Hoosier high schoolers will have the option to finish dual credit credentials for free this summer, through a pandemic-relief funded program being offered for the second year.

One dual-credit high school in Fort Wayne is helping a large group of English Learners, mostly Burmese refugees, reach the college finish line.

The changes said a high school teacher teaching a dual credit class must have a master's degree that includes 18 credit hours in the subject they teach.

Rep. Wendy McNamara is working to find a way for high school teachers who currently teach dual-credit courses to meet new accreditation requirements created by the Higher Learning Commission, an independent organization that accredits colleges and universities.

Indiana will request a five year extension for when high school teachers are required to hold a master's degree and additional college credits so they can teach dual credit courses.

A panel of educators, lawmakers and higher education officials met Tuesday to discuss how to deal with an impending policy change that one K-12 leader said will "decimate" the dual credit options for high school students.