LANSING, Mich., April 20, 2022 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) recently introduced House Bill 6040 as part of a two-bill bipartisan package that would increase participation in early middle college (EMC) programs offered by community colleges across Michigan.
An EMC is a Michigan Department of Education-approved, five-year program of study. EMCs work closely with postsecondary partners to provide students with an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following:
- 60 transferable college credits.
- An associate degree.
- A professional certification.
- The Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate.
- Participation in a registered apprenticeship.
Under current state law, a student enrolled in an EMC is not allowed to participate in college athletics during the fifth year of their program. This bipartisan legislation would allow a student to compete as long as they’ve used up their four years of high school eligibility.
“For many students, a significant part of their educational experience includes participating in sports,” Morse said. “There’s no reason students enrolled in an EMC shouldn’t be able to compete at the collegiate level during their fifth year of the program. I’m confident this legislation will encourage more people to enroll in an EMC.”
House Bills 6039 and 6040 have the support of Lake Michigan College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and the Michigan Community College Association. The bills have been referred to the House Committee on Education for consideration.
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