Gov. Perdue announces community college credit program for NC high school students

CORRECTION: The original version of this story incorrectly stated that 300,000 high school students in the state earn college credit from community colleges each year when it is actually only 30,000 students. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.

A new public education plan intended to make it easier for high school students to take community college classes will not cost any money for the students or the state.

Last week Gov. Bev Perdue announced the N.C. Career and College Promise initiative, which will streamline the process for high school students to earn credits toward job credentials or a four-year college degree for free.

About 300,000 high school students in the state earn college credit from community colleges each year, said Ben Niolet, spokesman for Perdue.

The new plan will help integrate community colleges into the state’s overall educational structure, said Linda Weiner, spokeswoman for the state’s community college system.

“It’s going to help align the three entities in North Carolina: K-12, community colleges and the UNC system,” she said. “The path will be more streamlined and efficient.”

The plan features a credit transfer program, a technical career training program and continued support for high school programs held at community college campuses.

The credit transfer program gives high school students who have at least a B average the chance to earn college credit at any one of the state’s 58 community colleges.

This facet of the plan will limit offerings to courses that will help knock out general education requirements for students, Niolet said.

“Students were accumulating a basket of credits that didn’t necessarily advance them toward achieving their goals,” he said. “Now everyone will be progressing toward a goal.”

Weiner said community college enrollment has increased by more than 25 percent during the last five years as workers hit by the recession and high unemployment decided to return to school.

But Weiner and other administrators said they don’t expect the new program to impact community college enrollment.

“Right now we are not anticipating a large increase in enrollment,” Weiner said. “However, in the future this could increase our enrollment.”

The plan also addresses high school students who seek immediate job training instead of a four-year college degree. It allows them to take vocational-training classes at community colleges.

“This only makes it easier for us to make sure students exit with meaningful skills,” said Joanne Honeycutt, director of career and technical education at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

Niolet agreed.

“It should help keep North Carolina’s job market more competitive,” he said.

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