Program to offer UW Colleges courses at high schools - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

WAUSAU (WKOW) -- Wisconsin high school students will be able to take college classes without ever leaving their campus.

The state Department of Public Instruction and UW Colleges announced the new dual enrollment program on Tuesday. It will allow high school students to take courses from the state's 13 two-year colleges at their high school. The courses will be taught by a trained high school teacher.

"I'm sure many districts around here already do this with the technical college system. There are similar arrangements and those arrangements have turned out to be very cost efficient for all people involved," said state superintendent Tony Evers during a news conference at UW-Marathon County.

The Department of Public Instruction says the program should be in place by the 2013-2014 school year.

"This statewide dual enrollment agreement is a great way for students to get an introduction to college coursework and earn credits before even enrolling in a school of higher education. This will increase the number of students who graduate from high school ready for college and careers," Evers said.