Kelley has earned 12 college credits in English and mathematics
through the program, which started last August. "It's going to be
nice to have those completed by the time I start (at North
Central)," said Kelley, who plans on studying business in college.
"I'm hoping it will allow me to take some more classes that are
related to my major."
Kelley is one of 48 LCHS students who will receive college credit
through the program.
LCHS will host an informational meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday
about next year's dual-enrollment classes. Lincoln College officials
will be there to answer questions. Any students with interest in
taking the dual-enrollment classes, or their parents, are invited to
attend.
Both LCHS and Lincoln College officials hope they can build on
this year's success with next year's courses. Course offerings are
expected to expand to include a science course next year.
"The program has been successful enough for us to expand it in to
the science department next year," said LCHS Principal Todd Poelker.
"Working with Lincoln College has been great. This joint venture has
given LCHS the opportunity to use existing local resources, like
Lincoln College, to expand our course offerings and ensure a
relevant and demanding curriculum for our college-bound students."
Lincoln College's vice president of enrollment management, Tony
Cardenas, echoed Poelker's sentiments that the first year has been a
great success.
"I think, in just the first year, it's been apparent that this
has been one of those special things in education that is a win-win
for everyone," said Cardenas, who has overseen the program in
partnership with the admissions and transition services offices at
Lincoln College and the guidance and administration offices at LCHS.
"It's a win for the high school by expanding course offerings and
offering an additional service to their students. It's a win for
Lincoln College because it helps strengthen our relationships
locally and gives us a foot in the door, so to speak, with
dual-enrollment, which is a growing trend in higher education,"
Cardenas said.
"But the biggest winners are the students, who are taking a
considerable step towards achieving a college degree and doing it at
a relatively affordable price. That's the most exciting part. This
partnership is definitely something the community should be excited
about, going forward."
[to top of second column] |
The price of tuition for each class this past year was $130 per
credit hour.
The classes are taught at LCHS, by LCHS teachers. English courses
are taught by Michelle Ryan, while mathematics courses are taught by
Chris Hammer.
Ryan said she has seen her students benefit from the amount of
writing required for her class.
"Just today, my students were commenting about how easy it is for
them to write papers in other classes, when a teacher might require
a two- or three-page paper," said Ryan. "That ease comes from the
amount of work that they are required to do in this (dual-credit)
course."
Hammer is pleased with how his students have responded to the
challenges of college-level math.
"Our LCHS students have responded wonderfully to the coursework,"
said Hammer. "They are challenged, but that is what they need, to be
prepared for college. I would like to see more students taking the
courses, although we do have 33 students taking statistics this
semester."
Kelley said taking courses with LCHS teachers she is familiar
with has been her favorite part of the dual-credit courses, saying
Ryan and Hammer can teach to her "more on a personal level."
Kelley's classmate Anna Maxwell, who will attend Lincoln College
next fall, agreed.
"Having a teacher that I know has helped get me through it," said
Maxwell, who plans on using the Lincoln College credits she has
earned this year to accelerate her pursuit of an associate degree
from Lincoln College. "It's not as scary as some people think it is.
People think, ‘Oh, it's a college class.' But, since you're taking
it at the high school, in some ways, it feels like a more
accelerated high school class.
"I think it works out best in the end, because you're taking
college credits that are less expensive than paying for it at a
bigger university. You're taking the same (general education
classes) as everyone else is at those schools."
For more information about the dual-enrollment classes in advance
of the meeting on March 22, contact the admissions office at Lincoln
College, 732-3155, or contact LCHS at 732-4131.
[Text from file received from
Lincoln College] |