Dual-enrollment program for dropouts, at-risk students launches in Massachusetts

For high school dropouts motivated to get back in the classroom and those at risk for dropping out, a new program starting next month will enable students to earn their high school degrees and college credit at the same time.

Herald-News staff writer Grant Welker reports that Bristol Community College has teamed with the Fall River School Department to give about two dozen city residents, ages 16 to 21, an opportunity to get back in school in a different environment from the one they left. The program, Gateway to College, will be free for students and is being funded by a three-year, $300,000 state education department grant.

The first cohort will include about 22 students.

That’s a good start, but it will barely scratch the surface of the dropout program. If we’re going to win the fight against the dropout epidemic, we absolutely must make dropout recovery programs such as this a widespread options for student who have left school without a diploma.