Gov. Polis declares Concurrent Enrollment Week in Colorado
Description: For a second year in a row, Governor Polis declared the third week of February as - Concurrent Enrollment Week in Colorado - today to encourage more students to take tuition-free college courses in high school.
Gov. Polis declares Concurrent Enrollment Week in Colorado
LA JUNTA — For a second year in a row, Governor Polis declared the third week of February as “Concurrent Enrollment Week in Colorado” today to encourage more students to take tuition-free college courses in high school. The largest provider of Concurrent Enrollment in the state, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is once again coordinating a month-long awareness campaign to showcase the benefits of the program and encourage students to sign up as they plan for fall semester.
Concurrent Enrollment, launched by the Colorado state legislature in 2009, allows high school students to take tuition-free, college-level courses that count toward their high school diploma and an associate degree or certificate. Starting as early as 9th grade, high school students enrolled in a public school, charter school, or board of cooperative services (BOCES) can participate if they meet district-specific criteria. Students may be required to pay for textbooks or additional course materials, but these costs are usually covered by the school district.
Otero College President, Tim Alvarez, said, “Concurrent enrollment is an exceptional option for rural students to participate in higher education and gain a head-start on their educational pathway. It is a very cost-effective opportunity for all students, and particularly for students from underrepresented populations. Every year, over 500 students from our service area enroll in concurrent courses, and they average almost 9 credit hours per year. The overall pass rate is nearly 90%. I would encourage all high school students and parents to visit with their high school counselor to explore whether enrolling in concurrent enrollment would fit with their educational objectives.”
Since the launch of the program, CCCS’s 13 colleges have become the state’s largest provider of Concurrent Enrollment, serving over 33,000 students, awarding more than 2,600 college credentials, and saving nearly $40 million in tuition costs each year. Students who take Concurrent Enrollment courses are more likely to continue their education and earn higher wages within five years than their peers, according to a CCCS report.
According to Hailey Bender, current Otero student, “The concurrent classes I took in high school allowed me to fast track into the Otero nursing program. I was able to take most of my pre-requisite courses during high school, saving my family a lot of money since I don’t qualify for financial aid. I will be able to graduate with my degree debt-free.”
To learn more about Concurrent Enrollment and how to register, visit CCCS’ Concurrent Enrollment webpage. There, educators, and partners can download promotional resources—including social media posts, flyers, posters and more—to raise awareness in their schools.
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