SB 974 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, further providing for Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program.

Bill Text

• Printer's No. PN1115 View text Current pdf

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The bill amends the Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program to expand the eligibility and reporting requirements for grants related to dual credit opportunities for high school students.

• Section 2004-I(a)

  to public institutions of higher education that offer dual credit opportunities to high school students enrolled in a school entity[.] → to public institutions of higher education that offer dual credit opportunities to high school students enrolled in a school entity and to community education councils that collaborate with one or more institutions of higher education to offer dual credit opportunities to high school students enrolled in a school entity.

  The change expands grant eligibility to include community education councils partnering with higher education institutions.

• Section 2004-I(c)

  with a particular emphasis on providing courses aligned with high-priority occupations and serving students experiencing education instability as defined in section 1331.1, students enrolled in career and technical education programs, low-income students, historically underserved student groups and students in rural areas of this Commonwealth.

  The amendment emphasizes grant funding priorities for courses aligned with high-demand jobs and for historically underserved student populations.

• Section 2004-I(d)

  and independent institutions of higher education and community education councils in collaboration with one or more institutions of higher education.

  The bill allows for grants to be awarded to State-related institutions and independent institutions if there are insufficient applications from public institutions.

• Section 2004-I(f)

  The number of college credits earned by students enrolled in dual credit courses which were offered through a collaboration between a community education council and an institution of higher education. The number of students enrolled in dual credit courses which were offered through a collaboration between a community education council and an institution of higher education. The percentage of dual credit students who earned college credits through a collaboration between a community education council and an institution of higher education that enroll in an institution of higher education following high school graduation.

  The change adds specific measures related to dual credit courses offered through community education councils to improve data collection and transparency.

• Section 2004-I(g)

  "Community education council." As defined in section 1901-D.

  This adds a definition for 'community education council' to clarify its meaning within the context of the grant program.

Action History

1. February 04, 2026

   Referred to Education

2. February 03, 2026

   Third consideration and final passage

3. February 03, 2026

   Re-reported as committed

4. February 02, 2026

   Re-referred to Appropriations

5. February 02, 2026

   Second consideration

6. December 09, 2025

   First consideration

7. December 09, 2025

   Reported as committed

8. August 25, 2025

   Referred to Education

Sponsors

• Scott E. Hutchinson · Primary

Votes

Subjects