000” under the proposed changes.
Witnesses argued online CCP courses have proliferated since the pandemic and often provide less classroom interaction, discussion and supervision than in‑person instruction. Newton said online coursework “does not provide the same rigor, quality, or engagement as traditional in‑person instruction,” and described administrative burdens—his district hired a halftime secretary to manage textbooks and coordination for more than 150 CCP students.
Committee members pressed witnesses on specific figures, asking how many students take online credits, where they complete coursework, and the fiscal share of these costs relative to district budgets. Wallace said Adams County has roughly 3,500 students and about 200 who take CCP online; she said online offerings have contributed to declining on‑campus participation and a leadership gap among students.
Witnesses also cited a December 2023 Auditor of State cost analysis, noting tuition revenue from CCP students often exceeds district instructional cost and that online provision has been financially advantageous to some institutions.
The committee did not vote on HB62 at the hearing. Sponsors and superintendents said they are open to follow‑up work with institutions of higher education, educational service centers and school districts to refine pricing, textbook access and operational details.
The committee received written testimony as well and adjourned without action on HB62; further hearings or amendments were not specified at the time of adjournment.
