Minnesota State just received from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) a five-year extension for concurrent enrollment faculty and for high school faculty new to concurrent enrollment.

This ensures Greater Minnesota students currently in grades 7-12 in school districts with dual credit agreements with Minnesota State colleges and universities may continue to receive access to this program through high school graduation and gives teachers five years to meet the new requirements recently approved by the HLC. Minnesota State shared the following with MREA and other partners:

“The approval gives each college or university within Minnesota State that offers concurrent enrollment programming the five additional years requested (until September 1, 2022) to ensure that all high school faculty teaching within concurrent enrollment programs meet the HLC Policy Assumed Practice B.2 relating to qualifications for faculty providing dual credit instruction.  This extension applies not only to those high school faculty currently teaching within these programs, but also covers new faculty who may begin teaching within a concurrent enrollment program prior to September 1, 2022.  Effective September 1, 2022, all high school faculty teaching within concurrent enrollment programs will be required to meet qualification standards, as will all new faculty assigned to provide dual credit instruction for the first time after that date.”

Join us in thanking and congratulating Minnesota State for seeking this extension and for pushing to include high school faculty new to concurrent enrollment.
While families, students, teachers and high schools can breathe a sigh of relief for next several years, the starting gun still has sounded for the five-year marathon to ensure these opportunities are available for students after September 1, 2022.

MREA is ready to roll up our sleeves and work with Minnesota State and the legislature to be sure these opportunities are available for the current elementary students and younger. We encourage your school to work with your providing institution. This will be a focus of MREA during the upcoming legislative session.