January 9, 2015

Mayor Emanuel and GE Announce Expansion of Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Programs, More Than Doubling Participation

$500,000 Investment Expands Free College Course Opportunities for Chicago Public School Students, Reducing Burdensome College Debt; Program has Expanded by Nearly a Factor of Eight Since 2011

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and General Electric (GE) announced the expansion of the Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment programs today for Chicago Public School (CPS) students through City Colleges of Chicago (CCC). Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment allows CPS students in neighborhoods across the City to pursue college credit without amassing burdensome debt.

Beginning this school year, GE will invest $500,000 to provide CCC with resources to more than double participation – from 2,481 to 6,100 CPS students – by the 2016-17 School Year. Since Mayor Emanuel took office in 2011, these programs have already increased by nearly a factor of eight from the roughly 320 students served in the 2010-11 School Year.

“The Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment programs continue to give our students greater access to earn college credit, putting them on an accelerated path to success,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Too often the cost of college is a barrier for entry, but through an expanded dual enrollment and dual credit program, as well as the Chicago Star Scholarship, more CPS students have access to the degrees that are important to their success in college, career and life.”

GE will provide $500,000 over three years to support Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment programs at neighborhood schools across the City. This funding will provide the following:

• Support students participating in Dual Enrollment by funding transportation and books
• Give necessary support for students in the Pre-Nursing Program
• Expand Dual Credit sections available at high schools which currently lack qualified teacher
• Teacher scholarships to develop capability to teach Dual Credit
• Develop College Ready Program to ensure that CPS students graduate college ready

"We are working closely with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City of Chicago to design programs that will empower and inspire students to pursue rewarding careers in STEM fields. These programs are helping local students gain high quality STEM experiences," said Russell Stokes, president and CEO of GE Transportation. "At GE, our commitment to STEM education is rooted in our workforce, as it has helped shape many of our careers. We are dedicated to helping inspire the next generation of innovators here in our hometown."

Through the Dual Enrollment program, qualified high school students can take free college courses at any of the seven City Colleges of Chicago and earn college credit that can be applied to a degree program at CCC or transferred to a four-year college or university upon graduation. Nearly 1,400 students enrolled in Dual Enrollment classes last school year with 86 percent of students who completed the courses earning college credit.

The Dual Credit program gives qualified high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses at 30 select high schools, taught by CPS teachers who are certified as CCC adjunct professors, and earn college credit. Over 1,100 students enrolled in Dual Credit courses last school year with 90 percent of students who completed the courses earning college credit.

"Our collaboration with the City Colleges of Chicago provides students a head start on earning their college degree while challenging them with accelerated academics during high school," said CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett. "This expansion will increase opportunities for students to pursue to rigorous college-level academics at no cost, while helping them develop the academic foundations, skill sets, and study habits necessary to succeed in 21st century college a career.”
Mayor Emanuel, CCC and CPS continue to increase college opportunities for high school students. In October 2014, Mayor Emanuel announced the Chicago Star Scholarship, which provides eligible CPS students with a free education at CCC, helping to ensure they are able to pursue the dream of college without accumulating burdensome debt.

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About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

GE's presence in Chicago includes the global headquarters for GE Transportation and the Monogram® Design Center. GE Capital, the company's financial services arm, also has a number of businesses in Chicago, including the headquarters for three GE Capital, Americas' businesses: GE Antares Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance and Rail Services. To follow local company news via Twitter, go to https://twitter.com/GEChicago.