Dual Enrollment Resolution

A Resolution of Partnership between Fresno Unified School District and Fresno City College Committing to the Equitable Expansion of Dual Enrollment.

WHEREAS, Fresno Unified School District is a place where diversity is valued, educational excellence and equity are expected, individual responsibility and participation by all is required, collaborative adult relationships are essential, and parents, students, and the community as a whole are vital partners; and

WHEREAS, all students deserve a quality K-12 education that prepares them for success after high school; and

WHEREAS, access to a post-secondary education continues to be one of the most viable paths to gainful employment and a prosperous future; and

WHEREAS, Fresno City College, of the State Center Community College District, is a comprehensive learning community offering instructional programs in anticipation of and responsive to the lifelong learning needs of its diverse student population, and is an invaluable partner to Fresno Unified School District; and

WHEREAS, dual enrollment provides students with the opportunity to earn transferable college credits while still in high school; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that dual enrollment courses have positive effects on college degree attainment, college access and matriculation, credit accumulation, high school completion, college persistence, time to completion, and overall, reduces the cost of college; and

WHEREAS, dual enrollment has shown to positively impact outcomes for students, particularly students of color, low-income students, and students with lower GPAs; and

WHEREAS, Fresno’s Developing the Region’s Inclusive and Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Initiative has named dual enrollment as a core strategy to increase the number of degree holders in Fresno; and

WHEREAS, the equitable expansion of dual enrollment called for in this resolution refers to the commitment to outreaching and enrolling students historically underrepresented in higher education in dual enrollment courses, and providing diverse course offerings; and

WHEREAS, Fresno Unified School District and Fresno City College are aligned and committed to the goal that each student will graduate high school with the opportunity to earn 12 college credits by the 2024-25 school year

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Fresno Unified School District and Fresno City College have identified six priority areas for the equitable expansion of dual enrollment and commit to their successful implementation.

The agreed-upon priorities are as follows: 1) Develop varied methods of strategic and intentional communication to increase the community’s awareness of dual enrollment opportunities, 2) Provide equity of access to dual enrollment opportunities, 3) Expand and grow dual enrollment course offerings that align to transferrable A-G and graduation requirements and support the growth of student interest offerings, 4) Create a more seamless registration process by removing barriers for historically underserved demographics, 5) Provide students with services and supports to ensure successful dual enrollment experiences, and 6) Develop a comprehensive data system to capture ongoing monitoring and student success criteria.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, each priority area were informed by input from Fresno parents, community members, and educators and administrators at the K-12 and postsecondary levels; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, each priority area will include goals and milestones pertinent to the success of the equitable expansion of dual enrollment opportunities in Fresno Unified schools, as agreed upon by both Fresno Unified School District and Fresno City College, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a Dual Enrollment working group will be established by Fresno Unified School District with representation from Fresno Unified School District, Fresno City College, and community organizations to monitor the progress toward the goals and milestones named in the six agreed-upon priority areas, and

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Dual Enrollment working group will support community engagement efforts related to Dual Enrollment every semester to provide information and gather input to inform identified goals and milestones named in the six agreed-upon priority areas and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Dual Enrollment working group will make annual recommendations for the continued expansion of Dual Enrollment focused on the six identified priorities and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, an annual public presentation will be translated in multiple languages and delivered to the Governing Board of the Fresno Unified School District and the community highlighting the progress made on each of the six dual enrollment priority areas; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Governing Board of the Fresno Unified School District, through the adoption of this resolution, approves the six dual enrollment priority areas identified by Fresno Unified School District and Fresno City College, and directs the Superintendent and key staff to prioritize the execution of said priority areas.