A High School Diploma in One Hand and an Associate's Degree in the Other.

I recall being in my high school speech class when the teacher told our lethargic group of seniors about CLEP tests.  It was May, the sun was shining and it was about 70 degrees....the idea that you could test out of required classes made some of the group quite excited.  In fact, each of us was planning to head to a different college in the fall.  It left me wondering about the benefit of such a test.  I was excited to go to college and do as much as possible...academically speaking of course.  I had set some goals for entering college and my expectations of myself.  As you know, eighteen year old boys consistently have one thing on their minds...post-secondary academic planning. 

I was excited this week as I began to analyze ITED data (don't laugh...it's cool).  My mission: identify students eligible for PSEO courses.  PSEO's are Post-Secondary Enrollment Options.  How are you eligible? Through proficient scores on reading, math, and science as measured by the Iowa Tests of Educational Development.   These programs are open to high school juniors and seniors and allow the students to earn college credit as well as high school credit.  This is where the concept of today's title emerges.  It is, in fact, already being done. There have been students across the country who have graduated high school as college juniors.  I am thrilled by the opportunities opened to these students as they emerge newly minted 21st Century thinkers. 

Granted, college may not be for everyone.  I understand that to make it to high school graduation is enough of a battle for some students (parents, teachers, and administrators too!).  To those students I say, "Find a course that might seem interesting.  You like writing...take a composition class!"  It's hard to argue that education beyond the high school level is without benefit.  Even taking some courses in areas that are interesting and earning some college credit do more than simply applying the brakes after high school.  If PSEO's still aren't interesting, it is going to be about getting to the bottom of what the student wants to do in life and connecting them with a certificate program or supplementary courses beyond high school. I cannot do it alone, nor can the counselors, or administrators. Lifelong learning needs to be encouraged by as many voices as possible.

I am pumped by the fact that 68 of this year's junior class (roughly 100 students) are eligible to take PSEO courses.  My next step: find these kids and encourage them.  Simultaneously I will find other adults to encourage these students as well.

This push isn't just to make our school look great.  It is a point of pride that so many of our students enroll in these courses and do well.  I know that I am not alone in wanting the best for our students.  Through opening doors to future options...we may just be doing one more thing to help these kids gain the real world experiences they need to be competitive in today's rapidly changing world.