窪蹋勛圖厙

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In winter 2011, the 窪蹋勛圖厙 is launching an accelerated program allowing students to graduate in three years. It allows high school students to enroll in 窪蹋勛圖厙 courses, mostly held in the comfort of their own school as well as during the summer on the 窪蹋勛圖厙 campus. Students will earn a 窪蹋勛圖厙 Accelerated Program certificate upon successful completion of the 45-credit program.

The 窪蹋勛圖厙 Accelerated Program introduces students to the rigors and expectations of university-level coursework and smoothes the transition from high school to college. It also offers students a stronger application for admission to the 窪蹋勛圖厙 built on a proven record of success in 窪蹋勛圖厙 coursework.

The 窪蹋勛圖厙 is collaborating with Kent School District to pilot the program, with plans to expand the program to other districts across the state in 2012. Kent was chosen for its strong interest and early commitment. Working with its diverse student population in the pilot phase will also provide a good test case for students and school districts across the state.

Edward Lee Vargas, superintendent of the Kent School District (and 窪蹋勛圖厙 alumnus), stated, “Im excited about our 窪蹋勛圖厙 partnership and the tremendous opportunities for our students as we focus on accelerating equity and excellence in college and career readiness for all. David Szatmary, 窪蹋勛圖厙 vice provost for Educational Outreach, said, “Were pleased by this opportunity for the 窪蹋勛圖厙 to help coordinate a smoother path from high school to college.

The 窪蹋勛圖厙 Accelerated Program builds on the framework of 窪蹋勛圖厙 in the High School (窪蹋勛圖厙HS) by expanding offerings to 45 窪蹋勛圖厙 credits. For nearly 30 years, 窪蹋勛圖厙HS has provided 窪蹋勛圖厙 courses in English composition, history, world languages, computing, mathematics and sciences to its partner K-12 school districts. Accredited by the National Association for Concurrent Enrollment, supported by several 窪蹋勛圖厙 academic departments and administered by 窪蹋勛圖厙 Educational Outreach, 窪蹋勛圖厙HS last year reached more than 2,700 students in 60 schools throughout the state. Students complete 窪蹋勛圖厙 courses and earn 窪蹋勛圖厙 credit in their own classrooms with their own teachers who work with a 窪蹋勛圖厙 academic liaison.

窪蹋勛圖厙 Accelerated Program students will earn most of their 45 窪蹋勛圖厙 credits during the school year while participating in 窪蹋勛圖厙HS courses offered by their school. Not only will they have the dedicated support of their own faculty, but will also benefit from a slower academic pace with the 窪蹋勛圖厙 curriculum delivered over a semester or an entire year. They can also earn credits in the summer by enrolling in a wide variety of 窪蹋勛圖厙 Summer Quarter classes and 窪蹋勛圖厙 Discovery Seminars, monthlong courses designed to smooth the transition between high school and college.

Benefits to students are many. In a recent 窪蹋勛圖厙HS program survey, the majority of respondents currently attending college reported that 窪蹋勛圖厙HS courses prepared them for college-level work and helped fulfill college or university exit requirements. 窪蹋勛圖厙HS differs from other dual enrollment programs in that the final grade does not depend on one high-stakes test but is rather earned over time.

Successful completion of the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Accelerated Program will strengthen participants application to 窪蹋勛圖厙 by providing a proven track record. The 窪蹋勛圖厙 credits they earn are also highly portable, accepted by most public universities and many private ones across the country. In addition, the program will provide a dedicated 窪蹋勛圖厙 liaison and advisors to work with and guide students.

The 窪蹋勛圖厙 Accelerated Program will also grant high school students access to opportunities and intellectual resources that only the 窪蹋勛圖厙 can offer, particularly in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. For example, a NASA grant awarded to the 窪蹋勛圖厙 funds the development of a 窪蹋勛圖厙HS course on climate science. The course will include opportunities for student contact with 窪蹋勛圖厙 NASA-funded researchers. A grant from National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH/NIDA) is funding development of an online 窪蹋勛圖厙HS biology course. That course will involve students in core biology concepts using the science of addiction and drug abuse as a context to add relevance to the learning experience.

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For more information, contact Bob Roseth, 窪蹋勛圖厙 director of News & Information, at 206-543-2580 or roseth@uw.edu, or Chris Loftis of the Kent School District, at 253-373-7524, or chris.loftis@kent.k12.wa.us.