“UW program expanded for Kent high-school students” by Olivia Bobrowsky
The Seattle Times
Published 2/11/2011
Retrieved 2/13/2011
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014201274_uwpartnership12m.html
Intended Audience: educators, parents, and the general public
Summary: Beginning with the Kent school district for now, the University of Washington has expanded its AP program to the potential for an entire year’s worth of college credit. Students enrolled in the program receive intensive instruction in the high school setting that will prepare them for the higher demands of college. While enrolled, students pay approximately 20% of standard tuition for up to 45 credits. In addition, this will allow students to obtain a college degree in three years, instead of the standard four.
Key Points: It’s a win-win situation:
• Up to 1 year of college credit
• Completion of degree in 3 years after high school
• 20% tuition rate
• Easier transition into more rigorous academic demands
Relevance: All the points are great, but the preparation is key. The first year of college is a culture-shocking transitional experience in many ways: higher academic demands, greater financial responsibilities, new people, and a new-found freedom. Minimizing even one of these transitional factors will be overwhelmingly positive in the student’s academic, emotional, and social success. This program is especially important for those lower-income, first-generation college goers who will only get one shot.
Kevy, I agree with your point of preparation being key. The AP courses will be great for preparing students academically, and even getting some college credit out of the way, but it is always interesting to see how different students react to this culture shock. I was a Boxer Ambassador and an FYS mentor here at Pacific, and I would encounter some students who were great academically in high school, but could not handle their time management with all of the freedom they now had. Some kids ended up doing very poorly in a few classes, others ended up dropping out. But I think that with the right preparation, the right motivations and goals to instill in students, it can be a great benefit to have those extra skills and extra credit out of the way. Thanks for the article!
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