U-46 considers offering dual-credit classes with ECC

College-level classes soon could be more accessible for driven Elgin Area School District U-46 students.

Executive Director of Secondary Education Tom Donausky introduced a dual-credit program at the school board's Monday meeting.

The aim of the program, Donausky said, is to create a stronger link between high school and college.

Full-time high school seniors who have at least a 3.25 grade point average and who intend to enroll in college would be eligible to take several classes for free college credit.

These courses will work simultaneously toward high school graduation and college degree requirements.

The dual-credit Spanish, French, German, calculus, microeconomics, macroeconomics, general chemistry and anatomy classes are made possible through a $100,000 state grant, said Rick Mao, ECC's dean of communications and behavioral sciences.

Students would be responsible for purchasing books and class materials.

Credit could be applied to an Elgin Community College degree or be transferred to another two- or four-year college, Mao said.

At U-46 high schools, dual-credit classes will receive honors weight, or an extra point.

The amount of college credit will typically be three hours, but will vary by course, Mao said.

Classes will be offered during weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings during the fall, spring and summer terms.

Mao said Elgin Community College began offering the dual-credit program in 1985. In 1999, the college signed an intergovernmental agreement with Community Unit School District 300.

That agreement was revised in 2004, Mao said.

"One of the major revisions was to move the site of the classes from the high schools to our campus," he said.

Since the program was established with District 300, "we've wanted other school districts to take advantage of this," Mao said. "U-46 was a top priority to begin this conversation with -- it's all part of the effort to make high school students ready for college."

The idea of high school students earning college credit isn't completely novel to U-46.

The district now allows students interested in the career and technical education to earn college credit.

Donausky said the new academic program will give U-46 students "a leg up."

The school board will vote on the program at its July 21 meeting.

If approved, Mao said, the program would be offered during the 2009-10 school year.

"The next year would be a preparatory year," he said. "We need to look at enrollment potential and make our offerings match that, and hire faculty to teach these courses."