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The Immokalee Foundation

Dual Enrollment

Accelerates Education

and Success for

Foundation Students

An Immokalee Foundation staff advocate helps guide students on all aspects of their educational journeys
by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO,
The Immokalee Foundation
ual enrollment programs, which allow Dual enrollment offers a strategic academic advantage by allowing
high school students to earn both college high school students to earn college credits while completing their
Dand high school credits simultaneously, diploma. This head start significantly reduces the overall cost of
offer significant cost advantages and can have a higher education by decreasing the number of tuition-heavy semesters
tremendous impact on the overall momentum of required for college graduation.
a student's educational journey. Collier County Public Schools covers the cost of high school
The concept of dual enrollment initially students participating in dual enrollment.
emerged in the mid 1950s to combat "senioritis" Beyond long-term financial savings, students gain exposure to the
— a term describing the lack of focus and motivation felt by some rigor of university-level coursework, fostering essential skills such as
high school students nearing the end of their senior year. These time management and independent study in a supportive environment.
programs expanded during the 1970s and 1980s as states such as A perfect complement to the Foundation's Career Pathways
California and Minnesota enacted formal policies. program, dual enrollment strengthens our students' already robust
Growth accelerated in the 2000s, with participation tripling from exposure to diverse career paths. Participation often leads to higher
roughly 300,000 to over 1.1 million by 2010. The most dramatic college GPAs and increased graduation rates as students enter
increase occurred recently; by the 2023-24 academic year, enrollment university with greater confidence and academic maturity.
reached 2.8 million students. Education & Human Services Pathway student Lucero has been
The same research shows that dual enrollment participation is participating in dual enrollment for over a year. She is currently taking
20.7 percent for Hispanic students and 14.8 percent for African the early childhood education course at Immokalee Technical College.
American students—both key populations served by The Immokalee "I wanted to expand my academic horizons," Lucero explained.
Foundation. Compare this nationwide statistic with Immokalee "What I love about dual enrollment is the hands-on aspect of it. Rather
Foundation-supported students, where an extraordinary 68% of the than just paper and pencil, I can see in real time how children grow and
high school senior class and 42% of the junior class are benefiting interact, how the brain works, and how our little humans perceive the
from dual enrollment. world!"
Although students are typically not eligible for dual enrollment Next year, Lucero will attend Florida Gulf Coast University and
until their junior year, 4% of Immokalee Foundation sophomores are begin her Psychology degree program. Her ultimate goal is to become a
already getting a postsecondary leg up. Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst.
For us to embrace this increased focus on early success isn't Please join me in applauding Lucero and the hundreds of other
surprising, given that The Immokalee Foundation is Southwest Foundation students like her, who represent Southwest Florida's
Florida's first and only organization offering a full continuum of workforce of the future.
support, from early literacy intervention in elementary school to About The Immokalee Foundation
postsecondary completion. For 34 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next
Starting in middle school, students receive comprehensive, hands- generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness,
on exposure to high-demand, high-wage careers. and workforce development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten
By high school, students ultimately immerse themselves in one of through postsecondary education.
four specific pathways: Business Management & Entrepreneurship, To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, host
Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction
an intern, take a tour, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or
Management, and Healthcare. As part of the process, Foundation
include the Foundation in your will, please call
students gain industry certifications, professional skills, and a clear
239-430-9122 or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org
path to financial independence and postsecondary achievement.
54 www.LifeInNaples.net