Abilene ISD is launching a new Dual Credit program next year, opening doors to make post-secondary education more affordable for families. This program allows students to earn an associate’s degree – sometimes at no cost – before graduating high school, providing a head start on their college journey.
The new program will be unveiled at Dual Credit Family Night at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, at Abilene High School, Cooper High School, and ATEMS. Campus leaders from each school will present identical information to parents and students. The program is intended for students currently in grades 8-11.
After the presentation, parents and students interested in the Dual Credit program will receive take-home information. The information will include QR codes for the dual credit handbook and brochure links. AISD has dual credit partners at Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, Angelo State University, Cisco College, and Texas State Technical College.
Parents will learn about the FAST program that provides funding to participating public institutions of higher education so they can offer dual credit courses to educationally disadvantaged students at no cost to these students.
They’ll learn about the Dual Credit Academy at McMurry, a program that offers every class online for a flat fee of $200. And they’ll hear about a program that starts in 2025-26 that will allow students – beginning as freshmen on their high school campuses – to earn an associate’s degree by the time they graduate. In some cases – based on economic need – that degree through Cisco College could be free to the student.
Dr. Stevanie Jackson, executive director of secondary education, said this updated dual-credit model is targeting younger students and pushing the idea of taking advantage of the classes to prepare for college or the workforce.
“This is an opportunity to open up the college door for kids early who may not have had this opportunity or might not have been thinking about it,” Jackson said. “This gives them the chance to try it in the safety of the high school setting with the support of the high school setting around them.
“We know it's going to be challenging,” she said. “It's not going to be for everybody, but it's just opening doors for kids whose route to college or a degree might not be through AP classes. But we know that kids who can earn at least an associate's degree have the opportunity to earn significantly more money than people who graduate with a high school diploma. We're trying to prepare kids for their future. And if we can start this journey earlier, it's better for them.”