Dombroski: Expand Early College Programs, Make College More Affordable

WAKEFIELD – State Senate Candidate and current Wakefield Town Councilor Ed Dombroski today outlined his plan to expand educational opportunities for high school students, while making college more affordable.

“Throughout this campaign I’ve been talking with residents about their concerns over college affordability,” Dombroski said. “Early College Programs are a practical way to both help reduce college costs and providing high school students important exposure to college-level coursework and the opportunity to accelerate their educational development. As state Senator I will introduce legislation to expand these programs so more students have access to them.”

Early College Programs allows high school students to take college-level courses, for free, and earn college credits. These credits can then be transferable to a two-year community college or four-year college or university, helping to lower the cost of higher education for students and families.

“By most any measure, Early College Programs are a great success story – they provide an educational path of opportunity that might not otherwise exist for some students,” said Dombroski. “In other states that have more robust programs, the results are very impressive. We have an opportunity to further expand access across our Massachusetts communities, making a more affordable higher education within reach for our students and their families.”

Dombroski recalled an event this past spring where he and Governor Charlie Baker promoted Early College Programs. “I was overwhelmed by the responses of people who came up to me after the Governor and I spoke about this initiative. People were so excited to hear of these programs and wanted to know how their own family members could take part. I appreciate the efforts of the Baker Administration to support these programs and want to work to grow them even further going forward. Earning college level course credits as high school students, at no cost, is a win-win,” Dombroski added.

Many area colleges and universities have enthusiastically partnered with local high schools, recognizing the value of Early College programs.

“We have some of the finest public and private colleges and universities in the world right here in our own backyard – let’s leverage those opportunities to the fullest extent possible, while saving our residents some money,” Dombroski said.

Dombroski is running for the Fifth Middlesex State Senate seat that represents Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Winchester. He is an attorney and small business owner and has served on the Wakefield Town Council for six years, following three years serving on the Wakefield Finance Committee. Dombroski is endorsed by Governor Charlie Baker. More information can be found at www.EdforMA.com.