Dual enrollment has increased at Tennessee Community Colleges and TCAT facilities some 86 percent in the last five years, 139 percent over the last decade.
TCAT McMinnville’s Dual Enrollment Accreditation Coordinator Michele Chamberlain said dual enrollment programs allow students to earn college credit through their high school classes. Chamberlain said faster access to a career and the shifting perception of traditional education have helped dual enrollment numbers skyrocket.
“These students see a benefit to working in a trade,” Chamberlain said. “To understanding that they don’t have to go to a two year or four year college if they don’t want to.”
Chamberlain said 764 students from five TCAT high schools participated in dual enrollment programs last school year.
Chamberlain said state grant funding has helped grow the dual enrollment program. The first of three GIVE grants helped start a machine tools program in one high school.
Four building construction programs and a welding program were started soon after. Chamberlain said a grant received in October funded an advanced manufacturing and industrial maintenance program.
“I think the emphasis of meeting the industry needs is so important in our community, especially our rural communities,” Chamberlain said. “And the opportunity that is given to high school students to actually do dual enrollment programs is a benefit to the students.”
Chamberlain said TCAT currently offers eight dual enrollment programs, and they are open to any high school student in their partner schools. Chamberlain said completing dual enrollment classes throughout high school can help students earn a third of the credits needed for a post secondary certification.
“By coming to TCAT McMinnville, [students] could be out working and in a career of their choice within a year to less than two years at most,” Chamberlain said. “I think that gives the students lots more opportunities.”
