Dual Credit Classes In Ag Offered At Area High Schools
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Staff Report-
WEST LAFAYETTE - Attention high school agriculture students: Thinking of going to college? Take a class now. Earn college credit. Why wait?
It sounds like an advertisement, but consider it free advice that many are heeding.
Young people looking to get an early start on their college education are taking advantage of a statewide program that lets them take college courses while still in high school and earn credit toward both a high school diploma and a college degree. Dual-credit courses also help to build confidence in students unsure of whether college is for them.
"Taking a dual-credit course motivates students to think about going on to college and realize that they could actually succeed in college," said John Graveel, interim associate dean of the Purdue University College of Agriculture and director of the college's Office of Academic Programs. The college offers dual-credit agriculture classes for high school students across the state.
Dual-credit classes in agriculture could be especially appealing following a report this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Purdue projecting that more jobs in agriculture and related occupations will be added annually through 2015 than there will be qualified graduates. Most of the jobs are expected to be in business and science occupations, with others in agriculture, forestry production, education, communication and government services.
Dual-credit courses offer a way for high school students to get a jump not only on their college education but also on their career, said Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett. State law since 2007 has required all high schools to offer at least two dual-credit courses.
"Dual-credit courses that deliver rigorous content and allow high school students to work toward their college degree are essential in preparing our students for college and career success," Bennett said.
In the Purdue Agriculture program, college-level classes are taught at the high school by qualified high school teachers or college instructors during the regular school day. The classes count toward their high school diploma and, if they earn a grade of at least a C, toward a college degree. To receive college credit, they also must pay tuition for each class, although at a reduced rate.
"From a parent's perspective, this is great because it means fewer credit hours that their sons or daughters would have to take in college," Graveel said.
Purdue Agriculture's program has grown from 20 students in the 2007-08 academic year to 282 last year. Figures for this year are not yet available because participating high schools are not required to report their enrollments until January.
Forty-six high schools have committed to offering Purdue agriculture classes this school year, up from 38 last year. Among the more successful programs is at Lebanon High School, where students can take as many as three courses and a third of the students go on to Purdue.Among the participating high schools are Fairfield High School, Warsaw Community High School/Warsaw Area Career Center, Wawasee High School and West Noble High School.
