en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:47:29 GMT 15 By Eric Prince
After seeing a need for aid in the mathematical and engineering fields, founder David Canine developed a program for Richland Community College as well as others in the Dallas County Community College District that allows students to receive both their high school diploma and associates degree at the same time. At first, the program was not targeted specifically at students enrolled in public high schools, but those that were home schooled. Richland Collegiate High School (R.C.H.S.) allows junior and senior level students to attend Richland College in place of their current high school, making them R.C.H.S. students. “The program came from demands we were getting from home school parents and private school parents,” Mr. Canine said. “It was clear to me there was a need for higher education in the mathematics and engineering fields than what has been previously offered for high school students as well as other people. Now, 200 students attend while getting both high school and college credit.” The need for the program was no greater for home schooled students than those enrolled at public schools, as shown by former student Christopher Wiseman. Mr. Canine reported that nearly 80 former GISD students are now in the program. “The classes were easy at first because I had some laid back instructors,” Wiseman said. “This semester, though, I got some pretty tough instructors, so the classes got a lot harder.” According to Wiseman, tough professors and collegiate level classes were well worth his time, especially since there was no cost. “Getting both college and high school credit for free is great,” Wiseman said. “I get to be prepared for college much better than others, so I will look better to college admissions offices when I transfer.” For future R.C.H.S. student sophomore Christopher Goss, the benefits described by Wiseman outway the cost. “The only reason I wouldn’t want to go is that I will miss a lot of people,” Goss said. “While I can finish high school, I can finish two years of college credit which helps cut down on fees.” To be accepted into the program, students must apply through the counselor’s office their sophomore or junior year and turn in with their application the previous year’s TAKS scores, a current high school transcript, attendance record, immunization records and they have to go through an interview process. Also, they must take what is called the Accuplacer test. “The test basically tells us what classes the students should be placed in,” Mr. Canine said. “It normally takes anywhere from three and a half hours up to five hours.” If a student is accepted, they receive a laptop from the school. If their test results are at college level, they are immediately placed in college classes. If not, they are placed in classes to prepare them for high level courses. “At first, I placed at college level for everything except math,” Christopher said. “I took the math portion of the test again two months later and was then placed in College Algebra.” Though much about their environment changes, many things stay the same for collegiate high school students in the program, according to Mr. Canine. “Students also participate in collegiate events,” Mr. Canine said. “They still have dances and they still have responsibility. It’s just at a college instead.” ]]> Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:59:00 GMT