Detroit City Wire

Michigan is seeking ways to increase the number of students who earn college degrees, with advocates and educators pointing to expanded funding for dual enrollment as a possible solution. Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college courses, earning credits that can shorten their time and costs in higher education.

Renato Recillas, a recent graduate of Fenville High School, took advantage of this opportunity by enrolling in early middle college classes at Lake Michigan College. His high school covered tuition, books, and fees. As a result, Recillas graduated with an associate degree and will enter the University of Michigan with 61 credits, potentially saving nearly $40,000 on his bachelor’s degree.

“I feel very grateful, very proud and just very happy,” said Recillas. “But it wasn’t easy. I had orientation (recently) and got to wander around the campus. I thought: ‘What I worked for has led me to this.’”

Despite these benefits, only about 7% of Michigan public high school students participated in dual enrollment during the 2022-23 academic year—placing Michigan among the bottom ten states nationally for participation rates according to Columbia University data.

Research shows that students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to enroll in postsecondary institutions within a year of graduation compared to those who do not—77% versus 55.8%. Advocates argue that expanding access could help meet Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s goal for 60% of residents to have a degree or skills certificate by 2040; currently, only about 51.8% have done so.

Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association, said current funding models create barriers because schools must use per-pupil state funding meant for various expenses: “It creates a huge disincentive from promoting dual enrollment.”

Advocates want lawmakers to allocate $62 million statewide for dual enrollment programs as part of this year’s budget negotiations. Johnson noted that while private schools have received annual appropriations between $3 million and $3.5 million for similar programs since 2012, there is no comparable funding stream for public schools.

Brian Broderick from the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools supports expanding such funds: “We want to get more kids with college credentials,” he said. “It makes it easier.” He questioned why proposed budgets from the governor and Senate do not include appropriations supporting private school student participation in dual enrollment while the House budget does.

Supporters also point out broader impacts: research indicates that dual enrollment can especially improve outcomes among Black and Hispanic students—groups underrepresented in higher education—and save money on state scholarship programs like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.

Greg Handel, chief education and talent officer at the Detroit Regional Chamber, echoed calls for changing how dual enrollment is funded: “The existing model provides a huge financial disincentive for districts to enroll students at scale,” he said. “We’re interested in how we get more kids in dual enrollment because we know there is a positive relationship between dual enrollment and students, especially low income and first generation students.”

Handel also noted that nearby Indiana ranks among top states for student participation due partly to alternative funding sources covering tuition costs rather than relying on K-12 budgets: “There is no reason we should be taking that much of a back seat to Indiana,” he said.

John Fink from Columbia University’s Community College Research Center added that national growth has occurred mainly where states have increased investment—such as Texas or California—rather than requiring local districts’ operational budgets cover tuition expenses.

A recent pilot project at Schoolcraft College provided evidence supporting advocates’ claims. With $1.2 million secured by State Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), five participating districts saw dual enrollment rise by 31% over one semester—and by 90% compared with two years prior—with over 5,300 credit hours earned collectively.

“Lo and behold, now that the K-12 superintendents knew that there was not going to be a budget impact, they were all about marketing this to their students,” said Glenn Cerny, president of Schoolcraft College.

Senator Polehanki emphasized continued need: “Our public schools…should be able to implement dual enrollment without having to dip into their per-pupil funding allowance.”

Superintendent Ric Seager from Watervliet Public Schools reported similar results after increasing support services alongside promotion efforts; participation grew fourteen-fold since 2019 but cost his district nearly $400,000 annually—a burden he believes should be addressed through separate state funds rather than existing operating budgets.

“It’s important to be investing in this,” Seager said. “Does it hurt? Yes…It would be nice to have a different funding stream for this…It helps them realize they can achieve their dreams.”