ODE Pushing For Changes In College Credit Program

The Ohio Department of Education is pushing legislation that would makes changes to a state program offering free college credit to middle- and high-schoolers. Changes to the College Credit Plus program would include eliminating a waiver that allows school groups to negotiate with colleges to set lower credit-hour fees. Another provision would allow a pilot program under which students who aren't ready for college could take remedial courses. But lobbyists for some school organizations say the changes aren't what school districts want. School groups say the program is too expensive, and they want parents who can afford it to pay something toward the cost. They also want a standardized way to compare the program to other credit-bearing courses, such as Advanced Placement.