LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is encouraging students to take advantage of dual-credit opportunities and earn college credit while completing their high school coursework. The district's students can earn up to six hours of college credit through dual-credit programs, at no cost to them, through a partnership with Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC).

“If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we can use technology to break down barriers and be truly innovative about how we provide learning experiences to our students,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. “After a year and a half of working to ensure broad access to technology and connectivity, our students are in a better position than ever to take full advantage of these opportunities.”

Dual credit is credit that goes toward a student's high school requirements while also earning them college credit.

“National data shows that students who participate in dual-credit classes persist and succeed in college at a much higher rate than those students who don’t,” JCTC President Ty Handy said. “Expanding dual-credit opportunities at JCPS will undoubtedly improve student success and college readiness, and we are excited to be a partner in this effort.”

Students who want to sign up for dual-credit programs should talk to their school counselor, the district said, and the deadline for students to make their decision for the fall semester is Aug. 4.

“This is a really great opportunity for our students to capitalize on what’s available to them in a way that they haven’t had access to in the past,” Pollio said.

The district said high school students will have more opportunities to take career-related courses that interest them, regardless of what school they attend. Starting this school year, students who want to take Advanced Placement (AP) or Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that aren't offered at their high school will be able to take the course virtually at new online virtual hubs set up at each high school. JCPS said the hubs will house "state-of-the-art" equipment and technology.

“These new, in-school technology hubs and expanded virtual class options will give high-schoolers even more avenues to broaden their educational experiences,” Pollio said, “no matter where they go to school.”