Minneapolis South High senior Sean
Buehlmann is finding ways to both challenge and reward herself. She
is among a growing group of students taking advantage of Dual Credit
courses – where students earn high school credit and free college
credit at the same time.
Buehlmann took college classes for
free at Minneapolis Community and Technical College to learn the
Dakota language, an interest of hers that she wasn’t able to fulfill
at her high school. She has now earned free college credit while
studying the Dakota language through the state-funded Post Secondary
Enrollment Options program.
Micah Hill is a former Dual Credit
student who is now in his second year of college at MCTC. Upon
enrolling he learned that he had already fulfilled three of his
college requirements through Dual Credit, which allowed him greater
freedom to choose more interesting classes. Hill is planning to
transfer into a four-year program to obtain a degree in psychology.
He recently lamented that his only regret is, “I wish I would have
taken more Dual Credit.”
Across the river, St. Paul Public
Schools student Ben Rybisky earned free college credit through his
school’s Project Lead the Way program courses in engineering. Open
World Learning Community is one of many schools in Minnesota who are
offering PLTW college-level courses where students earn free college
credit in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and
math). Rybinsky took his classes at Saint Paul College, where he was
able to get a taste for the experience of college. He is now set to
graduate this spring and has been accepted to several colleges.
different programs that allow high school students to earn free
college credit. Classes can take place at the high school, on a
college campus, online or credits can be earned through one-time
tests. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College in
the Schools or concurrent enrollment, Project Lead the Way, Post
Secondary Enrollment Options and College-Level Examination Program
are the most common opportunities utilized by Minnesota students.
They have been able to graduate college one or two years early.
These Dual Credit programs are ways
for students to earn free college credits, saving time and money in
their post-secondary education. But they can also provide important
experience and preparation for college. National research has shown
that students who take these types of courses are more likely to
graduate from high school, twice as likely to enter a college or
university and about twice as likely to persist and graduate with a
degree.
Additional research suggests that
not only are these programs good for students who have traditionally
had access to them (white and middle class students), but their
positive effects are even more pronounced for typically under-served
students – those from low income families and students of color.
recent analysis of data from the Minnesota Department of Education by
the Center for School Change shows growing numbers of students are
participating in Dual Credit programs. Over the last five years,
every program showed growth, including in Native American students.
Although the percentage of Native students in these programs grew
with a 28 percent to 140 percent increase, they are still
underrepresented in these opportunities. One case in point: only 12
of the 2,799 students, statewide, who participated in IB in 2012 were
Native American, a 140 percent increase over the five Native students
who participated in 2007. The reports and research can be found
online at www.centerforschoolchange.org/dual-credit/reports.
good news is that more and more students and families are learning
about these programs and the positive impact they can have. Schools
and community organizations are also working to provide more Dual
Credit opportunities. MIGIZI Communications is working with South
High School, Nawayee Center School and others to encourage Native
American students to participate in these programs. They have
received support from the US Department of Ed’s Office of Indian
Education, through a demonstration grant with their Native Academy
Connections project.
Students who are interested in these programs should check with their
high school counselor to see if AP, IB, CIS, PLTW, or concurrent
enrollment is available. PSEO is available to students at any high
school.
For more information on Dual Credit
programs, including videos, student experiences and an interactive
map, visit: www.centerforschoolchange.org/dual-credit and
www.readysetgomn.org.
