DWD Awards Dual Enrollment Training Grant to Lakeshore Technical College

Dual enrollment training provides tech college training to high school teachers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

10/08/2018

CLEVELAND, WI —

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has awarded a Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) Dual Enrollment Grant to Lakeshore Technical College in the amount of $255,000.

New program standards 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 dual enrollment courses.

LTC’s grant will cover training a minimum of 63 high school teachers toward certification of Higher Learning Commission Dual Enrollment standards. LTC will work with teachers from eight school districts in their service area.

Thirty-two teachers will receive master's level credits toward HLC certification for teaching dual enrollment in general studies courses. Course Competencies for career and technical education instruction will be offered in approximately 45 unique courses representing business and technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and health educational areas.

“Students who complete college credits while in high school are more likely to enroll in college and, once enrolled, do better than their peers who did not earn college credits in high school. This funding will make sure high school students have long-term access to earning college credits taught right in their high school by the teachers they know best,” said LTC President Dr. Paul Carlsen.

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 students, dual enrollment provides Wisconsin's youth the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, a cost and time saver for Wisconsin's families. Students that are able to take on college-level courses while in high school are better prepared for the rigor of post-secondary education.

"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," said DWD Secretary Ray Allen. "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."

A total $3.6 million was awarded to 14 technical colleges that will serve 209 school districts and more than 1,000 high school teachers across Wisconsin. These teachers will be trained or certified in their area technical college's relevant subject areas.