Contact: Chris Chesrown
Media Relations Manager
480-731-8503

March 27, 2001

Dear Editor, Recently, Gay Garesche, a faculty member at Glendale Community College wrote an opinion piece highly critical of dual enrollment. She is, of course, entitled to her opinion but, since she criticizes Arizona's students as being academically unprepared for college, she should at least get her facts correct.

Dual enrollment is a good idea and a good program. High School juniors and seniors are able to receive credit toward high school graduation and college requirements. Students get a head start on college. Parents save money. The state gets a better-educated citizenry. Of more than 100,000 Arizona high school juniors and seniors, only11% took dual enrollment courses last year.

Ms. Garesche states that "it is a huge leap of faith" to believe that "high school honors or straight 'A' students" are capable of college work. It is sad that an educator holds this view of Arizona's students. The community colleges believe that such students are ready for college, that students should be encouraged to attend college and that dual enrollment gives them the opportunity to get better prepared for a successful college career.

She goes on to suggest that taxpayers pay twice for such students. She is wrong. High schools receive funds for each student taking four high school courses. If the student takes more than four courses the school does NOT get any additional state or federal funding. The Maricopa Community Colleges adhere strictly to the State Community College Board requirement that only students who are already taking a full high school load are eligible for dual enrollment courses. Therefore, the high school receives NO additional funds and yet the student can take college courses before high school graduation - clearly a win-win situation for students, parents and our state.

Ms. Garesche is familiar with this state board rule since she was on the legislative committee that recommended them. It seems appropriate for her, as an educator, to properly communicate what she knows to be true. The truth is that Arizona should not consider reducing funding for college courses but should consider greatly increasing such funding since community colleges provide high quality education at a cost well below the national average.

In today's economy and our changing world, we should encourage students to seek higher education, not castigate them or cast dispersions on their motives or their abilities. We should encourage parents, empower students and provide every opportunity for EVERY student to earn a college education. Perhaps it's time to build bridges for our students rather than roadblocks.

Sincerely,

Dr. Don Campbell

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March 13, 2002