District joins CAP to give students college boost

By Benita Heath | The Tribune

Published Wednesday, July 1, 2009

CHESAPEAKE — It’s all a part of reaching out to the community with education. That’s the philosophy behind the development of a partnership between Chesapeake schools and Ohio University.

Starting in the fall, qualifying students at Chesapeake can receive dual credit for certain classes as part of a recently started College Achievement Program or CAP.

That partnership was announced by Chesapeake Superintendent Dr. Scott Howard at the community celebration for the strategic plan Tuesday evening.

In CAP there are three possible ways a Chesapeake student can get college credit as part of a Strickland administration effort to offer dual enrollment opportunities to high school students.

In venue one, if a high school teacher has a master’s degree in a content area that person is qualified to teach a college class. What happens next is that teacher upgrades the high school class by using OU’s syllabus and class requirements. Any student who earns a grade of B or better will get college and high school credit. Those who don’t earn that grade level will receive only high school credit.

In venue two, there is not a high school teacher with a master’s degree. However, the school can still offer college credit by partnering with an OU instructor in a co-teaching relationship. Again the OU syllabus and requirements are used. But this time the OU professor teaches the class for two days a week with the remainder of the week under the direction of the high school teacher.

In venue three, there will be college level evening classes at the high school where OU will provide instructors. Those courses will be open to high school students and qualifying members of the community.

CAP was begun as a pilot program in the spring of 2009 at the South Point, Fairland, Dawson-Bryant and Chesapeake. This will be the first full year for the program.

“One of the things we are looking at doing is promoting opportunity in the county,” according to Robert Pleasant, director of student services. “This opens up the doors to many students who may not think college is an option. Hopefully students will have the opportunity to get that college experience and think, ‘I can do this.’ ‘’

Chesapeake schools will also offer through Ohio University continuing education classes starting this fall where participants can expand their skill level to develop new hobbies or recreational interests. These classes will meet at Chesapeake.

For more information on these programs, interested persons should contact Stephanie Burcham, director of OU Proctorville, at 886-7655.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---