The Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development (CREEED) announced on Thursday that their organization has awarded $430,000 in scholarships to 215 local high school teachers this summer through its Accelerated Certification of Teachers (ACT El Paso) Scholarship Program.
The funding will help educators complete the credentialing process, expanding the number of high school teachers certified to teach dual-credit courses by over 250 percent.
“CREEED is committed to improving postsecondary attainment for all students in El Paso by investing in programs and policies that increase the college readiness of our students and ensure they are able to pursue and complete a postsecondary degree in a timely manner,” said Richard A. Castro, Chairman of CREEED. “By investing in dual credit and the professional development of our local teachers, this scholarship program helps gives more students a head start towards a degree and prepares them for the rigors of college.”
Through the ACT El Paso scholarship, the following El Paso school districts will see more teachers receiving funding to become certified dual-credit instructors
CREEED aims to place teachers certified to offer dual credit courses in every high school in El Paso County. ACT El Paso is part of the non-profit group’s larger plan to improve educational parity, enhance the quality of instruction, and see more students complete post-high-school degree or certificate programs throughout the El Paso region.
Additional comments from educational leaders in El Paso County regarding the ACT El Paso scholarship program can be found here.
Dual-credit courses give high school students the opportunity to take college-level coursework and earn college credit while still in high school. Research shows that students who successfully complete 18 hours of dual credit courses are four times more likely to complete a college credential or degree program on time.
Since 2015, CREEED has awarded $709,000 out of a total of $1 million for the scholarship program, which aims to increase higher education enrollment and completion among El Paso students.
