COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kent State University and the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio are among recipients of $3 million in grants to create programs for high school educators to teach college courses under the College Credit Plus Program.
Ohio’s College Credit Plus program offers free college courses to high schoolers, including free textbooks, tuition and fees. The courses are rigorous but give students both college and high school credits.
In addition to Kent State and the ESC of Northeast Ohio, which is in Independence, the other recipients are East Central Ohio ESC in Belmont, Tuscarawas and Guernsey counties, Montgomery County ESC and ESC of Eastern Ohio in Canfield in Mahoning County, according to a statement sent Thursday by Gov. Mike DeWine and state education officials.
These five awardees will use the funds to cover tuition, textbooks and other materials to support teachers across various districts as they work to become credentialed to teach College Credit Plus courses at their high schools.
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“Teachers play a critical role in shaping the future of Ohio’s students,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a prepared statement. “These grants will empower our dedicated educators to expand their expertise and provide exceptional learning opportunities that will prepare students for success.”
The ultimate goal for state educators is for more students to take the courses, which can save them and their families money over the long run.
“These grants will provide more opportunities for educators to get the knowledge, skills, and experience to teach higher-level courses that will foster a seamless transition from high school to college,” said Stephen Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
“The College Credit Plus program is the gateway to a postsecondary degree for thousands of students, and increasing the number of credentialed teachers will allow even more families to save on college tuition and prepare their students for a successful future,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey.
Laura Hancock covers state government and politics for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.