Experts Showcase Emerging Trends & Innovation in Concurrent Enrollment at NACEP’s Annual Conference

(From the NACEP press release)

Over the course of three days, 500 educational leaders from 42 states convened for the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships’ (NACEP) national conference, Navigating Changing Tides in College Readiness.  NACEP’s national conference is the premier destination for concurrent and dual enrollment practitioners, college officials, high school leaders, policymakers, and researchers interested in creating an effective academic bridge between high school and college. The conference opened with speeches from Sheri Ranis, Strategy Director of the Lumina Foundation and Matt Gianneschi, Vice President of Policy and Programs at Education Commission of the States, who spoke on emerging trends in college transition and state policy.

In an otherwise divisive political environment, the benefits of dual and concurrent enrollment continue to be supported by both sides of the aisle.  Education committees in both the U.S. House and Senate unanimously passed amendments this summer supporting dual and concurrent enrollment during debates over the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.   President Obama has encouraged dual and concurrent enrollment programs in his college affordability plan as “innovative new ways to prepare our students for a 21st century economy and maintain a high level of quality without breaking the bank.”

Other featured speakers highlighted challenges to the success of such programs. Florida's changing funding and policy environment were highlighted by Florida education leaders, including Matthew Bouck of the Florida Department of Education, Provost Judith Bilsky of Florida State College at Jacksonville, and Superintendent Nikolai Vitti of Duval County Public Schools.  In the state where NACEP’s national conference is being held, state legislators recently shifted the costs for dual enrollment programs from the community colleges to the school districts, causing many school districts to scramble to find funds to continue their programs.

Even so, NACEP remains hopeful for the future of concurrent enrollment around the country. “Educators return to NACEP’s conference year after year to learn new strategies for successfully transitioning students to college.  Speakers such as Dr. Melinda Karp from Columbia University challenge us to develop programs for first-generation college students that feature authentic opportunities for students to learn the behavioral expectations of college in addition to exposure to the academic rigors of college classes,” stated NACEP Executive Director Adam Lowe.
NACEP’s President Sandra González, Associate for Continuing Education at Schenectady County Community College stated, “The latest national figures show the phenomenal growth in dual and concurrent enrollment, with 1.4 million high school students enrolled in college classes, NACEP’s annual conference offers its members, friends and supporters the opportunity to share their opportunities and challenges to help high school students jumpstart their post-secondary careers.” Attendees had the opportunity to discuss the latest innovations and practices in the field, cutting-edge research, and national trends and legislation for the sake of improving their programs and further helping students gain access and succeed in college.

At the conference, NACEP President González introduced the newest members of the Board of Directors:
•Governmental Relations Committee Chair: Doug Binsfeld, Central Lakes College (MN)
•Four Year Public Institutional Representative: Tim Stetter, University of Washington
•Secondary School Partners Committee Chair: Dr. Joni Swanson, Mt. Vernon Public Schools (WA)

For more information, contact:
Kimberly Mobley, Director of Communications & Member Services
(919) 747-2699 or kmobley@nacep.org

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About the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships:  
 

NACEP works to ensure that college courses offered by high school teachers are as rigorous as courses offered on the sponsoring college campus.  As the sole accrediting body for concurrent enrollment partnerships, NACEP helps these programs adhere to the highest standards so students experience a seamless transition to college and teachers benefit from meaningful, ongoing professional development.  To advance the field and support its national network of members, NACEP actively shares the latest knowledge about best practices, research, and advocacy.

www.nacep.org
Advancing quality college courses in high school