Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced that $6.7 million in grant funding has been awarded to 100 school entities to enable more high school students to enroll in dual credit programs across the Commonwealth, giving them more opportunities to chart their own course and prepare for successful careers.
“Dual credit programs help high school students get a jump start on their postsecondary coursework, build their confidence, and set them up for future success,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “When Governor Shapiro talks about giving students the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunities to succeed, this is what he means. By expanding dual credit opportunities across the Commonwealth, we will help more students access these programs, become exposed to new opportunities, and begin to chart their own course to successful and fulfilling careers.”
The list of awardees is available on PDE’s website.
Dual credit programs improve student outcomes—helping learners prepare for college and setting them up for future success in higher education—by enabling them to take college courses and earn credits for both high school and college. Dual credit offerings improve academic achievement, high school graduation rates, college enrollment, and college completion rates.
Awardees will use up to $75,000 in grant funding to create or expand equitable and innovative dual credit opportunities for all secondary school students, including students experiencing educational instability, students enrolled in career and technical education programs, low-income students, and historically underserved student groups.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s inaugural budget proposal builds on his commitment to creating prosperous pathways for learners across the Commonwealth. The Governor’s proposed 2023-24 budget includes a $567 million increase in basic education funding and $60 million to support postsecondary education. This budget is the first step toward a comprehensive solution to improve our public schools, push education dollars out equitably, support our teachers, and invest in targeted solutions that meet students’ needs at every level.
To help every Pennsylvania student chart their own course, Governor Shapiro has also proposed a $17.3 million increase in Career and Technical Education in his 2023-24 budget, which includes a $3.3 million increase to the CTE Equipment Grant, $5 million increase to expand CTE programs related to computer science and STEM, and $2 million to partner industry professionals with teachers to help bring the trades back into our classrooms.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.
MEDIA CONTACT: Casey Smith, casesmith@pa.gov
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