Denver, Colorado - Imagine high school students choosing to spend an extra year in school, then graduating with both a high school diploma and an college associates degree. Who could oppose that? All of the Republicans on the Colorado House Education Committee.

The Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act by Rep. Fran Coleman would let at-risk students spend a 5th year in school if they're also enrolled in a college and earning credits both for their diploma and a higher education degree. Some high schools were allowing students to do that before the state board of education prohibited the practice.

During a hearing, educators testified that the results were amazing, especially for students who had assumed they wouldn't be able to afford college. "Fundamentally the kids who do well are the kids who know they're going to college," according to Scott Mendelsberg, who launched a dual enrollment program when he was principal of Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver. He added that test scores and achievement shot up after the college option became available to students.

Republicans on the committee voted against the bill and Republican leadership promised to fight the bill on the floor. "Why do Republicans oppose any ideas that actually help students learn more and succeed?" asked Pat Waak, Colorado Democratic Party Chair. "They'll spend endless amounts of money on testing, but they refuse to support things actually improve student achievement."

The Colorado Student Assessment Program tests every student in 3rd grade through 10th grade every year. Every year it demonstrates that students from educated, affluent families outperform students without those advantages. The purpose of the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act is to give all students the enthusiasm that comes with knowing that earning a college degree is an option.

"Republicans would support this idea if they were more interested in helping students succeed than trying to discredit public schools," said Waak. "Together, Colorado can do better."