The federal government sees giving high school students college credit for advanced courses as a big win. Teachers unions see it as a job threat, so they are working to limit students’ potential.
By Hannah Schmid | Illinois Policy Institute
“Dual enrollment works.”
That’s what the U.S. Department of Education had to say about taking dual credit classes in high school and its positive impact on college success and reduction in the time – and cost – to get a college degree.
But teachers unions view dual enrollment differently. They see this advancement of students’ educations as a threat to jobs. Some are lobbying to limit students’ access to college credit in high school.
Unions oppose dual credit despite benefits to students
Dual enrollment is “one of many terms used to describe a program that allows high school students to take a college course and earn both high school and college credit,” the education department said.
Unions at an Illinois community college are opposing a bill that seeks to advance access to dual credit for high school students.
House Bill 5020 would amend the Dual Credit Quality Act and change how high school districts and community colleges partner to provide dual credit courses, as well as the standards for dual credit courses.
The full- and part-time faculty unions at Heartland Community College, both affiliates of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, formed a task force and reported on data related to the effect of dual credit courses on the community college.
Read more here.