By Staff
The statistics tell a troubling story. Although more than 90 percent of high school seniors in the United States plan to attend college, only about 70 percent actually do go to college within two years of graduating.
In Michigan, this number is only about 59 percent.
What's worse, of the 59 percent of Michigan high school seniors who do attend college, more than one third need remedial courses when they get there.
Finally, across the nation, only 52 percent of students who do go attend college will ever graduate.
It's clear from this data that many students need help transitioning from high school to college.
On Oct. 4, Southwestern Michigan College introduced a comprehensive, student-success program for high school students entering college.
This solution was presented to Cass County school representatives by SMC staff members during a morning seminar.
&#8221Among high school students, there is a great deal of difference in their readiness for college,“; explained Dr. Diane Chaddock, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Southwestern Michigan College. &#8221SMC's program is designed to address the needs of each group of students we have identified.“;
According to Chaddock, the three groups identified are:
Those that are ready for college while still in high school.
Those that need help focusing career goals.
Those that need significant remediation before entering college.
In order to meet the needs of these three identified groups of high school seniors, SMC developed three approaches to smoothing the transition.
Dual Credit Programs for those already prepared for college level courses.
Academy Transition Programs for those needing to focus their career goals.
Bridges Partnership Programs for those needing remediation before beginning college work.
SMC's Dual Credit Program provides the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit while still in their high school. Unlike dual credit at many other colleges, dual credit at SMC is based on course outcomes and demonstration by the student through specific testing that they have achieved those outcomes.
&#8221We are focusing on what the student learns and retains at the end of the class,“; Chaddock said. &#8221Testing at the end of the course is the only way we know to assure that students have mastered the course objectives and are prepared for the next level. The whole point of dual credit is to get a jump start on college courses. We are committed to ensuring that this program meets its objective by measuring the outcomes of the students.“;
For example, Edwardsburg high school students who take a full year of accounting can get dual credit for Principles of Accounting in college if they pass the final exam that SMC gives for this class on the college campus.
&#8221High school is not the same as it was 15 years ago,“; according to Larry Crandall, Superintendent of Dowagiac Schools. It's not a one-size-fits-all anymore. We as teachers and administrators need to meet the various needs of the students. We need to be diverse.“;
High school students who may be on track to attend college but aren't sure what they want to do can take advantage of SMC's High School Academies. These are special occupational training programs offered at the College through partnerships with local school districts and the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District. High school juniors and seniors must meet academic requirements to participate in this program.
&#8221We talk to lots of students who say, ‘I want to go into business,' but they really don't know what that means,“; explained Dr. Chaddock. &#8221The revised academy model not only includes college level classes, but also includes a transition course that allows students to participate in career explorations and also helps them in their adjustment to the college.“;
Academies have been offered through SMC for many years but have recently been streamlined from nine to four academies. The new academies currently offered through SMC are:
Health
Education
Business
Technology
And then there is the actual issue of making sure that students are prepared well before beginning college.
Southwestern Michigan College now offers what is called The Bridge Partnership program, which allows area schools to assess their students' college readiness as early as the second semester of their sophomore year. This assessment uses SMC's nationally standardized placement instrument. The results tell the high school what the student needs to do to prepare for college and requires the college and high school to collaborate to support students' future academic plans.
&#8221Somewhere during the transition process from high school to college, many students get lost,“; said Chaddock. &#8221Many just aren't ready emotionally and financially. We need to change that.“;
Photo cutline: Larry Crandall, Superintendent of Dowagiac Schools (right) and Randy Luthringer, a Dowagiac Schools Guidance Counselor discuss the benefits of Southwestern Michigan College's Student-Success Program presented to them at the October 4th seminar on the Dowagiac campus.