Many students at EHS have enrolled in dual-credit classes, but do they fully understand what that means? Is an Advanced Placement class the same as a dual-credit class? Not quite. It turns out that most students at EHS don’t know the difference.
“An AP class is basically a class that prepares you for the final you will take in order to get the college credit,” junior Caleb Brandmeyer said, “and in dual-credit you are given the credit as long as you pass the class.”
Failing the class here at school causes a few things to happen; the student failing must drop out and receive a failing GPA score on their college transcript from Lewis and Clark and they must drop into a study hall. Later when the student is applying for colleges they must show those colleges the failing GPA that they had received.
“The student really just has to make a good choice,” Assistant Principal Julie Materelli said.
EHS is in a partnership with Lewis and Clark, meaning that Lewis and Clark is the college that you enroll in. In order to enroll for the dual-credit, a student must take a placement test in reading comprehension. For students to be eligible, then they must score a 75% or higher. Do not fret when taking the placement test you get a four point cushion for you to enroll.
Everyone knows college is expensive; year after year college tuition is getting higher. Some classes complete four hours of a college class while others complete two or three. By enrolling in dual-credit classes you can save thousands of dollars depending on which classes you take.
“For example an SIUE three hour class amounts up to $996,” Mrs. Materelli said, “and at Lewis and Clark a three hour class is worth $303.”
The only dilemma is which college will take the dual-credit transcript from Lewis and Clark. “I’m taking AP and dual-credit classes and I doubt that the college I am looking at will really take the AP credits.” Senior Sami Greytak said.
Whether a student is taking an AP or a dual-credit class it is important to know the difference between the too. Making good decisions and good grades are very crucial for an up-coming college career.
