I
read the letter to the editor from Esmeralda Subia, regarding her
view on students who take Dual Credit courses. As with issues
that are not fully understood, there is a misconception of how these
courses came about.
First of all, it is a Texas state approved program available only
to those students in high school.
The other requirement is that the faculty who teach approved courses
within certain school districts, have to be credentialed at the same
level as college faculty, who teach the courses at the collegiate
level.
This is a relatively new innovation (high school and associate degree
completion) although; EPCC has had the Dual Credit program in place
for some time (since about 1992).
This innovation is a result of college districts working hand in hand
with public school districts to take advantage of the credentialing
provision for college level faculty. Students in high school
do not pay tuition to college districts.
The courses taught are dual. The school district collects monies based
on tax levied by the school district.
The students are not attending free. The students who take advantage
of this program just happened to be in the right place at the right
time. No other students are being treated disparately.
No exception is being made for students who complete collegiate level
courses, which apply to their high school and college requirements.
The program is unique and a model which more public school districts
in Texas will eventually emmulate.
