To K-12 Education Conference Committee members:

Currently Minnesotas Post Secondary Enrollment Options Act allows high school faculty and
staff to tell students and families that they can save money by taking dual high school/college
credit courses. But the law prohibits colleges and universities from doing the same thing.
Minnesota should encourage both secondary and post-secondary institutions to inform families
and students about dual credit options,

As representatives of students, families, and educators, we strongly encourage you to retain the
vitally important House language that removes six words preventing colleges and universities
from telling students and parents that they can save money via the Post-Secondary Enrollment
Option. HF 2397, Line 86.31, amending Minnesota Statute 124D.09, Subdivision 9a.

As we work with families throughout the state, we find many are not aware of PSEO, much less
that their youngsters can save money by participating in this program.

As legislators, you often request a fiscal impact. Providing fiscal impact information to families
and students also makes sense. Research and evidence consistently shows that post-secondary
attainment increases dramatically for high-school students who get a jump on credits and who
experience success early with higher education. This is true for all kinds of students rural,
urban and suburban. Moreover, the average Minnesota college debt ranks fourth in the country
at $31,497 per graduate, according to the Institute for College Access and Success.

A number of Minnesota high schools routinely tell students and families they can save money by
taking Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College in the Schools
(CIS)/concurrent enrollment courses.

For example, North St. Paul High School points out that via CIS, its students earned 1,286 college
credits in the 2012-13 school year. The website explains, This translates to a tuition savings of
more than $595,000 for the families of those students who take advantage of this opportunity.

Mankato High Schools tell students that taking their courses offered in cooperation with higher
education institutions is just like getting a scholarship without having to apply or earning
advanced placement credit without having to take the AP test.

Both examples contain helpful information for families. We think the same kind of information
about PSEO should be available from colleges and universities. Knocking down barriers between
high school and higher-education, and reducing costs for that attainment is absolutely crucial for
our states long-term economic competitiveness.

We encourage you to adopt the House provision in the final conference committee report. Well
help however we can. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mary Cecconi, Parents United
Maureen Ramirez and Dane Smith, Growth and Justice
Kelly Charpentier-Berg, Minnesota State College Student Association
Steve Allen, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs
Elaine Salinas, Migizi Communications
Chicano Latino Affairs Council
Vina Kay, Organizing Apprenticeship Project
Curt Johnson and Bob Wedl, Education Evolving
Jim Bartholomew, Minnesota Business Partnership
Amy Walstien, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Daniel Sellers, MinnCAN
Marisa Gustafson and Joe Nathan, Center for School Change