The "First 15" initiative is a key component of the Kansas Board of Regents' goal under Pillar One: Family – Access and Affordability. This initiative aims to create opportunities for eligible Kansas high school students to earn at least 15 college credit hours at no cost, providing a valuable head start on their college education.

Currently, a dedicated working group has been established to accomplish the goals of the "First 15" initiative. This workgroup is focused on developing a pathway that makes these courses accessible to eligible high school students.

first 15 working group members

Composition of the Working Group:

• Rusty Monhollon, KBOR Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chair
• Secondary school representative (recommended by KSDE)
• Secondary school representative (recommended by KSDE)
• Community college campus representative (recommended by KCIA))
• Community college campus representative (recommended by KCIA)
• Community college campus representative (recommended by KCIA)
• Technical college campus representative (recommended by KCIA)
• University campus representative (recommended by university provosts)
• University campus representative (recommended by university provosts)
• KBOR Academic Affairs Staff

First 15 working group charge

The working group is charged with:

1. Recommending the five distinct courses that comprise the “First 15.”
2. Providing recommendations for a funding framework that offers students the “First 15” courses at no cost.
3. Recommending a standardized dual/concurrent enrollment framework that applies to all Kansas school districts and dual/concurrent enrollment providers to deliver the “First 15.”
4. Reviewing student enrollment requirements to ensure dual/concurrent enrollment is offered to all students who can benefit from taking dual/concurrent enrollment courses.
5. Ensuring that every high school in Kansas that has students who can benefit from dual/concurrent enrollment courses has access to a provider that can deliver the “First 15” at no cost to the student.
6. Reviewing and suggesting revisions as necessary the Board of Regents’ Dual/Concurrent Enrollment policy to facilitate the implementation of the “First 15” to all Kansas high schools, regardless of size and location.
7. Assessing the costs and benefits of requiring all dual/concurrent enrollment providers to be accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).
8. Completing the above tasks no later than May 1, 2025, for the Board’s consideration at its May meeting.

first 15 working group timeline

working group meeting dates

Building a Future is helping Kansas families by focusing on three key areas.

The Kansas Board of Regents is implementing a number of promising practices to advance these strategic objectives.

Key Initiatives

• Advocate for increased need-based student financial aid
• Limit tuition and fee increases
• Require student success playbooks with recommendations including:
  • Centralized professional advising
  • Targeted student financial aid
  • Improved interventions for at-risk students based on enhanced data collections
  • Better technology supports
• Adopt systemwide general education core
• Increase systemwide transfer
  • Implemented systemwide transfer associate degrees in a number of key areas including education, healthcare, computer science, business and social work
  • Continued work on systemwide transfer courses to open the door for more opportunities in fields such as engineering

Results

Increased Affordability		State funded student financial aid nearly quadrupled
		Tuition and fee increases are less than half of CPI growth over the last five years
		Student loan debt of graduates who are Pell recipients has decreased 16 percent
Enhanced Access		The system is providing college courses to 15.5 percent more high school students than five years ago
		The number of Pell-eligible students in the system grew 4.9 percent last year
Improved Student  Success		On-time graduation rates have increased 7.3 percentage points systemwide during the last five years
		Retention rates have increased 3.1 percentage points
		Starting wages for graduates from Kansas colleges and universities are up 16 percent since 2020

Building a Future is helping Kansas businesses by focusing on two key areas.

The Kansas Board of Regents is implementing a number of promising practices to advance these strategic objectives.

Key Initiatives

• Systemwide transfer programs in areas of high need
• Academic portfolio and program review
• Approved programs granting resident tuition to students from select areas to recruit more talent to Kansas
• Advocacy for research
• Enhanced partnership with Commerce

Results

Growing Talent Pipeline		The percentage of graduates staying in Kansas after graduation has grown for three consecutive years
Increased Research		Total research funding has grown by 53 percent
		Industry-sponsored research has grown 162 percent

Building a Future is advancing prosperity in Kansas by engaging the unique capabilities of the state's public higher education system to grow the economy and benefit Kansans and our communities. 

The Kansas Board of Regents is implementing a number of promising practices to advance these strategic objectives.

Key Initiatives

• State university prosperity plans to facilitate intentional economic development
• Support for human health
• World class treatment and research for Kansans at the KUMC Cancer Center
• Facilities renewal initiative
• Blueprint for Literacy

Results

Intentional Economic Development		Kansas universities are implementing plans to leverage their strengths for economic development
		Kansas colleges and universities have partnered with other agencies and organizations on large economic development projects
Community Benefits		Kanas universities are partnering on initiatives to improve health outcomes across the state
		Blueprint for Literacy will help 90 percent of Kansas students read at or above grade level by 2033
Facilities Initiative		Anticipated $1.1 billion investment to renew state university facilities over a 10 year period
		Strategic demolition of obsolete buildings has reduced campus footprint by 626,000 square feet