In Louisiana, 41,000 students could no longer be enrolled in their current dual enrollment program. This comes as the proposed state budget is facing a shortfall impacting higher education.Jewel M. Sumner High School junior Meredith Childers is one of 27 Tangipahoa Parish students participating in an education dual enrollment program with Southeastern University. The program allows juniors and seniors to earn college credit, putting them on a faster path to becoming teachers.Childers says she enrolled in the class understanding the dire need for teachers. “It’s important to know that one day I will be able to be that person for somebody, and I can teach to those people and let them know that we do need more educators in our lives,” she said.During the first year of the partnership, six students in the program went on to major in education. It’s a grow-your-own approach to tackling the teacher shortage taught by Kati Spalane. Spalane herself chose a career in education after participating in dual enrollment. “Every teacher I know works way more overtime than they should to make sure those gaps are being filled. I mean, there’s even a sub shortage,” said Spalane.A possible $250 million higher education budget cut is threatening the program. The state’s commissioner of higher education, Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, says without state funding, universities could cut back on dual enrollment. Reed explains the shortfall would have an impact on campuses across the board.“You would see layoffs for faculty and staff, satellite campus closures, less access for student courses, less talent development; I mean, it’s a significant number,” said Reed.Reed says dual enrollment programs give minority students a shot at higher education and keep Louisiana citizens from taking jobs elsewhere. “In a state that has poverty and equity gaps, education gaps, we need more programs that are erasing gaps, programs that expand opportunity, and dual enrollment is certainly one of those programs,” said Reed. According to Louisiana budget committee members, higher education has seen more revenue over the last few years and that is why budget cuts are hitting the agency. The November special session on taxes is expected to address the shortfall. “If we correctly fund our state, then we are not coming back here having these conversations about budget reductions in higher ed or any other agency,” said Rep. Jack McFarland. The higher education budget will be finalized sometime in the summer.In the meantime, students and teachers at the Tangipahoa advance college and career center hope dual enrollment stays put. “Without education, we don’t have anything. Education is one of the most important parts of learning,” said Scott Herrington, senior at Jewel M. Sumner High School.Spalane says the program is helping make a career in education more desirable. “It is important that we are doing things like this that promote, and it should be encouraging, and teachers should be applauded because you know it is hard,” she said.
In Louisiana, 41,000 students could no longer be enrolled in their current dual enrollment program. This comes as the proposed state budget is facing a shortfall impacting higher education.
Jewel M. Sumner High School junior Meredith Childers is one of 27 Tangipahoa Parish students participating in an education dual enrollment program with Southeastern University. The program allows juniors and seniors to earn college credit, putting them on a faster path to becoming teachers.
Childers says she enrolled in the class understanding the dire need for teachers.
“It’s important to know that one day I will be able to be that person for somebody, and I can teach to those people and let them know that we do need more educators in our lives,” she said.
During the first year of the partnership, six students in the program went on to major in education.
It’s a grow-your-own approach to tackling the teacher shortage taught by Kati Spalane. Spalane herself chose a career in education after participating in dual enrollment.
“Every teacher I know works way more overtime than they should to make sure those gaps are being filled. I mean, there’s even a sub shortage,” said Spalane.
A possible $250 million higher education budget cut is threatening the program. The state’s commissioner of higher education, Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, says without state funding, universities could cut back on dual enrollment. Reed explains the shortfall would have an impact on campuses across the board.
“You would see layoffs for faculty and staff, satellite campus closures, less access for student courses, less talent development; I mean, it’s a significant number,” said Reed.
Reed says dual enrollment programs give minority students a shot at higher education and keep Louisiana citizens from taking jobs elsewhere.
“In a state that has poverty and equity gaps, education gaps, we need more programs that are erasing gaps, programs that expand opportunity, and dual enrollment is certainly one of those programs,” said Reed.
According to Louisiana budget committee members, higher education has seen more revenue over the last few years and that is why budget cuts are hitting the agency.
The November special session on taxes is expected to address the shortfall.
“If we correctly fund our state, then we are not coming back here having these conversations about budget reductions in higher ed or any other agency,” said Rep. Jack McFarland.
The higher education budget will be finalized sometime in the summer.
In the meantime, students and teachers at the Tangipahoa advance college and career center hope dual enrollment stays put.
“Without education, we don’t have anything. Education is one of the most important parts of learning,” said Scott Herrington, senior at Jewel M. Sumner High School.
Spalane says the program is helping make a career in education more desirable.
“It is important that we are doing things like this that promote, and it should be encouraging, and teachers should be applauded because you know it is hard,” she said.
