Inside Higher Ed Covers NJ Policy Lab Report
The report released by NCLC, the Joseph C. Cornwall Center, and the NJ Policy Lab can be read here.
NCLC featured in NJ Business Magazine
George N. Silba writes about NCLC and other entities in Organizations Committed to Enhancing Newark.
The Newark of City Learning Collaborative Celebrates Spring 2021 Rutgers University-Newark Dual Enrollment Students
On June 17, 2021, the Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC) hosted a celebratory event to recognize the achievements of Newark high school students who participated in the Dual Enrollment program during the Spring 2021 semester.
About Dual Enrollment
For the past three years, NCLC has hosted a districtwide Dual Enrollment at Rutgers University–Newark, in cooperation with the School of Arts and Sciences-Newark (SASN), and the School of Public Affairs and Administration-Newark (SPAA). In line with NCLC’s strategic direction, Dual Enrollment has been embraced as one of several critical approaches to help to build Newark’s college-going culture. This approach directly stems from the eight actionable recommendations in NCLC’s Post-Secondary Outcomes of Newark High School Graduates report—specifically recommendations five and six: increase access to rigorous coursework; and increase family engagement in the college-going process.
Dual Enrollment has been shown to lead to better student achievement at the secondary level, as well as to increased post-secondary enrollment, persistence, and completion rates. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Dual Enrollment can improve academic outcomes, particularly for low-income, first-generation students. These students are also more likely to complete their studies and graduate with less debt than their peers who enter college with no prior credits earned.
Through NCLC’s Dual Enrollment program, high school students from the Newark Public Schools District, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School, Opportunity Youth Network (LEAD Charter School), People’s Prep Charter School and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School take a college course to earn college credit while pursuing their high school diploma. The University offers a reduced credit rate to participating schools, as well as waives all campus fees so that students and families can participate fee-free.
“We are tremendously grateful to both our RU-N and high school partners, all of whom work diligently to ensure the success of this initiative, and of every student enrolled. We are also proud of our students for challenging themselves by enrolling in college-level courses while still in high school, and especially for the resilience they showed by doing so in the face of an already difficult year” said Danielle Cohen, NCLC Strategic Partnerships Manager.
Virtual Celebration
Our virtual celebration included special guests Rutgers University–Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor, Dean Jacqueline Mattis from the School of Arts and Sciences, and Dean Charles Menifield from the School of Public Affairs and Administration to share some congratulatory remarks.
“You now have a new social capital network of mentors and support from Rutgers-Newark, from you high school— and those will be there no matter where you decide to go to college,” said Chancellor Cantor.
Dual Enrollment has been a great opportunity for students to experience what it is like to be a college student before they step foot on campus. Our Student Speaker, a 12th Grader at Central High School who took the Environmental Disasters course, remarked:
“Taking a class through the Dual Enrollment program made me feel ready, more than ever, to start my college classes in the fall.” Although she was hesitant to take the Environmental Disasters course at first, she ended up learning plenty and enjoying it. She had some challenges adjusting at first but was able to quickly adapt and make the necessary changes to be successful in the course.
“I might have made some errors while I was in the program, but all these mistakes not only prepared me for my college life, but they also prepared me to be a great student because I won’t be repeating any of the mistakes I made,” she concluded.
Recognizing All Dual Enrollment Students
“NCLC is proud of our 2021 Dual Enrollment participants. Each demonstrated a ‘college-going mindset,’ in choosing to register for RU-N courses. Dual Enrollment increases the likelihood of students seeing college as the next step in their pathway to success. And, early exposure makes a difference,” said Robyn Brady Ince, NCLC Executive Director.
A total of seventy-five high school students registered for the Spring 2021 Dual Enrollment initiative. All the students – whether or not they completed the semester – should be proud of what they accomplished during this challenging year. Attempting a college-level course while still in high school is a tremendous achievement!
Congratulations to all our Dual Enrollment students. If you are interested in learning more about the NCLC Dual Enrollment initiative, please contact us here.