Funding to Expand Dual Enrollment

Arizona’s economy demands more educated talent, so we must continue to widen the path to education after high school for more students. Dual enrollment courses that award high school and college credit represent a critical part of that effort.

Helios Education Foundation and its partners applaud Governor Katie Hobbs for her commitment of $20.5 million for dual enrollment programming in her executive budget. These resources will help more students access dual enrollment courses, especially Latino students and students from low-income backgrounds. This investment will also enable more schools to offer dual enrollment or expand their existing offerings. More students getting a head start on college and careers will be a win for Arizona.

Students who take dual enrollment courses are twice as likely to continue their education after high school, but today, only one in four Arizona students participate in dual enrollment. Arizona can and must expand equitable access to these courses if the state is to make headway toward its ambitious college attainment goals.

We look forward to advocating for the governor’s proposed investment and encourage others to join us in the push to expand opportunity for Arizona’s students.