Montana Governor Steve Bullock announced Thursday that the number of Montana high school students taking dual credit enrollment courses for college credit has nearly doubled over the past two years.

This fall there are 2,067 high school students in Montana enrolled in at least one college class, a 96 percent increase over the 1,055 dually enrolled students in spring 2012.

Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education Kevin McRae said the growth has helped make college more affordable for students:

"Students taking courses in a high school classroom are simultaneously earning high school credit, but also college credit," McRae said. "The rate that is charged for the college credit is one-half the rate that the students would pay at one of our two-year colleges or one-quarter of the rate that they would pay at a four-year campus for that college level course."

About 65 percent of this fall’s dually enrolled students are receiving both high school and college credit for the college-level course, with the instruction being delivered by a qualified high school teacher.

McRae said the dual credit courses offered include math, writing, and even history and run only $150 per course.

"The classic example would be mathematics, calculus, writing courses, and upper level high school writing courses," McRae said. "So I would think the examples of the real frequently used are math and English."

McRae said the best way to enroll and register for dual credit courses is to talk to high school teachers and counselors that provide those courses.

Bullock said the dual credit incentive program provides a catalyst for teachers and school districts to better inform students and families about the dual credit opportunities.

"Montana teachers have so many demands on them already," Bullock said. "Our state’s high school teachers deserve huge credit for helping to double the number of students who are getting an early start on college at half the normal tuition price."

Kevin McRae:

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