North Carolina Adopts New High School Model – 5 Years

Governor Michael Easley recently announced a new program, Learn and Earn, that allows students the option of earning a high school diploma and an associate’s degree through a fifth year of high school. The new model, which pairs community colleges or universities with high schools, will have 15 initial pilot sites, five of which have already admitted students for the current school year.Ten sites will admit students in the 2005-2006 school year before the Governor expands the program statewide.

Contact: Kristin Conklin
Education Division By Luci Stephens

http://www.nga.org/center/frontAndCenter/1,1188,C_FRONT_CENTER%5ED_7328,00.html

The program’s aim is to keep students in school while preparing them to take advantage of the new employment opportunities in the state, most of which require at least an associate’s degree.The program will be funded through state and private financing, including grant money from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Related Links:

* Governor Easley’s Press Release http://www.governor.state.nc.us/News_FullStory.asp?id=1352

* NGA Chairman Governor Warner’s High School Initiative http://www.nga.org/chairman04/