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Wendzel Early Middle College Bill Heads To Governor

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Legislation from state Representative Pauline Wendzel to boost enrollment in Early Middle College programs has been approved in the Michigan Senate and now heads to the governor. Wendzel told us this fall her bill changes a state rule that prevents students in EMCs from taking part in athletics.

“Early Middle College programs, or EMCs as they’re called, are programs in Michigan where students in high school can be enrolled in five years of high school, but in that fifth year, they’re earning either an associate degree or a trade certification,” Wendzel said. “Unfortunately, a lot of students haven’t been partaking in that because they want to be able to play college sports in their fifth year after they’ve done their four years of high school sports.”

Wendzel says a lot of students would take advantage of the opportunities offered by EMCs, but because that would stop them from playing sports, they choose not to enroll. Her bill simply removes the barrier that stops fifth year high school students enrolled in college courses from playing college sports. Wendzel’s legislation has the support of Lake Michigan College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and the Michigan Department of Education, among others.

Pictured: State Rep. Pauline Wendzel (left), and Rep. Christine Morse (right), sponsor House Bills 6039 and 6040 to expand opportunities for Southwest Michigan students.

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