[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

 Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize 
the 30th anniversary of post-secondary enrollment options for high 
school students and the former Governor of Minnesota, Rudy Perpich, who 
founded this program.
  Mr. Perpich was the longest serving Governor of Minnesota and a proud 
member of the Democratic farm and labor party in our great State. Since 
1986, Minnesota's high school juniors and seniors have had the 
opportunity to participate in courses at the college level for dual 
credit and at no cost to the student or their family. The program has 
even grown now to allow sophomores to participate. This has made the 
transition between high school and college so much easier and 
affordable for our students. I have been honored to continue this 
effort in the Senate as we reformed the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act. Schools across the country can now invest in accelerated 
learning programs, including dual enrollment programs, like post-
secondary enrollment options, as part of their efforts to provide 
students with a well-rounded education.
  In 2014, more than 9,000 Minnesota students took advantage of post-
secondary enrollment option courses. With the growing cost of college, 
it is more important than ever that we continue to champion 
opportunities for students to save. Today I would like to honor 
Governor Rudy Perpich for investing in the education of our children 
and working to make higher education more accessible and affordable for 
all students.

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