A bill from state Representative Pauline Wendzel designed to increase participation in Early Middle College programs has been approved by the Michigan House. She tells us Early Middle College programs, or EMCs, allow a student to take a fifth year of high school while also being enrolled in a community college and earning credits.
“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 said. “So, this bill just takes care of that problem and allows them to do that.”
Wendzel’s bill simply changes the rule and says an EMC student can play sports for their college. The bill has the support of community colleges.
“I was just speaking with the president of Southwestern Michigan College and he said that he had some students in his office earlier that week actually discussing that with him. So, he was calling me to ask where that legislation was, and I was happy to report that we passed it out of the House and to the Senate yesterday.”
Wendzel says she’s also heard from students who would like to take part in an EMC, but don’t due to the sports concern. Lake Michigan College President Trevor Kubatzke says LMC would be “thrilled to be able to give Early Middle College students the chance to participate in athletics during their fifth year.” Soon, they may be able to do that.
