The
Texas Education Agency has partnered up with El Paso Community College
in creating new high schools at Canutillo and Ysleta School Districts.
This will provide new opportunities for high school students to earn
an Associate of Arts degree while in high school through the Dual
Credit Program (DCP).
“I think that Dual Credit is an excellent program, as a matter
of fact, students who are in the Who’s Who Among High School
Students are encouraged to do Dual Credit,” said Arvis Jones,
Director of campus life and student leadership.
Enrollment statistics for the DCP for fall 2006 were 1,751. The number
of students rose steadily to 1,802 in spring 2006. The DCP is currently
being offered in various districts in the county, and students are
still being enrolled for the current semester. Currently participating
in the program are Anthony, El Paso, Socorro, Tornillo, Fabens, San
Elizario, Clint, Fort Hancock and Dell City school districts.
Representatives of the program recruit graduating seniors by visiting
the various campuses. Meetings are held throughout the year with principals,
counselors and teachers. Students are required to take the Accuplacer
entry exam, and any hoping to enroll in a dual credit class must pass
the course specific portion of the Accuplacer exam in order to be
considered for the class. Future advancements of the program include
opening more communication with the surrounding districts. EPCC has
three districts that are currently serving as members of the Dual
credit standing committee.
A primary goal of the program is to make improvements that will encourage
more student participation. Coordinator Margo Portillio said that
it is a fantastic opportunity for students. She said she wishes that
the program had been available when she was in high school.
Portillo also said that, as more students become aware of the opportunity,
they will ask for more dual credit classes. As a result, the college
will need on-line dual-credit teachers to teach classes.
The criteria used to determine a student’s eligibility is this:
the student must be a junior or senior and must pass the course specific
areas of the Accuplacer for the class they hope to register in. The
program offers both occupational and academic dual-credit.
Recruiters go to high schools and recruit sophomores who are later
given an early opportunity to test and enroll in summer dual-credit
courses as long as they meet the requirements and become classified
as juniors.
An early admissions form is required to participate in the program.
Director of recruitment and school relations, Nita Nava said, “The
earlier you graduate, the earlier you go into the workforce.”
