NSHE and NDE Team Up to Push Dual Enrollment Opportunities
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) are partnering to develop policy recommendations that will expand equitable access to dual enrollment opportunities for high school students across Nevada.
A Dual Enrollment Task Force (Task Force) made up of stakeholders from across K-12 and higher education is meeting Thursday, December 17, 2020 to begin their work. The Task Force will be jointly chaired by Felicia Gonzales, Deputy Superintendent for Educator Effectiveness and Family Engagement at NDE, and Nate Mackinnon, Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges at NSHE.
Dual enrollment programs, which allow students to earn college credit while enrolled in high school, have proven highly effective in Increasing high school graduation and college enrollment rates. Despite broad opportunities for dual enrollment in Nevada, there are critical gaps in enrollment, specifically for students from low-income families, first generation college students, and students who are historically underserved. The Task Force is charged with making specific recommendations to the NSHE Chancellor and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction that address the key challenges to broad implementation of dual enrollment with a focus on ensuring equitable access.
“The greatest challenge we face in higher education in Nevada is improving student success outcomes,” said NSHE Chancellor Melody Rose. “We cannot underestimate the importance of creating a culture of higher education for our young people through the growth of our partnerships with our K-12 colleagues.”
State Superintendent Nevada Department of Education Jhone M. Ebert added, “Access to dual enrollment must be available to all Nevada high school students, regardless of their zip code or socio-economic background. By providing high-quality dual enrollment programming opportunities for all learners, Nevada will continue to prepare future-ready graduates who succeed in the workforce and engage in civic life.”
About NDE
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity and achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education, NDE impacts the achievement of more than half a million children and 30,000 educators.
