Are dual-enrollment programs overpromising?
September 26th, 2016There are so many positives when high school students look into dual-enrollment programs. Dual-enrollment courses may save you thousands of dollars on tuition, look great on your college application, and help you prepare for college. However, there is a downside to all of these positives that we believe is important to look into before jumping on the dual-enrollment bandwagon: not all colleges award credit for these courses.
It is key to check with the schools to which you are applying to determine whether they will accept your dual-enrollment credits; some will not accept them at all. Other colleges will accept these credits but will not allow them to go towards your major course of study, in turn making students and parents disappointed.
Dual-enrollment programs are still a work in progress and therefore each college and university has its own set of requirements. Catherine Gewertz, author of the article posted below from Education Week, brings up many critical factors to consider when deciding whether to participate in a dual-enrollment program.
Article below published September 6, 2016
Written by: Catherine Gewertz
The popularity of dual-enrollment programs has soared nationally as high school students clamor to try college-level work. But the movement is dogged by questions about one of its key selling points: that students can get a jump-start on college by transferring those credits.
Take the case of Sabrina Villanueva. As an ambitious high school student in Dallas, she earned 12 credits at a local community college by taking speech, government, psychology, and sociology. Because the courses were part of a dual-enrollment partnership, they counted toward her high school graduation requirements, too.
Read more at Education Week >>Tagged: Choices, College, High school
Calm down, parents: Math standards boost skills, understanding
January 25th, 2016Continuing our theme of featuring students’ writing, this week we spotlight one of our 10th graders who is a passionate supporter of education reform and high standards for K-12 schooling. Sahar Zadeh is a member of the statewide Student Voice Team, a part of Kentucky’s Prichard Committee efforts to mobilize adult and school-age citizens to strengthen public education. She wrote an opinion piece about math education which has received widespread attention, and is pleased to have us provide a link to its publication in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Congratulations, Sahar, on this publication and thanks for your willingness to share it with the Shrop Ed community.
We expect that many of our readers will share our appreciation of Sahar’s zeal and eloquence, and maybe a few of you will be inspired to think about what you can do to have an impact on your own educational environments. Whether you’re in a public or private day school, a boarding school, or college … or whether you’re a parent reading our blog, each of you has the power to change the world!
Article published January 3, 2016
Written by: Sahar Zadeh
Math is currently being taught in a way most people over the age of 30 may not understand.
It doesn’t take anything more than a multi-step subtraction problem to result in a wide spectrum of reactions, including Facebook posts from confused parents that go viral.
But there is a reason behind the creation and implementation of our state’s math standards, and it is not a mystery.
Read more at Lexington Herald Leader >>
Tagged: Boarding school, College, High school, Opportunity
St. Louis’ private high school math doesn’t add up
December 21st, 2013St. Louis Business Journal covers rising private school tuition:
“Private high schools in St. Louis are grappling with a bad economy and a smaller pool of prospective students. Yet all are raising tuition, and most are maintaining enrollment.
Most of this year’s tuition increases are in the 3 and 4 percent range, a lot less than the increases of 6 percent and more that were common before the recession. …
Tagged: High school
Preparing for final exams
May 6th, 2013De Shan Lett, Director of Cognitive Skills at one of the country’s finest prep schools, Emma Willard, recently sent a letter to parents about how their daughters can best prepare for finals. Her recommendations are so sensible and clear that I wanted to share them more broadly. With her permission, text from her letter follows here:
I’ve created a short list of suggestions that I’ve been sharing with students as they trickle into my office. Please feel free to co-opt my suggestions as your own and suggest and assist other strategies as you see fit.
A few simple steps to prepare for final exams:
Step One:
Encourage them to talk to their teachers. If the final hasn’t already been discussed in class, now would be a great time for them to make an appointment with their teacher to discuss the final and their recommendations for preparation.
Step Two:
Gather all materials. Tests, quizzes, and previously created study guides, cards, or charts. Remind them that some courses have cumulative exams. What that means for them is that the test they took the last week in September will certainly come in handy! If they’ve accidently recycled it, suggest they speak with their teacher directly. Most teachers will willingly provide a blank copy of the test.
Step Three:
Create a plan. Students should use their calendar to determine the days and times between now and exam week they will devote to finals review. There are four weekends between now and then. Encourage them to specify exactly what they will focus on and suggest they set a goal for the amount of time they will spend on each subject.
Step Four:
Suggest that they use a variety of study methods. More active rather than passive learning and review is the key. I always suggest that students attempt to introduce (or reintroduce) the information to their brains in a variety of ways. Say it! See it! Write it! Hear it! Flash cards, chart paper, dry erase boards, and programs such as Photo Booth are all useful tools for studying.
Thank you, De Shan, for your willingness to have this wisdom shared beyond the Emma community.
Tagged: High school
