Wednesday, June 1, 2016 3:56 pm

Governor Bevin announced the launch of a dual credit program in all 173 Kentucky school districts. The program will be solely funded from the Kentucky Lottery fund.

Beginning the 2017-2018 school year, any senior can be approved for dual credit. Secretary of Education Hal Heiner said that "This is one of the most exciting opportunities for Kentucky high school students in decades, because for the first time we are offering a comprehensive dual credit program to every high school senior so they can earn high school and postsecondary credit concurrently, saving them money and time as they pursue careers,"

Bevin couldn't resist a swipe at prior administrations in his press release:

"This program and others will be funded by applying 100 percent of the lottery proceeds to their stated goal of funding education. In recent years, these funds have been misappropriated for other purposes. While I am governor, that practice of robbing our children's education funds will cease," Gov. Bevin continued. "We intend to spend the taxpayers' money in a more prudent, ethical and transparent manner than has been the case in recent years. Our students and everyone else in Kentucky will be better off for it."

The program may provide a boost for higher education as Kentucky state colleges and universities deal with a 4.5% cut this year and another next year.

Some school districts provide free dual credit programs, like Falcon Academy, in Hickman County. Others charge students for participation.