WASHINGTON, DC—Today, U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the Fast Track To and Through College Act, a bill that would increase college completion and reduce college costs by allowing academically prepared high school students to take the equivalent of their freshman year of college free-of-charge during their senior year of high school. In response, Alliance for Excellent Education President Deb Delisle made the following statement in support of the bill.
“At a time of soaring college costs and increased ‘senioritis,’ the Fast Track To and Through College Act keeps students engaged in their education, saves them money, and helps them earn credits toward their college degree. That’s a home run in my book.
“The bill would provide a faster, less expensive path to a college degree for roughly 850,000 high school students—nearly one third of whom are students from low-income families.
“I thank and congratulate Senators Hassan and Young for this creative approach to rethink the twelfth grade for students who may no longer be challenged by high school coursework and are already eyeing their postsecondary education.
“As members of Congress work to rewrite the Higher Education Act to open college doors and reduce costs for more students, I urge them to consider the approach outlined in the Fast Track To and Through College Act.”
For more information on the Fast Track To and Through College Act, visit
https://all4ed.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Fast-Track-one-pager-FINAL.pdf.
Read statements from U.S. Senators Hassan and Young on the bill at https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-hassan-young-introduce-bipartisan-fast-track-to-and-through-college-act.
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The Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed) is a Washington, DC–based national policy, practice, and advocacy organization committed to improving educational outcomes—and lives—of students, with a focus on those in middle and high school. We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion and specifically advocate on behalf of all students who are historically underserved or marginalized. all4ed.org
