Commentary by Larry Lannan
High school students in Hamilton Southeastern Schools could soon have access to “dual credit” classes for college credit. That is, if state lawmakers allow local school administrators flexibility under the law.
Students currently have access to Advanced Placement classes that count toward college credit at many universities if students pass a test after completing the course. Dual credit classes will expand college credit opportunities.
“There are many college classes that are not offered in the AP style,” said HSE School Superintendent Brian Smith.
Smith describes the current system for obtaining state approval for dual credit classes as “cumbersome.” That is where the Indiana General Assembly enters the picture.
Local school officials plan on lobbying the state legislature to amend the current law governing accreditation. This would allow high-performing school districts such as HSE to offer dual credit classes without the difficult state approval process now in place. The dual credit classes would allow students to take regular high school classes taught at a higher college level, rather than take the additional AP classes for college credit. Smith said if the General Assembly allows the change, high school students could begin taking college credit courses as early as 9th grade.
Here’s how Smith plans to sell his plan to state lawmakers:
“If we’re doing a good job, give us the freedom to be innovative and we can do better things for our students,” Smith said.
HSE Schools already has more than 20 teachers accredited to instruct the college level dual-credit courses. These teachers need a master’s degree in the subject matter they are teaching and the universities require their own training for certification as adjunct professors.
To date, Purdue University, Ball State University and Indiana University are all participating. Smith said all three are working toward a system where the dual credit college classes accredited for one will be accepted by all three.
The Senior Academies, now under construction and due to open in August, 2015, will be a key part of this strategy. If the state makes the changes, seniors taking a full load of dual credit classes will have the same freedom to study and complete work outside the class as a college student on campus.
Our elected officials in the statehouse have the ability to allow HSE Schools the discretion for offering dual credit classes. The question is, will it happen?