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Who in the world would want to extend some of the most agonizing and jaded years of their lives from 4 to 5? To another year of hall passes, tardies, homework and dress codes. My brother did! He has always been the type that likes school (aka nerd), but this much, geez?!
Disclaimer: My brother knows very well is is a nerd, and that his oldest sister writing this blog is one as well.
5 years ago my younger brother told me he would be going to high school for 5 years instead of 4.
"Wait, why," I asked? My brother was already a year older than most in his grade because he started kindergarten a year later than most. "You will graduate when you are almost 20 years old." I said back concerned.
"But, I will have an associates degree when I graduate and a diploma," answered my brother.
I have to admit at the time I was skeptical. My brother graduated from high school this year with 116 hours of college credit, almost a bachelors degree. He will be transferring in to University of North Carolina -Chapel Hill to be a Tarheel this fall to major in linguistics. I couldn't be prouder and very glad he had the foresight (and my Dad to make him) choose this path.
Education Week recently posted an article about Maine moving to a five year high school plan to ease the transition from high school to college. They are modeling their plan off observations of North Carolina's plan. I can say from my own personal skepticism and worries, it is worth it. I do have to say though Maine's plan seems to provide free college credits and I know my Dad did pay for my brother's. I think Maine is on to something here. For most students that have a hard time transitioning from high school to college, financing is often one of the more intimidating factors.
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Works Cited
Associated Press. Maine Gov. Wants 5 Year High School. Education Week. Published July 26, 2011 online. Retrieved July 26, 2011 from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/07/26/444373me5yearhighschool_ap.html
Kudos to your nerdy brother! I managed to accumulate about 12 undergraduate college credits during my senior year of high school. When I transferred them into CMU as an undergrad, they were reduced to 10.67 credits but included my oral English competency, among other things. I was grateful to have the 'leg up' at the time. Ultimately, the credits did not get me to college graduation any faster but I would not have given up the experience regardless. I think your brother and others like him are part of a new generation of student who are breaking out of the old models with finite transition points. More evolution in this direction is needed if Education is to become truly personalized and kept affordable. I commend your brother and you for supporting him... Finally, I commend your state for its forward thinking in this arena!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very interesting proposition as it will make the transition to college easier. But I do have a few questions: Who is paying for this? Is it all online? How exactly does this work if you live 2 hours away from the campus?
ReplyDeleteIt is important that we as educators help our students get ready and prepared for college. That means that we must have rigorous classes and instill within our students self-motivation. Once they have that self-motivation, they will be able to succeed at their post-secondary school.
It will be very interesting to see where education goes. A few years ago, I heard that some people believed that only 3 years of high school were necessary.
By the way, congratulations to your brother for doing so well!
I know that in NC the class are taken at the local community college or university. The students go to school there instead of high school and gradually as they get closer to their 5th year they attend more and more college level classes. Also my Dad paid for my brothers, however I'm sure there is some type of assitance for students. I'm not sure what Maine has in plan for their early college high school students. I believe there are already a few of these high schools oprating in Michigan. I know U-M Flint has one.
ReplyDeleteThis article was not at all what I expected when I started reading it. Maybe it is because I teach At-Risk students, many of my students need a 5th year of high school but not for the same reasons your brother does. At some point my students feel behind in credit. The new high school graduation requirements in Michigan have made it more difficult for students to get through the 4th year math requirement among others. Also, many times students are not mature enough to graduate even though they are 18! I have seen a 5th year of school do amazing things for students. It allows them to slow down the curriculum a little bit, it also may offer them the chance to get some sort of tech training. The current problem that many students in this situation face is that if they don't graduate in 4 years, they are considered a drop-out, even if they graduate in a 5th year! This significantly effects the schools AYP grades, so many schools, in the best interest of the district, does not "allow" this as an option.... I hope that for situations like your brothers or my students that this opportunity becomes more of a reality!
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a very economical way for students to begin their college transition. For one, students are in a setting with other students their age, but the benefit is that most of these high school/ college transition programs provide a lower cost for college credit, if any cost to the student at all.
ReplyDeleteDistricts that are partnering with community colleges I think are doing service to their students and community by providing the means for all students to seek out at the least an associates degree.
I personally was able to take college English course my last year of high school instead of high school senior english, so I see great incentive for high school programs that offer college credit. These programs make a lot of sense if community colleges are integrating with high school programs and I am glad to see they are improving the number of classes to an associate's degree for some high schools. This would be a great service for low income families who can not afford to put their kids through college. Hopefully, these types of programs will expand nationwide.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of the others who have already posted comments--five years of high school seems like a really good idea for some students, especially those who may be ready for college level work, but not yet ready for the entire college experience. Our high school (in Michigan) offers "dual enrollment," where students can take a certain number of college credits while still enrolled in high school, and the students do not have to pay for the credits--the high schools do. We also participate in the ISD's Math/Science Center, where qualified students take a half day of high school and a half day of college during their junior and senior years. As far as I know, though, there is no fifth year opportunity, but who knows, that could be a possibility down the line. By the way, I always liked school, too!
ReplyDelete