Fine-tuning in works for early college courses

High school students taking college credit courses are saving the state $19 million, but the current concurrent enrollment program may need some change.

"Moderate changes will help us in preserving it but also in doing it right and making sure it's a quality program," said William A. Sederburg, Utah commissioner of higher education. After 20 years, the popularity of college courses available to high school students continues to grow as adjustments are being made at the state level.

Over the years, available courses have been pared down to ensure relevant, college-level quality class work is being taught and to make the best use of taxpayer dollars. Budget cuts threaten what classes are made available and where they are offered, but officials vow to keep them intact.

"It saves the individual student quite a bit of money as well as accelerates their transition into college," Sederburg said. Ideally, he said, the courses give students an idea of what is expected in college.

Rep. Brad King, D-Price, who works at the College of Eastern Utah, said the program actually hurts his rural campus, putting people as young as 14 in the sights for college enrollment, due to early college credit completion.

"It's a loser for the university," he said. "It equates a lost opportunity for us to retain a student, the FTE, as well as for the student."

Last year, more than 28,000 students took advantage of concurrent enrollment, earning nearly 200,000 credits before acceptance into a college or university. The benefit is to both the student, who doesn't pay for the college-level courses while in high school, and to the state, which then doesn't have to pay for students to take the same course in college.

"This is in the best interest to all of us as far as the future of our economy goes," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Patti Harrington, adding that other states are envious of Utah's program. She did, however, say the funding structure is in need of some fine-tuning.

"Concurrent enrollment is a great tool if it is done correctly and can lead to meaningful degrees and not wasted credits, while complementing the high school curriculum," Sederburg said.