A Parent's Perspective
1. Introduction
Smart kids! They are always a challenge, but once they hit high school the complexity intensifies. Obtaining a balance between emotional growth, intellectual challenge, and self-esteem becomes a full-time balancing act for a parent. The traditional choices of public school, private school,
boarding school, and home school may not fit your child. As an alternative we present IUPUI’'s SPAN Program, from a parent’s perspective.
2. What is SPAN?
SPAN (or Special Programs for Academic Nurturing) was established at IUPUI in 1984 to let academically gifted kids take college classes. While this program is aimed at high school students, younger students have qualified and excelled in this program, as well.
SPAN offers many opportunities that can be configured many ways. It permits motivated high school students to get started on their college education or just take courses that aren’t available at their local high school. Perhaps your high school student would like to take a class during IUPUI’s summer school. Maybe your student would like to attend half a day at their high school and a half-day at IUPUI. Or maybe your gifted high schooler has had enough of high school or home school, and is ready for the challenge of full-time college classes. Qualified students can design a program at IUPUI to fit their needs.
3. Is SPAN Right for Your Son or Daughter?
How can you tell if you have a student who might thrive in SPAN? We’ve assembled some traits that might indicate that your child’s present educational situation is inadequate:
-Does your child achieve a high grade point average with little work?
-Does your student complain that their classes are just boring, busy work or that their teacher is poorly prepared? Are they tired of being “spoon fed” a high school education?
-Does your child report that they are relearning the same information that was covered in a previous class?
-Does your student seem to lack academic ambition? Do they have fluctuating grades?
-Is your student unwilling to complete routine assignments? For example, can they get nearly straight A’s on test, quizzes and in classroom work, but then get zeros for refusing to turn in “pointless” homework?
-Do your child’s national test scores indicate that they are exceptional, but the school system treats them as just regular run-of-the-mill students?
-Does your child excel in one subject area, but perform comparatively poorly in another academic area?
-Is your home schooled child looking for additional challenge? Has he or she mastered even the best materials available?
-Has your student participated in a gifted program and still finds the material boring and
unchallenging?
OK. What about what we’ll call “personality types?” Does your child exhibit any of these behaviors?
-Is your child a perfectionist?
-Does your child play down his or her intelligence to fit in socially with friends? (More often girls seem to do this.)
-Do they find the juvenile behavior of their fellow high schoolers emotionally exhausting?
-Does your child continually explore new subjects, hobbies, sports or other activities and then lose interest and move on, just as they begin to master those new skills?
-Does your child seem more emotionally mature than classmates?
-Is your child self-motivated? Does he/she find the pace of learning too slow and ask for more of a challenge?
-Is your child a “risk taker”? Bright kids, even those who don’t get identified as such by their school, will find a way to entertain themselves. The danger is that in their quest, they may find inappropriate avenues to explore. This could lead to risky lifestyles, extreme sports, or dangerous hobbies. Finding an educational challenge instead may divert them from trouble.
If you’ve answered “yes” to some of the above questions, then it’s possible that you have a gifted child who is a perfect SPAN candidate. “Why didn’t you realize it sooner?” you may ask. Well, don’t blame yourself – often-bright kids keep it hidden just under the surface.
4. Academic (or intellectual) maturity versus emotional maturity!
They are still teenagers, capable of behaving like two- year-olds on a bad day. They still can giggle all night long at a sleep-over. They can doodle, shoot spit-wads, pass notes in class and participate in all manner of immature (and fun-loving) behaviors. And they should – it’s all part of growing up.
But the great thing about the SPAN program is that they can receive a challenging education, while still living at home where they can continue social activities at church, scouts, 4-H, etc. They can plan movie nights with their inner circle of friends. In other words, they can still “just be kids.”
Finding a balance between education, work, extra-curricular activities, and fun is critical to success in SPAN.
Is there a danger of a teenager, yes even a really smart one, being overly influenced by regular college-age students? We have given this a great deal of thought. College campuses have always had a reputation for wild times, e.g. crowded telephone booths, goldfish swallowing, streaking and, horror of horrors, anything in the movie Animal House! But remember, IUPUI is largely a commuter campus, with lots of students still living at home, still somewhat sheltered. Also, the legal drinking age is still 21in Indiana, and IUPUI has no campus fraternity houses that might try to evade such legal limits.
What about dating? Yes, that gave us some concern, as well. What we have done is to establish the following rule for our teens: “They may look but cannot touch.” What do we mean? Just this, no dating with anyone more than two years older or younger. Period. Enough said. And in fact this has worked out very well. They know they can talk to and be friends with any student, but that is it. Consequently, if the girls get “hit on” at lunchtime or in the library, no problem. The answer is no. No need to even think about it and no need to explain to anyone. Case closed.
And for those who do meet the requirements, both by age and academically (the 3.0 GPA— grade point average), we established the five rules of dating. They may date as long as they meet these requirements:
1. No alcohol.
2. No drugs, no smoking.
3. No fast cars. What do we mean? If a person gets a ticket while driving my daughter, and it’s for more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, then they won’t be going out together anymore. They will be dating in my living room. It goes for a seatbelt infraction. And there will be o second chances.
4. No sex. High-risk behavior is common among gifted teens that aren’t academically
challenged. But it can be career ending, so there will be no exceptions. No sex.
5. If your GPA falls below a 3.0 accumulative, from then until the end of the semester (when it better be much higher) there will be no further dating. This doesn’t include social events, such as a group movie. But if it is really love, it can wait until the end of the semester. Most families seem to make dating rules on a daily basis. It was our experience that what was desired was a set of permanent rules so our teens knew exactly where they stood. These Five Rules of Dating made it simple and very understandable. Post ‘em by the back door – they’ll get it.
Another concern we had was for personal safety. If your student happens to have a buddy who is accepted into SPAN also, it can be great for them to take as many freshman classes together as possible. After all, there is safety in numbers. Or Dr. Russell could help get your student acquainted with other SPAN students. Additionally, we have noticed that EVERYONE seems to have a cell phone on campus. And we must admit that cell phones are great. In fact, we consider a cell phone essential; classes’ cancel, tests finish early, and emergencies arise. The added security is well worth the additional expense.
Another word of caution; High school is apt to be a place where information is handed to your child and it is expected that they will regurgitate it to the teacher at test time. Homework tends to be given in small daily assignments, which are graded frequently. It is hard to get behind. College is not like that.
College requires greater organizational skills. Grades tend to be based on larger projects that demonstrate an understanding of the material and an ability to implement it. Homework is rarely collected. If a student has difficulty understanding the material, they are expected to ask questions of the teacher during office hours or find someone in class with whom to study.
Students must take responsibility for their education. The ability to stay on top of the work daily and break larger projects into smaller sections is important. They must be self-motivated and able to succeed without a teacher constantly supervising their performance.
And one last word of warning; we have noticed that adult subject matter may be presented, especially in English, literature, and social studies courses. For example, Freud and Oedipus are not uncommon topics for discussion in college classrooms. Atheism, communism, and agnosticism – all kinds of topics can come up for classroom debate. But we figure that these topics could come up in any college classroom. With SPAN, we at least have the advantage of discussing the topic with our child to advance our viewpoint and let both sides of issues be heard.
We suggest you discuss with your son or daughter whether he or she is ready mentally and emotionally for all these challenges before enrolling in SPAN.
5. But can’'t I just leave her or him in high school and let them take AP classes?
Well, you could. But not all AP classes are alike. A high school teacher who may or may not be able to cover all the material in the required amount of time usually teaches them. College credit is awarded to those who earn at least a 3 or 4 out of 5 points on a type of “final exam.” The classes and even the test itself have a fee attached. It is possible to earn an A in the course work and still not earn the necessary points for college credit on the “final.”
And once they get to college, they will be tested again to see how advanced their knowledge is. College faculty complain that because AP classes use high school teachers, the classes may not be equivalent to the material they would have studied in a college course. For example, they may not have covered the last couple chapters of the text. The consequences of this may result in the student having a poor foundation and being unprepared for the next higher course.
Another complication is that with the current shortage of funding as the state level, AP courses are being reduced or eliminated from many high schools. This is at a time when requirements for an Academic Honors diploma for the class entering high school in 2006-07 are being elevated. To meet this goal, some schools are encouraging taking college classes, for example at Ivy Tech State College. But be careful. Not all colleges are alike. Watch out for “dumbed down” college experiences that may not transfer to all colleges and universities. Other leaders in academia, however, hold IUPUI classes, in much higher esteem.
6. SPAN Requirements
Running Start Program: – to apply as a 9th or 10 grader.
--Have a SAT score of at least 1000, or an ACT score of at least 21, or a PSAT of 95, or a PLAN
score of at least 20.
--And rank in the top 10 percent of your high school class.
Running Start Program: – to apply as an 11th or 12th grader
--Be pursuing a Core 40 curriculum.
--B or higher grade point average (GPA) past two semesters.
--Have a SAT of at least 950, or an ACT score of at least 20, or a PSAT of 90, or a PLAN score of at least 19.
-- And have a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor.
Upper-class Program: to apply as an 11th grader:
--Rank in the top 20 percent of your high school class.
--Have a SAT of at least 1100, or an ACT score of at least 27.
--Have a letter of recommendation from a high school principal or counselor.
--Successfully complete the IUPUI placement exams in math, reading and English.
Upper-class Program: to apply as an 12th grader:
--Rank in the top 10 percent of your high school class.
Note: Some special circumstances are given to those who are home-schooled, speaking with Dr. Russell is usually well advised before making a determination about your students eligibility.
7. How to apply to SPAN
First, have your student take the ACT, PSAT, or SAT exam. The Midwest Talent Search, at www.ctd.northwestern.edu, often offers these tests as early as 7th and 8th grades.
Second, ask the school system for a complete copy of your student’s transcript. In almost all cases where the child has undergone standardized testing, you will find that in the school’s file is a small number labeled CSI: this stands for the Cognitive Skills Index. It is a general IQ score. A gifted child will consistently have scores over 130.
Third, even if your child isn’t gifted but they are above average, work very hard, are ready for more of a challenge and have qualifying ACT, PSAT or SAT scores, he/she is invited to apply.
Next, you need to thoroughly assess your child’s strengths and needs, discuss with them their desire for a greater challenge such as SPAN, and then visit the IUPUI campus. Sometimes even a day of “shadowing,” following a student through a day of classes, can be arranged. If you are still interested, we recommend you contact Dr. Johnny Russell, the SPAN Coordinator, at 317-274-0382 or email him at jrrussel_iupui.edu to gather the necessary materials and apply to SPAN.
8. Welcome to SPAN
Welcome to IUPUI’s SPAN Program. What an exciting opportunity our kids have. But it is also a new and novel path for us to travel as parents. Having now struggled to learn the finer points of how to help our students to simultaneously take classes to meet both high school and college requirements, we thought that as parents, we could try to pass some of our experiences on to make your transition as easy as possible.
Keep in mind that as a “Dual Enrollment” student (enrolled in high school and college), every college class your child takes can satisfy both high school requirements AND college degree programs (BA or BS programs).
After getting accepted into the SPAN Program, either into the Running Start Program for 9th and 10th graders or into the Upper-class Program for 11th and 12th graders, your student will receive materials requesting that they call the Enrollment Center at 274-4240 to set up their IUPUI Placement Exams. These tests will help the college determine your student’s strengths and weaknesses so that they can take the most appropriate courses. After you get your results, Dr. Johnny Russell, the SPAN Coordinator, is a wonderful resource that can answer questions to help you decide what courses your student could or should register for. We find him to be an essential ally and wonderful resource.
One other note: SPAN gives high school students the opportunity to fit into the college campus undetected. Only if a teacher carefully examines their class roster, would they ever suspect that they have a dual enrolled high school student in their class. We have found that it is usually better for students to keep this information to themselves, until they feel the need to or choose to inform others. This avoids excessive notoriety and differentiation. Our SPAN kids take great pride that they fit in with college students. And by not bringing this information forward initially, they still have the option of informing people later in the semester, after they have “proven” themselves.
10. Meeting Indiana'’s High School Diploma Requirements:
core40.pdf
11. Planning Your Student’s Schedule at IUPUI
The basic rule of thumb you’ll need to realize is that a one-semester college course can usually be counted as equivalent to two semesters of public high school.
So, how can you figure out what courses your son or daughter should take to meet the Core 40 requirements?
A complete discussion of this topic is available to Todd Academy students, parents and clients of Todd Academy's Transcription and consultation services.
12. Tailor the IUPUI Schedule to YOUR child
It is important to remember that all “early enrollment” students are unique in their abilities and in the way they learn best; some are great at math and weaker in English, some are vice versa, some are visual learners and others are auditory learners who rely on hearing the lecture. .... (A
complete discussion of this topic is available to Todd Academy students, parents and
clients of Todd Academy's Transcription and consultation services.)
This also gives them time to do any last minute preparations for the next class. It lets them visit the
math center or writing center if they need extra help. And finally, it has the advantage of leaving the
student with minimal homework for that night so that they might have plenty of time to just “be a kid”
and do fun, extracurricular activities with their friends or family.
13. Getting Your Schedule Registered
After selecting the courses ...(A complete discussion of this topic is available to Todd Academy students, parents and clients of Todd Academy's Transcription and consultation services.)
14. What Will be Required in SPAN
-Attendance
The failure rate tends to be highest for incoming freshman. (A complete discussion of this topic is available to Todd Academy students, parents and clients of Todd Academy's
Transcription and consultation services.)
-Work ethic
SPAN kids must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or above to remain in the program. This requires
a good work ethic and should be a key consideration in evaluating your student for this program.
-Keep up with readings and assignments
College requires students to be highly self-motivated. A complete discussion of this topic is
available to Todd Academy students, parents and clients of Todd Academy's
-Computer literacy
Computer literacy is required for success at IUPUI. This campus is unique in the high degree of
reliance upon electronic communication. A complete discussion of this topic is available to
Todd Academy students, parents and clients of Todd Academy's Transcription and
consultation services.)
15. Getting Help at …the Math Center and the Writing Center
IUPUI is excellent for providing hands on help to all their students. Many 100 level classes encourage their students visit the Math and Writing centers to obtain help on projects, papers, tutoring and areas a student may feel a little extra support would be beneficial.
Math Assistance Center IUPUI Director:
Taylor Hall / University College Building,
UC 102 815 West
Michigan Street Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: (317) 274-7898
Email: info_math.iupui.edu
Campus Map MAC Hours Mon-Thurs, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Fri & Sat, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Sun, closed
http://math.iupui.edu/MAC/
University Writing Center- SLA Cavanaugh Hall Room 427
Phone: (317) 274-2049 University Writing Center- UCOL 2104 (317) 278-8642
16. Don’t Miss the Payment Deadline
It is easy in your first semester or two, to become overwhelmed and miss a Bursar Payment deadline. This will result in your registered classes being dropped immediately.
If this happens, you will need to re-register as soon as possible. This will necessitate great flexibility and optimism, since most classes will already be full. We recommend that you make every effort to avoid this situation. To check these dates, go online to: http://www.bursar.iupui.edu
--Payments due at Bursar or your classes will be dropped
17. Buying Books for IUPUI Courses
Although your tendency will be to buy your books early, we have found it better to exercise patience instead. (A complete discussion of this topic is available to Todd Academy students, parents and clients of Todd Academy's Transcription and consultation services.).
18. JagTag… Student I.D.
The official student identification card is the JagTag. It will be required for tests, student discounts,
and the ability to purchase an assortment of things on campus, including software. The JagTag also
has the option of adding debit card services to it for use in the bookstore, copiers, vending machines, and many other campus locations. We recommend your student obtain his JagTag as soon as he/she is registered for classes. Note: If they do not have a driver’s license or permit they can use their yearbook with their photo from last year as identification. Hours and locations can be obtained at http://www.jagtag.iupui.edu/ .
Extra perks as SPAN Students
-Microsoft has generously arranged a program with IUPUI to provide software at very low prices. As SPAN students, some of this is provided free of charge.
19. College Degree Requirements or “Killing
Two Birds With One Stone.”
While our main objective is to help our student complete the Core 40 high school requirements, as
parents you may also want to look down the road at the requirements for a college degree. With each
college class they take, they move closer to advancing their college standing accordingly:
0-25 credit hours = college freshman
26-55 credit hours = college sophomore
56-85 credit hours = college junior
86 + credit hours = college senior
If your child has already decided on their future college major great-(A complete discussion of this topic is available to Todd Academy students, parents and clients of Todd Academy's Transcription and consultation services.)
20. High School Graduation Time
If your child is a full-time SPAN student, they can complete the equivalent of a year of high school in
one semester of college. This makes it very important that you understand what needs to be done to reach graduation time.
It is very important that you ... (A complete discussion of this topic is available to Todd
Academy students, parents and clients of Todd Academy's Transcription and
consultation services.) Timing is everything.
21. Miscellaneous Information We Have Learned.
Parking Permit – We recommend that if your student drives, they purchase a parking permit. It allows your student access to both the parking garages and parking lots. Permits may be purchased on line at: http://www.parking.iupui.edu/. Tickets must be paid or towing will occur.
Class Cancellations – No matter how well you plan, it is possible for a class in which your student has registered to be cancelled. This usually happens within a week of the start of class but can happen as late as the start of school. Periodically make sure the classes you have registered for are still listed. If a class is cancelled you must go in and officially drop it for it to be removed from your bursar account and credit to be refunded. This has nothing to do with you or the process it just happens. Reregister as soon as possible into another class.
Student Profile- Your student will have the option of filling out a student profile. We prefer to provide only minimal information. Usually, the option exists to allow access to the teacher only or the
entire class. While it will be the decision of your student, we have found that only basic information is best.
Setting up E-mail – The campus assigns an e-mail account for every student. We recommend they use it. It avoids trying to access and manage several accounts on a daily basis as teachers and other students will use that address to contact one another.
Work – Although we as parents would love them to work the college, as a guideline offers the following:
Course Loads and Work (IUPUI Campus Bulletin )
The following guidelines may assist a student in determining the appropriate number of credit hours to take in combination with work and other obligations. Financial aid regulations also affect course load.
Hours Employed Per Week Semester Load Summer Load Status
31-40+ 6 credits 3 credits half-time status
21-30 9 credits 4-5 credits three-quarter status
0-20 12-17 credits 6 credits full-time status
But we have our own recommendation. No more than 10 hours of work a week for at least their first year. It is critical that the student still have time for friends, fun, and the test that “took more time to
study for than they had planned.” Our recommendation is to give them time to find a balance and still be a teenager.
This document was prepared by:
(A complete document is available to Todd Academy, Inc. students and parents.)
Sharon Todd, Director, Todd Academy, Inc. and
Dr. Shelley Crimans
For use by and in conjuntion with the IUPUI SPAN Program
