Why Early College?
The following article borrowed from Earlyentrance .org explains well why
early entrance programs are becoming more common in the last few
years. I will add several additional websites you may wish to read if you are
looking at the IUPUI Span Program and wondering, "Why can't I just leave
them in high school?" The same experiences that many parents had in
high school is not what happens in high school today. The remembrance
of happy days of football games, camaraderie, proms, dances, and
hanging out with friends is now marred forever by bullying, drugs, peer
pressure, sexual harassment, violence and numerous other items. These
other issues make getting an education in high school today more of a
miracle than an assumption. For the gifted, academically bright, or
academically driven student the feelings of being different, teased, or just
the boredom of waiting until everyone in the class has learned the material
becomes burdensome and further drives them not to more education but
to less. Statistically it further drives many bright and gifted students to less
education and places them at risk for not graduating at all.
In addition, 21 states now offer "dual enrollment" options to high school
students. According to the Education Commission of the States in Denver,
Colorado. Some states have many colleges offering "dual enrollment" or
"early college" opportunities. While some states only have one or two, the
programs are becoming more and more available and seen as less
innovative than in 1984 when IUPUI opened the SPAN Program.
http://www.earlyentrance.org/index.shtml
Early Entrance College Programs in the USA
During the past 25 years, an entirely new class of educational programs
has sprung up in the United States. Because of innovative ideas, colleges
have found new ways to cater to the very brightest high school age youth.
In all likelihood, most people have heard of geniuses and whiz kids who
start college at an exceptionally young age, but now a number of programs
exist that turn this possibility into a reality for more of today's talented
youth.
These early entrance programs take entire groups of students who have
yet to complete high school and place them in a supportive peer
environment within a collegiate setting. Various programs allow these
students to then spend their time working toward either a full college
degree or a high school diploma plus transferable college credit. In almost
every case they are taking college level courses alongside regular college
students and are expected to perform to that high standard. In addition
to academics, these programs are designed to provide enrichment and
support mechanisms for dealing with the unusual transition and other
issues unique to young bright students.
While certainly not meant for everyone, these programs provide the most
gifted students with exceptional opportunities. At the student's disposal
are the full resources and variety of a university setting. This means
top-notch faculty, unusual and more challenging course work, excellent
libraries, access to research projects, and numerous other opportunities.
Such programs have been so successful that graduates are often accepted
by the best institutions in the country, either for grad school or when
completing their undergraduate degree. Those, who truly aren't being
challenged or have exhausted the options at their current school, can
benefit greatly from this kind of opportunity.
The academic opportunities are considerable, but the advantages of an
intelligent peer environment should not be underestimated. While being
the very best student at one's home school can earn bragging rights and
the appreciation of teachers, it can often be detrimental to peer relations.
The tendency to be labeled as a "geek" or "nerd" and the resulting childish
torments can be quite detrimental in a young person's life. Admittedly
much of this diminishes as peer groups mature and students develop
coping strategies to "fit in", but frequently a change of setting can be the
most immediate solution. Since students are not isolated from other
college students, the abilities to "fit in" will still be developed but in
surroundings that are more understanding and less destructive to
self-esteem. Entering one of these programs, students often encounter an
environment they have never had before. They are surrounded by other
equally bright people and have the opportunity to feel a sense of group
unity and acceptance. In fact, many students reflect that the close-knit
environment is the most significant part of the experience for them, and
they carry these friendships with them long into the future.
The following article borrowed from Earlyentrance .org explains well why
early entrance programs are becoming more common in the last few
years. I will add several additional websites you may wish to read if you are
looking at the IUPUI Span Program and wondering, "Why can't I just leave
them in high school?" The same experiences that many parents had in
high school is not what happens in high school today. The remembrance
of happy days of football games, camaraderie, proms, dances, and
hanging out with friends is now marred forever by bullying, drugs, peer
pressure, sexual harassment, violence and numerous other items. These
other issues make getting an education in high school today more of a
miracle than an assumption. For the gifted, academically bright, or
academically driven student the feelings of being different, teased, or just
the boredom of waiting until everyone in the class has learned the material
becomes burdensome and further drives them not to more education but
to less. Statistically it further drives many bright and gifted students to less
education and places them at risk for not graduating at all.
In addition, 21 states now offer "dual enrollment" options to high school
students. According to the Education Commission of the States in Denver,
Colorado. Some states have many colleges offering "dual enrollment" or
"early college" opportunities. While some states only have one or two, the
programs are becoming more and more available and seen as less
innovative than in 1984 when IUPUI opened the SPAN Program.
http://www.earlyentrance.org/index.shtml
Early Entrance College Programs in the USA
During the past 25 years, an entirely new class of educational programs
has sprung up in the United States. Because of innovative ideas, colleges
have found new ways to cater to the very brightest high school age youth.
In all likelihood, most people have heard of geniuses and whiz kids who
start college at an exceptionally young age, but now a number of programs
exist that turn this possibility into a reality for more of today's talented
youth.
These early entrance programs take entire groups of students who have
yet to complete high school and place them in a supportive peer
environment within a collegiate setting. Various programs allow these
students to then spend their time working toward either a full college
degree or a high school diploma plus transferable college credit. In almost
every case they are taking college level courses alongside regular college
students and are expected to perform to that high standard. In addition
to academics, these programs are designed to provide enrichment and
support mechanisms for dealing with the unusual transition and other
issues unique to young bright students.
While certainly not meant for everyone, these programs provide the most
gifted students with exceptional opportunities. At the student's disposal
are the full resources and variety of a university setting. This means
top-notch faculty, unusual and more challenging course work, excellent
libraries, access to research projects, and numerous other opportunities.
Such programs have been so successful that graduates are often accepted
by the best institutions in the country, either for grad school or when
completing their undergraduate degree. Those, who truly aren't being
challenged or have exhausted the options at their current school, can
benefit greatly from this kind of opportunity.
The academic opportunities are considerable, but the advantages of an
intelligent peer environment should not be underestimated. While being
the very best student at one's home school can earn bragging rights and
the appreciation of teachers, it can often be detrimental to peer relations.
The tendency to be labeled as a "geek" or "nerd" and the resulting childish
torments can be quite detrimental in a young person's life. Admittedly
much of this diminishes as peer groups mature and students develop
coping strategies to "fit in", but frequently a change of setting can be the
most immediate solution. Since students are not isolated from other
college students, the abilities to "fit in" will still be developed but in
surroundings that are more understanding and less destructive to
self-esteem. Entering one of these programs, students often encounter an
environment they have never had before. They are surrounded by other
equally bright people and have the opportunity to feel a sense of group
unity and acceptance. In fact, many students reflect that the close-knit
environment is the most significant part of the experience for them, and
they carry these friendships with them long into the future.
Why Early College?
| More Research Links for Early Entrance and Early College Programs http://chronicle.com Section: Students Volume 51, Issue 27, Page A 36 http://www.hoagiesgifted.o rg/eric http://www.hoagiesgifted.o rg www.ravendays.org http://www.ravendays.org/ colleges/concurus.html http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/p lan_college.htm http://www.cyfernet.org |
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| An early college high school for the virtually unlimited student. |