For a group of Corning High School students, a rigorous look at the past is helping them prepare for the future. A college course available online through Shasta College and facilitated by Corning High School teacher, Jason Weston, on the high school campus, allows students to gain dual-credit for both college and high school.
“I wanted the experience to see what just one college class would be like,” says incoming senior, Abigail, who recently completed the History 17 A& B offerings as a junior. While her professor is in New York City, she receives support from her co-hort of students and teacher, Mr. Weston, during a special course period designed to facilitate the dual credit courses. This class period, and Mr. Weston’s time, is funded by Corning Promise.
Research conducted by the Community College Research Center found that dual credit enrollment participation is positively related to a range of college outcomes, including college enrollment and persistence, greater credit accumulation, and higher college GPA. This is in part because students are introduced earlier to the rigor of college work and therefor better prepared when they arrive at a college campus. Additionally, when they arrive with college credits already attained, it reduces the time and cost necessary on the campus and makes achievement of a college diploma feel that much more attainable.
Both Abigail and her friend Veronica already have their sites set on college and appreciate the head start their dual enrollment class has given them. “At first it was really hard,” says Veronica. “We had to read a lot of books and the class was very challenging. But once I got into a routine and got organized, it started to get a little easier.”
Corning Superintendent Jared Caylor concurs about the rigor of the course. “As a history major myself, I was not only impressed with how rigorous the class was, but how well the students did. I read a particular essay question from the test and admitted to my colleagues that had I been asked the question, I’m not sure I would have done as well as these junior students.”
The key to the successful dual credit program is the consistent presence and time committed to facilitation by Mr. Weston. Students gather one period a day to work on the course with his guidance. While he does not teach the course, he supports the students in being organized, remembering course time lines and understanding what is required of them academically.
“It was great being in class with other students who took their work seriously,” says Veronica of her classmates. “We shared tips and knowledge with each other. It was like being on a team. It was different from high school classes because everyone takes the class seriously.” Adds Abigail, “I would tell others that you have to push yourself but that it does get easier.”
“I had to really learn how to read the textbooks,” adds Veronica. “And learn new skills like highlighting names so that I could find and reference them during test taking time.”
In addition to the history courses, Corning High offers dual enrollment in College Career Readiness, Health, and Communication & Technology. A Political Science course is being considered to complement the history offerings. More than 200 students completed the College Career Readiness course, giving them insight into the expectations of college life while earning their first college credits.
The success of the history course is best summed up by Abigail, who says, “I felt like I got the opportunity to experience college, but with the safety of being in high school. It allowed me to get a glimpse of what college will be like and I’m excited for it.”