Post secondary has advantages, and challenges
By Bob Robinson

GREENVILLE – Post secondary education through Edison Community College has many benefits. It also has challenges.

Velina Bogart, PSEOP coordinator (Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program), spoke to 30 students and parents about the program on the Edison Darke County campus Jan. 22. It was an informational meeting designed to explain the program to students in grades nine through 12 and their families.

The advantages Bogart listed revolved mostly about the different experience college coursework will bring. There will be courses that may not be offered in high school, students will experience college-level work, courses will be academically challenging and, by requirement, a student’s high school counselor will be involved in the student’s career planning.

Additional advantages came up during the question and answer period. It is possible for a student to get a 2-year college degree at the same time he or she graduates from high school; and it can be done at no cost to the student.

The challenges? Foremost, the student has increased responsibility for learning.

“In high school teachers may remind you of tests coming up, or assigned materials to read or to get your work turned in on time. In college the instructors tell you what needs to be done, then expect it to be done at the required time,” Bogart said.

Other challenges include decreased time for part-time employment and extra-curricular activities, and possible negative impact on high school GPA and class standing. The latter depends on the school district’s approach to the program. It can also impact scholarships.

PSEOP allows you to earn many of your freshman and sophomore credits while in high school; consequently you may enter college at a second semester freshman or sophomore level, she added. Since many scholarship programs are designed for those years they could be impacted.

Some post-secondary students get basic credits out of the way at Edison to decrease the total cost of their 4-year college experience.

Bogart said post-secondary students are subject to the same rules as all other students, adding classes are designed for adults. A higher level of maturity is required due to some of the topics presented in some classes.

“It also requires a lot of self-discipline – especially for an online course – students are not monitored as closely as they would be in high school.”

Edison enrolls approximately 600 post-secondary students a year. Five hundred to 520 typically go to the Piqua campus. That will include Darke County students if the courses they want are only offered in Piqua.

Bogart said about 15 to 18 students a year earn a college certificate the same time they graduate from high school. Last year it was 18.

Students in grades 9-12 can participate if they meet eligibility requirements.

Freshmen and sophomores must have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher and are required to take the ACT. Their ACT English score must be 18 to take any non-math related course; their math must be 22 to take a college-level math course. Juniors and seniors must qualify in the same manner, or they may qualify by taking the COMPASS Assessment at Edison.

A student must notify his or her high school by March 30 if considering participation in the program. Additional information can be obtained through the student’s high school counselor or by calling Janice Michael at the Edison Darke County campus, 548-5546.

Published courtesy of the Early Bird