GETTING AHEAD IN COLLEGE EDUCATION

A decade ago, many students entering college didn't expect to graduate within the traditional four years without heavy class loads or summer sessions.

That's because the requirements for earning a degree were increasing, students needed more credits to graduate and classes were so tough that advisers said to take fewer credits each semester.

That trend is changing, however, as high school students have more opportunities to gain college credit prior to graduation.

Two early college credit programs -- dual enrollment and Advanced Placement -- are expanding greatly across the nation. And a decision three years ago by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education to reimburse students for tuition costs if they perform well on state standardized tests is expected to spark even more interest, particularly for students who want to finish college faster or be more relaxed during those years.

"It's definitely much cheaper," said Gordonville, Mo., parent Joyce Clark, whose son and daughter both participated in early college credit opportunities. She said she recently learned of the state reimbursement program and, because her daughter has typically been a high-achieving student, expects to see some benefit before her daughter graduates next year.

Students like Jackson High School senior Laura Nenninger said earning early college credit reduces the total amount she will pay to earn her college degree. Most programs cut tuition by as much as two-thirds for high school students.

"I have to pay for my own college, so why not save some money now?" said Nenninger, who is completing an English composition course worth three hours of credit at Southeast Missouri State University.

Challenging courses

In addition to the financial benefit, Clark said students benefit from having more challenging coursework in their final high school years.

"She's always been a good student. She knows that's her job, and we expect that out of her," said Clark, whose daughter, Katie, is enrolled in dual enrollment classes at Jackson High School. "I think it does keep them disciplined and not slacking off."

Steve Chapman, coordinator of off-campus programs at Southeast, said improved access to college courses for high school students gives them more opportunities in their college careers.

Students may choose to graduate earlier or pursue a double major, he said. Or, if students are not sure what they will major in, they can experiment with courses without greatly prolonging their college careers.

"It just gets a student ahead in the game," Chapman said.

Generally, students must be recommended by their principal to participate in college classes during their junior or senior years in high school. Entrance exams and other criteria, including grade point averages and prerequisite classes, also are considered before students are allowed to enroll.

"The concept of early college credit is based on the assumption that there are a number of high school students who, by reasons of effort or ability, are ready to take college courses early," Chapman said.

Most area high schools offer early college credit in the form of dual enrollment and Advanced Placement classes.

Nearly two dozen area schools participate in Southeast's dual enrollment program, which allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll at discount tuition rates in some 30 classes offered at the university.

Dual enrollment

Dual enrollment is most beneficial to students who plan to attend the offering institution, since the classes may not transfer to other colleges.

That's why area students who don't plan to attend Southeast more often opt to take Advanced Placement courses, which were created by the same organization that developed the SAT college entrance exam.

AP classes are nationally normed, college-level courses that culminate in standardized tests. Based on their exam scores, students may earn as many as nine college credits for a single class.

"Data indicates kids who take AP courses are more likely to graduate college in a shorter time and within a four-year period," said Dr. Sterling Cossaboom, director of Advanced Placement teacher development at Southeast. "Other kids' perseverance rate is not as good as those who have taken AP courses."

Teachers said another benefit of early college credit is the classes are taught by high school teachers in a high school classroom. Students have known the teachers previously, which often increases their comfort level with the classes.

"When I get to see my kids five days a week, I get to do more with my students than a college professor would," said Jackson High School English teacher Chris Warren. "I guess there's a little more of a comfort level here because we don't have a big enrollment list hanging over our heads."

But knowing the teachers can sometimes lead students to falsely believe they'll have no problems in the class, said Jackson math teacher Carol Keen.

In fact, teachers should have a higher expectation of students in terms of completing assignments and their ability to work independently that equals that at the college level. Students also must learn and retain material instead of simply memorizing for a test, which often happens at the high school level, Keen said.

"You have to train them to be more accountable," she said. "My approach is I try to teach them as close to the college level instruction as I can within the parameters of high school."

Teacher training

Teachers must attend mandatory 45-hour training programs to learn about the AP program and begin preparing coursework. They also are required to take the exams for classes they will teach so they understand what students will be expected to know and do to earn credits, Cossaboom said.

"They understand the rigor of the course, and they understand the only way kids are going to earn college credit is through their performance on the AP exams," he said.

Similarly, Southeast faculty members work with teachers to ensure the appropriate subjects are covered during dual enrollment classes. Additionally, teachers must be qualified to teach at the college level -- master's degree plus an additional 18 hours -- before they can teach a dual enrollment class.

"It's not like we approve a high school teacher sight unseen," Chapman said.

Nenninger, the Jackson High student, said she hasn't changed the way she views classwork, and she welcomes the challenge presented in the early college credit classes.

"I expect so much of myself that if they expect more of me, it's like encouragement and not going to bother me," she said..