Dr. Wendy Reisinger, Division of Professional Development, PA Department of Education, 333 Market Street, 8th floor, Harrisburg PA 17126-0333, wereisinge@state.pa.us Voice: 717-783-4799.

Expanding Dual Enrollment: Pennsylvania will encourage dual enrollment for the capable, not just the exceptional, high school student.  We are committed to increasing the number of underserved students who have not had access to postsecondary opportunities that allow them to achieve success. Pennsylvania also emphasizes early college, middle college and gateway to college programs. Pennsylvania's 2007-08 Budget includes $10 million for these programs, with the resources directed to at-risk students, academically challenged school districts and Project 720 pilot sites. For further information on Dual Enrollment, please contact:

Dr. Wendy Reisinger, PA Department of Education, 333 Market Street, 8th floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333, wereisinge@state.pa.us Voice: 717-783-4799.

Strengthening Career and Technical Education: To create the kinds of Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs our students and employers need, Pennsylvania is adopting a series of reforms recommended in a recent study by Jobs for the Future, including: rigorous academic programs for all CTE students, with tutoring and additional academic support; labor market demand and industry-recognized standards and credentials as the basis for CTE program approval; clear ties between secondary CTE and colleges and universities that enable students to earn postsecondary credit and certifications; and greater state leadership and technical assistance to drive and support local reform efforts. Pennsylvania will redirect $80 million over five years in state and federal funding and dollar-for-dollar local matches to help CTE programs upgrade their equipment and curriculum.

Additional Supports for Struggling Students: The 2005-06 state budget increased funding for Pennsylvania’s landmark Educational Assistance Tutoring Program, from $38 million to $66 million. Tutoring resources are directed to academically challenged school districts and expanded to the high school grades.

The Pennsylvania High School Coaching Initiative: $30 million in Annenberg Foundation funding supports one literacy and one math coach for every 600 students in some of the most high-need high schools in 10 districts across the Commonwealth. To support this intensive effort, the Pennsylvania Department of Education is partnering with the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Literacy Network (PLN) and Foundations, Inc. to provide intensive professional development for the new coaches and the district and school leadership teams. For more information on the PA High School Coaching Initiative, please contact:

Ellen Eisenberg, Project Director for PA High School Coaching Initiative at Foundations, eeisenberg@foundationsinc.org, Voice: 856-533-1608, FAX: 856-533-1601.  www.pacoaching.org

PreK-16 Alignment: Pennsylvania has undertaken a comparison of our state assessment (PSSA) with other measures of college readiness, such as the SAT, university placement exams and first year college performance. The Commonwealth will explore using the 11th grade statewide reading and math assessments as college entrance and placement exams and has created a statewide transfer policy between two- and four-year public higher education institutions to ensure that students can move their credits from one institution to another – and the credits count in their major field.

Creation of a Statewide K-16 Commission: Pennsylvania has brought together leaders from business, education and government to take on the other tough policy issues to ensure all students are prepared for college and the workforce.