Lipscomb and David Lipscomb High School team up to offer Dual-Credit Program
|
At David Lipscomb High School's graduation on Saturday, 31 students graduated with college credit through a new Dual-Credit Program initiated this academic year between the university and high school, said Mark Pugh, principal of DLHS. The program enables students to receive dual-credit for taking a course in the high school that is taught with college level curriculum and instruction.
"For over one hundred years, high school age students have received their formal education on the campus of Lipscomb University," said Pugh. "Throughout that time, high school students have been able to benefit from the vast resources of a university faculty, library, science labs, a fiber optic network, outstanding athletic facilities, and a host of other benefits afforded to only those who attend a high school located on a university campus.
"This new venture speaks to the distinctive nature of the high school being on a university campus by maximizing on the resources available to the high school students. Through the Dual-Credit Program, high school students who meet certain requirements can receive the benefit of gaining both high school credit and transferable university credit while enhancing his or her preparation for university studies."
The council of deans at Lipscomb University approved the Dual-Credit Program, excited to have the opportunity to provide this service.
"We're always happy to collaborate in academic endeavors that will help students prepare for the challenge of college," said Val Prill, dean of the college of arts and humanities at Lipscomb. "The partnership with David Lipscomb High School enables us to provide this service while making the transition to college an easier move."
Lipscomb professors oversee the Dual-Credit Program to ensure that the courses are on the same level academically as similar sections offered at Lipscomb. The professors review the planned curriculum to ensure that the course syllabus covers the same objectives as the college courses. The students' work is evaluated at the same level as college class work, and Lipscomb professors observe the course throughout the year to ensure college-level preparation takes place. The course instructors even meet the same requirements as adjunct professors at Lipscomb, according to Prill. All of this ensures that the dual-credit courses are being taught on a level parallel with those taught at the university.
"The Dual-Credit Program challenges students to keep working and growing," said Prill. "The program has benefited the university because it provides a way for us to offer more college preparation to the students. The program also enables the university professors to have more contact with the high school teachers, which helps build community within the campus."
Courses offered this year with a dual-credit option were modern history and English IV honors. Students are evaluated for entry into the courses on the basis of an application, transcript, ACT or SAT scores, two letters of reference, a letter of recommendation from the principal of the high school and by maintaining a B- average, said Pugh.
Students will receive three hours of university credit for an additional cost of $300 per class. This allows for a third means by which a Lipscomb High School student can graduate from high school with college/university credit. For years students have had the option to take the College Level Early Placement (CLEP) Test to determine placement in a variety of college/university classes. In the 1999 academic year, Lipscomb began offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Current AP courses include AP biology, AP chemistry, AP Spanish IV, AP calculus. The Dual-Credit Program compliments these programs.
For more information on any of these programs, contact the high school office at 615.269.1784 or the high school guidance office at 615.279.6403.
--30--