Educational experiences that provide high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school are known in Oregon as "accelerated learning" programs. One form of Accelerated Learning in Oregon is Dual Credit.
Dual Credit is defined as awarding secondary and postsecondary credit for a course offered in a high school during regular school hours, as determined by local school board and community college board policy. Dual Credit courses are designed to help high school students' progress through postsecondary education by eliminating duplication of course work and/or proficiencies.
Students participating in accelerated learning are usually starting ona pathway to a college degree or certificate. These programs aim to privde bridges that support and encourage a college-going cutlture and reduce gaps in college access and academic achievement. They can smooth the transition into a college or university by enabling high school students to successfully earn college credit and better prepare for postsecondary expectations.
In Dual Credit courses, the high school teacher is qualified to act as a proxy faculty member for the college or university when teaching the course. These courses are sufficiently similar to enable the student to be described as "taking a course" from the postsecondary institution. Through ORS 340.310, the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) was charged with developing standards for dual credit and other high school based college credit partnership programs.
The Advanced Placement program, also known as AP is administered by The College Board and offered by high schools across the state. It allows students to participate in a college-level course while still in high school. Secondary schools and colleges cooperate in the AP program to give students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of and possibly earn college credit for specific college-level courses by taking the AP exam in May.
Each year, colleges and universities in Oregon renew the Statewide AP Course Credit Policy for these courses, and the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) coordinates with Oregon campuses on making and publishing these updates.
-The Dual Credit expereince helps to ease the transition from high school to college, and enable students to get a significant head starts with their educational and career goals.
-Introduces students to college-level coursework.
-Earning college credit while still in high school may enable students to graduate early and/or possibly even earn an associate degree, diploma or certificate.
-Students who participate in a dual credit program are more likely to go to college and get a college degree.
-Participating in a dual credit program demonstrates a student's ability to handle more difficult coursework which is something college admissions officers may look upon favorably during admissions and recruiting.
-Taking college-level classes while still in high school may build confidence and encourage those students who may not be thinking about college to reconsider.
-Participating students and their parents benefit by significant savings on tuition and fees.
Approved courses for Dual Credit are listed int the CHS Academic Planning Guide. Approved classes may include degree level or non-degree level courses in the five main acadmic areas (English, math, social studies, science, foreign language), as well as electives, career, technical and agricultural offerings.
Check out our Dual Credit Page for more information!
Take a look at what specific courses CHS offers in coorilation with the following colleges:
-Blue Mountain Community College