Dual Credit Saving Students Time and Money Annice Brave: Teacher

Dual Credit Saving Students Time
and Money
Lewis and Clark’s High School Partnership program
offers students at 18 area schools the opportunity to start
earning college credits before they leave high school. For
some, that means getting the opportunity to start college as
a sophomore, taking less intimidating course loads, or even
graduating early.
The program, accredited by the National Alliance of
Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, saw a 15 percent
increase in the number of students receiving dual credit
in 2010 and a 30 percent increase in the number of credit
hours taken.
Because the courses are free (no charge for tuition or
books) and many can be transferred to other colleges and
universities, dual credit
“This fall’s credit
opportunities equate to
hours taken by high substantial savings for
area families in a
school students
struggling economy.
represent a savings
“This fall’s credit
hours taken by high
of $1,122,264 for
school students
district parents.”
represent a savings of
$1,122,264 for
district parents, and that number is based only on Lewis
and Clark’s low tuition rate,” Vice President of Enrollment
Services Kent Scheffel said.
Riley Hale, a Godfrey resident and senior in Journalism
2 at Alton High School, said working as the photo editor
for the RedBird Word student newspaper has not only been
a fun learning experience, but also a nice head start as she
plans to pursue an education in journalism, possibly at
Southeast Missouri State University. She’ll have 18 college
credits before she even sets foot on campus.
“It’s saving me money. I have to go to college three and a
half years instead of four,” she said.
The Edwardsville School District reached an all time high
by offering 46 dual credit courses this fall – the most ever
offered by a high school in the dual credit program.
“We were amazed to see such a large number of courses
and students from one school district who are taking
advantage of the dual credit offering,” Scheffel said. “I
believe that more parents are realizing the value of their
student earning college credit – at no cost to them – while
they attend high school. I am sure this college savings is
even more significant given the current economy.”
Annice Brave:
Teacher of the
Year 2011
Illinois’ Teacher of the Year for 2011
Annice Brave is an instrumental force for Lewis and
Clark’s dual credit program at Alton High School.
Chair of the AHS English Department since 2000,
and journalism advisor since 1995, Brave teaches
a wide spectrum of classes across many academic
levels, from English and Journalism honors classes
to night school English. As advisor to the RedBird
Media Group, she oversees the RedBird Word, a
monthly student newspaper; Calliope, the fine arts
magazine; WLCA 89.9-2 HD, broadcasting three days
a week; and Channel One News, broadcasting news
and public service announcements every school day.
Many of her junior and senior level courses count
as dual credit at Lewis and Clark, which can be
transferred to other colleges and universities.
“I am very proud to be a member of the dual credit
partnership with L&C,” Brave said. “To have the
opportunity to help kids achieve their dreams is the
biggest payoff there is.”
Brave is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher at
Alton High School, and is currently one of four
finalists for National Teacher of the Year 2011.
Reprinted from Lewis and Clark Community College’s
Summer/Fall 2011 Discover
In Their Own Words
Chris Kratschmer
Marquette Catholic High School Class of 2008
Notre Dame junior (expected grad in 2012)
Accounting and History major
Will be able to sit for CPA exam after only four years of
college
It takes most students at least a partial fifth year in college to collect
the 150 college credits needed to sit for the CPA exam, but thanks
to dual credit courses he took while at MCHS and summer school
at Lewis and Clark, Kratschmer will be able to take it after only four
years at Notre Dame.
“Normally, students would graduate with just more than 120 credits,
but I’ll be at 150 at graduation,” said the Godfrey native. “You can save
a lot of money through dual credit, and it’s really convenient.”
He’s planning to spend his Spring Semester this year studying
abroad in Dublin, Ireland.
Alton High School Class of 2010
Pittsburg State University sophomore (expected grad in 2014)
Biology and Commercial Graphics major
Started first year of college as a sophomore with 36 dual
credit hours
With 36 college credit hours earned from AHS, Joseph will be able
to earn two bachelor’s degrees in only four years instead of five or six.
“It’s a great deal because I would have had to pay more money to
come here for more years. Plus, I got several classes out of the way,
including Public Speaking. I took it in a smaller class where I knew
everyone, and now I don’t have to take it in college,” she said. “There
was definitely a different atmosphere and more work to do, but my
dual credit classes were a lot more like college courses. I think the
teachers did a good job teaching us not only the material, but what to
expect in a college classroom.”
Joseph, a dancer from Godfrey, now dances for Pitt State.
Brett Ostrander
Sara Joseph
Edwardsville High School Class of 2007 (Valedictorian)
Stanford University senior (expected grad 2011)
Human Biology major, planning on attending medical school
Took more comfortable course loads at Stanford, thanks to
dual credit
Instead of graduating early, Ostrander took advantage of his earned
dual credits by reducing his courseloads at Stanford University to a
comfortable level.
“Not having to take as many units as other people gave me a little
more flexibility,” Ostrander said. “The thing that helped me the most
was my Spanish transfer credits. Stanford requires a full year of foreign
language, but I was fortunate enough to already have that done.”
Ostrander said the dual credit courses were on par with honors level
courses for him, but well worth the effort.
“If you’re planning on going to college, you’re probably going to have
to take some of these classes anyway. If you take them in high school,
you can save the money on tuition and books and the time. It would
be really beneficial,” he said.