The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
A HEAD START ON HIGHER EDUCATION
District, MCC finalizing dual learning plan
MIDDLETOWN — While the coronavirus pandemic may be causing myriad difficulties in education, a developing partnership is aiming to help local high school students get a head start on their higher education.
As part of a partnership with the local community college, Middletown public high school students will be able to take courses that will allow them to work toward, or, in some cases, obtain, an associate degree
while earning their diploma.
“One of the things our community wants to see is dual enrollment
between high school and college” where students can earn credits from Middlesex Community College simultaneously with equivalent high school classes, according to Superintendent of Schools Michael Conner.
Post-pandemic, students will have the opportunity to take high school classes in-person, and online college courses at night or over the weekend, Conner said. Completion of various classes will “knock out some of the prerequisites” at the college, he said.
Conner and Middlesex Community College Chief Executive Officer Steven Minkler have
“Our goal is to raise college awareness to have all students succeed in early college experiences. Together, we believe that educational opportunity unlocks economic opportunity. This will strengthen ties between the college and school district, and provide students with amazing opportunities to get college credit, and advance their educational path.”
Middlesex Community College Chief Executive Officer Steven Minkler
been partnering in the effort since November 2017, the CEO said.
The district’s second strategic plan, “Middletown 2024: Elevating Innovation, Creativity, and Equity,” recently was released by the superintendent. It is a vision that will guide the public schools over the next three years, which includes this college course component.
The collaborative agreement will “spell out if a student takes this set of courses while they’re in high school, that could get them pretty close to getting an associate’s degree — if not getting one,” Minkler said.
Most associate degrees require obtaining 60 credits — or 20 courses. “That’s kind of a tall order for high school students,” Minkler said.
Those who earn their two-year degree can transfer to participating universities such as the University of Connecticut to obtain a bachelor’s degree, Minkler said. Most MxCC students go on to attend Central Connecticut State University, he said.
As long as students are in high school, college credits are free, Minkler said.
“You could take a whole blend of classes that would meet the degree requirement at Middlesex,” Minkler said. Officials are looking at specific pathways, such as the current business and manufacturing tracts, as well as a soon-to-be developed liberal arts honors major.
The plan is in its final stages, Minkler said. The school district and college are intent on making sure the program is equitable, he said. “In the past, it would be a real savvy student or a student getting good guidance from a guidance counselor or parent to push this along. We’re trying to make this available for all students,” he said.
“Some students, if they’re really aggressive, if they take one or two classes at night, they could graduate” from Middlesex, Minkler said. For the most part, students enrolled in the program would need to take more courses to earn their associate degree, he said.
The program will be limited to certain majors, such as business, manufacturing and liberal arts.
“Our goal is to raise college awareness to have all students succeed in early college experiences. Together, we believe that educational opportunity unlocks economic opportunity,” Minkler said.
“This will strengthen ties between the college and school district, and provide students with amazing opportunities to get college credit, and advance their educational path,” he said.
For information, visit middletownschools.org and mxcc.edu.