Teens Have Chance To Get Ahead Running Start Offers College Classes To High School Students
For Scott Hamilton and thousands of Washington high school students, a typical day includes traditional classes, athletics, lunch - and going to college.
The Running Start program offers simultaneous, free college credits while students are completing their high school careers. Last year, more than 7,400 students took classes at their community college, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University or Central Washington University.
Besides the free tuition and access to a broader array of classes, students can shave months or even years from the time it eventually takes to get a college degree. That saves money for both the student and the state.
The 4-year-old program, generally drawing strong reviews from lawmakers, educators, students and parents, will be scrutinized by the state Board for Community College Education when it meets today at Clover Park Technical College in Tacoma.
The board’s executive director, Earl Hale, calls Running Start a leading-edge example of education reform offering students more choices.
“People demand and deserve a broader range of choices,” he said. “The public expects us to be working together and not be a bunch of little fiefdoms.”
Tax support for the high school student follows him or her to the college - about $75 per credit for academic programs and $96 for vocational programs. The high school’s state aid is reduced by that amount.
Hamilton, an Olympia High School senior, leaves the high school campus at midday to take a calculus course at South Puget Sound Community College across town, and returns to complete his day and take part in athletics and other high school activities. Last year, he took computer programming, systems analysis and pre-calculus at South Puget Sound.
By the time he graduates in June, he’ll have the equivalent of two quarters of college under his belt - credits he can transfer to his chosen college, Eastern Washington at Cheney or Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore.
“The college credits were gravy,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “I have goals (to be a computer programmer) and I wanted to get ahead in math and computer classes.”
He said he likes having a bigger selection of classes, learning in a serious adult setting, and getting compressed instruction - a year’s worth of high school equivalency in a 10-week college quarter.
Hamilton, 17, said he’s encountered no age discrimination.
xxxx QUESTIONS ABOUT ‘RUNNING START’ PROGRAM Here is a quick look at the “Running Start” program in which high school students can attend college for free, and get credit toward high school graduation: Who is eligible? The 4-year-old program is open to all high school juniors and seniors - including those in homeschooling or private schools, providing they work with a public school district. Grade point? Counselors recommend a strong grade-point average for participants, but there is no specific requirement. Entrance tests? The student must take the entrance test required at the community college or university. What’s available? Once admitted, the student may take any course offering. The average student takes eight or nine credits per quarter. About 85 percent take academic classes; the rest take vocational training. Flexibility? Students may take college classes before school, during the school day, or in the evening to fit schedules. About 45 percent of the participants also have part-time jobs. Credits? For every five-hour class taken at a college on the quarter system, the student gets a full one-year high school credit for that subject. If the college is on the semester system, such as Washington State in Pullman, a three-hour class earns a high school graduation credit. Tax dollars? Tax support for the high school student follows him or her to the college - about $75 per credit for academic programs and $96 for vocational programs. The high school’s state aid is reduced by that amount. Officials say taxpayers save $17 million a year by having the dual-credit program. How do they do? Studies show that students who enter college with Running Start credits under their belt get slightly better grades and take heavier loads than regular admissions. - Associated Press