Fayette County schools unveils new, free dual credit program for high school seniors
Fayette County Public Schools students can earn college credit for free this summer under an expansion of dual credit unveiled by the school district, Bluegrass Community and Technical College and Eastern Kentucky University at a Monday news conference.
Dual credit allows high school students to simultaneously earn high school and college credit.
Beginning this summer, any Fayette high school student who wants to take a course at BCTC for dual credit can do so for free.
A partnership with Eastern Kentucky University will allow rising juniors and seniors from FCPS to complete one dual-credit course for free and take other courses at a reduced cost.
“Dual credit is an amazing opportunity for all students, and by investing more resources in postsecondary education and readiness, we are breaking down barriers that prevent some students from attaining a degree or pursuing career interests,” Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said.
The initiative is made possible in part by a $3.5 million investment from the Fayette County Board of Education to increase postsecondary readiness for high school students.
District officials said covering the cost of a course will allow students to explore an area that fits their interests and help increase the number of students graduating with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree or career certificate.
Students who earn 12 or more dual credit hours from BCTC while in high school, with a cumulative course GPA of 2.5, and choose to continue their full-time education at BCTC will receive half off tuition to complete their associate degree.
Koffi Akakpo, BCTC’s president and CEO, said this will not only permit these students to get a head start on their college credentials but also expose them to the college experience.
“Partnerships like these demonstrate EKU’s commitment to being a school of opportunity, and it is our goal that FCPS students will see firsthand what the Eastern experience is all about,” Aaron Baker, associate director of dual credit and transition services at Eastern, said.
Currently, Fayette students can enroll in over 200 dual credit courses with eight different public colleges and universities.
At a news conference, students from Fayette County’s STEAM Academy and Opportunity Middle College said dual credit had helped them.
Megan Bullock, a senior at STEAM, plans to become a chiropractor.
“I feel a lot more prepared going into college,” she said. “Cutting these two years (at BCTC) will allow me to get into my field quicker.”
Fellow senior Joyner Jikang of Opportunity Middle College said the teachers at BCTC “have been really helpful in my finding a path.”
Dual credit classes are available to any eligible Fayette high school student.
While some classes are available remotely, district leaders are working on solutions around transportation and other barriers that might prevent a student from attending classes on BCTC’s campus.
In addition, the district will cover the cost for interested teachers to become certified for dual-credit.
