Students Opt for Earning Early Credits

By Jennifer Jackson Staff Writer
The Oklahoman
Reprinted with permission from The Oklahoman
Nov. 12, 2006

When Michael Hume graduates from Moore High School in May he will have already completed about 24 college credits.

The 18-year-old has spent his last two years of high school in the Networking program at Moore Norman Technology Center because he said he wanted to work towards something besides graduating from high school.

“It’s focusing on your future,” he said. “In high school you’re not working for your future, you’re working for your graduation.”

In 2005, the state began a program, which partners technology centers with colleges or universities to allow students to work toward their associate of applied science degrees is a cost effective way, according to the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

Moore Norman Technology Center has a primary alliance with Oklahoma City Community College, said Lynda Kouri, executive director of Moore Norman Technology Center.

High school students can receive college credit for $8 a credit hour and can earn up to 43 college credits by the time they graduate if they take classes during their junior and senior years of high school, said Kouri.

This year 167 high school students are enrolled through Moore Norman Technology Center to receive credit at Oklahoma City Community College.

“Any college credit they can get on our campus is not only moving them toward their future but is saving them money,” Kouri said. “The alliance ensures that students get a better education.”

Students must meet certain criteria before being accepted into the college alliance programs. High school students must have an ACT test score of 19, a Plan pre-ACT test score of 15 or higher or an overall high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher and complete an application for college admission.

Kouri said 18 programs are included in the alliance with Oklahoma City Community College. Students can choose from programs such as accounting, health science technology, pre-nursing or graphic design.

Next year the center will offer college credits for general education classes such as English, math and history.

Mid-Del Technology Center formed a college alliance with Rose State College in May and has 57 high school students participating in the program, said Nancy Sullivan, marketing director for Mid-Del Technology Center.

Before the alliance, Mid-Del Technology Center had a cooperative agreement with Rose State College and students had to complete 12 credit hours at Rose State before their credits from the technology center were included on their college transcript.

“The alliance was formed to emphasize the completion of Mid-Del Technology Center programs and the completion of degrees,” Sullivan said.

Mid-Del Technology Center has 11 programs included in the alliance with Rose State College.

Some of the programs are welding, early care and education of children and automotive collision and repair.

By January health careers certification will be added to the alliance, Counselor Cindi Manwell said.

“All of the health careers students end up going to college,” she said.

Hume said he is glad he decided to work on his college degree while in high school and would encourage other students to do the same.

“It gives you a little heads up of how college is,” he said. “Don’t be afraid of trying something for your future.”

Students Opt for Earning Early Credits By Jennifer Jackson Staff Writer The Oklahoman Reprinted with permission from The Oklahoman Nov. 12, 2006 When Michael Hume graduates from Moore High School in May he will have already completed about 24 college credits. The 18-year-old has spent his last two years of high school in the Networking program at Moore Norman Technology Center because he said he wanted to work towards something besides graduating from high school. “It’s focusing on your future,” he said. “In high school you’re not working for your future, you’re working for your graduation.” In 2005, the state began a program, which partners technology centers with colleges or universities to allow students to work toward their associate of applied science degrees is a cost effective way, according to the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. Moore Norman Technology Center has a primary alliance with Oklahoma City Community College, said Lynda Kouri, executive director of Moore Norman Technology Center. High school students can receive college credit for $8 a credit hour and can earn up to 43 college credits by the time they graduate if they take classes during their junior and senior years of high school, said Kouri. This year 167 high school students are enrolled through Moore Norman Technology Center to receive credit at Oklahoma City Community College. “Any college credit they can get on our campus is not only moving them toward their future but is saving them money,” Kouri said. “The alliance ensures that students get a better education.” Students must meet certain criteria before being accepted into the college alliance programs. High school students must have an ACT test score of 19, a Plan pre-ACT test score of 15 or higher or an overall high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher and complete an application for college admission. Kouri said 18 programs are included in the alliance with Oklahoma City Community College. Students can choose from programs such as accounting, health science technology, pre-nursing or graphic design. Next year the center will offer college credits for general education classes such as English, math and history. Mid-Del Technology Center formed a college alliance with Rose State College in May and has 57 high school students participating in the program, said Nancy Sullivan, marketing director for Mid-Del Technology Center. Before the alliance, Mid-Del Technology Center had a cooperative agreement with Rose State College and students had to complete 12 credit hours at Rose State before their credits from the technology center were included on their college transcript. “The alliance was formed to emphasize the completion of Mid-Del Technology Center programs and the completion of degrees,” Sullivan said. Mid-Del Technology Center has 11 programs included in the alliance with Rose State College. Some of the programs are welding, early care and education of children and automotive collision and repair. By January health careers certification will be added to the alliance, Counselor Cindi Manwell said. “All of the health careers students end up going to college,” she said. Hume said he is glad he decided to work on his college degree while in high school and would encourage other students to do the same. “It gives you a little heads up of how college is,” he said. “Don’t be afraid of trying something for your future.”

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