For Immediate Release
November 16, 2001
Contact: John Hammond, Director of Public Relations, 210/733-2147, jhammond@accd.edu
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Dual Credit Law Change Creates New Opportunities
for Students
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| Last summer, the Texas Legislature passed legislation to allow students
at private high schools or those who receive home schooling to participate
in college dual credit instruction at no cost. Previously, these students
had to pay full tuition, while public school students could take dual credit
courses for free. For high school students, this means more opportunities
for higher education, and at San Antonio College this change also has meant
an increase in enrollment. Dual Credit Benefits “There are several benefits of dual credit courses,” said Ruben Flores, dean of Evening, Weekend, and Distance Education. He explained, “High school students can take courses that will at the same time count toward their high school degree and are also transferrable toward a college degree. It also looks good on their transcript (proving to prospective college admissions officers that they can handle college-level coursework), and now it is also free for anyone who wishes to take dual credit courses.” Dual credit instructors must be qualified to teach a dual credit course, which means a minimum of a master’s degree in the field, and the range of subjects is as varied as any college curriculum. Growth in Dual Credit San Antonio College has already seen a growth in overall dual credit enrollment this semester, with a Fall 2001 enrollment of 1,543 dual credit students, compared with 1,119 enrolled for Fall 2000 courses (an increase of nearly 28 percent). Because some of these courses are available on the Internet, the reach of San Antonio College dual credit opportunities has extended as far south as Brownsville and as far east as Nixon-Smiley High School. For more information about San Antonio College dual credit courses, contact Fabian Cortez at 733-2475. |
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1300 San Pedro Ave. • San Antonio, Texas • 78212-4299 • (210) 733-2147 |