Dual Enrollment Opportunities Are Growing!

As a young student, it might be hard to envision college and what it may look like, but Moraine Park is working hard to make it possible for students to get a jump start on their college education.

Moraine Park Technical College was recently awarded a $275,000 Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) Dual Enrollment Grant from The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

Dual enrollment is an opportunity for students to earn college credits in high school. This program helps to save money and time, and it allows students to become acclimated to post-secondary education.

The grant will be used to train a minimum of 71 teachers toward certification of Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Dual Enrollment standards. Moraine Park will work with teachers from 21 school districts in their service area. At least 14 teachers will receive credits toward higher education classes, and a minimum of 57 teachers will work towards certification in programs of study specific to trades, manufacturing, healthcare, business, information technology, human services, and culinary arts.

“Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Fast Forward program is investing in high school teachers, ensuring innovative dual enrollment programs continue to prepare students for high-demand jobs in growing industries,” Ray Allen DWD secretary said. “This funding supports students’ access to post-secondary education while still in high school, accelerating their transition into the workforce and reducing the cost of receiving a higher education.”

Moraine Park Technical College currently offers dual credit opportunities at 25 high schools within the College’s district. New program standards now require technical colleges to match the quality and integrity of dual enrollment programs with credits offered at the institution, including the credentials of high school instructors who teach the dual enrollment courses. The 3.6 million dollars in funding will benefit 14 technical colleges and over 1,000 high school teachers across Wisconsin.

“Dual Credit programs are essential to the growth of our economy,” Bonnie Baerwald Moraine Park Technical College president said. “This grant will allow us to continue to collaborate with our local school districts and help high school students plan for their college education and future career.”

The Wisconsin Fast Forward program encourages increased collaboration between Wisconsin’s workforce, employers, local or regional economic development organizations, workforce development boards, post-secondary institutions, and private training providers to develop and execute business-led training programs.

For more information on the WFF Dual Credit Enrollment Grant, visit https://dwd.wisconsin.gov.

For more information on Moraine Park programs, like dual credit, visit morainepark.edu.