June 2, 2010
Media contact: Patty Wellborn
Office: 604-795-2819
patty.wellborn@ufv.ca
High school students earn university credits thanks to transition partnership
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| UFV psychology instructor Wayne Podrouzek teaches to a group of Grade 11 and 12 students at Agassiz Secondary School's library. |
It’s 3 o’clock on Friday afternoon, and Grade 12 student Blake Darel is just entering Agassiz Secondary School.
He’s going against the tide of fast-moving students. They are pouring out of the building, their weekend just beginning. Darel, on the other hand, will be sitting in class for the next three hours. And no, it’s not detention. He’s one of 22 Agassiz high school students taking Psychology 101 from the University of the Fraser Valley.
While Darel’s friends are off to hang out on a Friday afternoon, he is earning university credits. This is the third university-level course that has been available to high school students in the Fraser Cascade School District this academic year. So far, UFV has offered Theatre in Agassiz and Halq’eméylem in Hope. UFV’s partnership with the school district allows students to earn high school and university credits simultaneously, explains regional student transition coordinator Pam Jones.
Jones works with students to help them move successfully from high school to university. She’s heard dozens of valid reasons why students decide to not go on to post-secondary learning and it’s her job to break down those barriers. Many say they are afraid that university might be too difficult, or that they might not be successful, or that it might be too costly. Even getting to campus, with the challenges of the graduated driver’s licence, is a hurdle for many, she says.
“UFV and the school district wanted to provide an authentic transition experience for secondary students, and are hoping to blur the lines between secondary and post-secondary education,” says Jones. “By doing so, we will hopefully dispel some of the myths and barriers that prevent students from continuing their education after high school.”
While not 100 per cent sure of which program direction he will take, Darel does plan to attend university and he would love it if UFV offered more local options to high school students. Psychology 101 introduces students to the field of psychology and the basic perspectives of psychology with respect to learning, memory, thought, child development, sensation and perception, and physiology. It’s a lower-level elective that fits into most post-secondary programs.
“It would be great if there were some entry-level science courses that we could take, too,” he says. “I am thinking sciences now, but if I decide to take criminology and get my Bachelor of Arts degree, then I’m going to have to take Psych 101 anyway. So this will save me time and money when I do get to university.”
It certainly will save students and families money. The partnership between School District 78 and UFV allows the students study for free while the school district provides office space for UFV staff in exchange for instructional time. The only cost to the students is for the text books and their time on Friday afternoons. Still, these students count it as a bargain for all that they have gained.
“We still have plenty of time to hang out with our friends after class,” points out Alysha Baxter. She’s one of three Grade 11 students in this class, and she also took UFV’s Theatre 111 last semester. “This is an awesome opportunity for me because I’m earning university credits and working on my post-secondary education when I’m still in high school.”
Agassiz Secondary School principal Patsy Graham appreciates the opportunity the university has created for the students. She recognizes how tough it can be for some students to think past high school graduation, so to be able to ‘test drive’ a university course inside the high school where they are comfortable, is a great incentive to her students.
“The partnership established between Agassiz Secondary and UFV provides our students with a fantastic opportunity,” she adds. “They are exposed to the realities of university, can earn dual credit towards graduation, and there is financial support. Our goal is provide our students with as many opportunities as possible to achieve success and this partnership helps us all reach that goal."
Travis Scott, also in Grade 11, likes the way UFV’s psychology instructor Wayne Podrouzek treats the students. Each week they are given assignments and deadlines. The students know the work is expected to be done before the next class — no excuses.
“We do get treated differently than we are in high school and I think it’s giving us a really good idea of what to expect. If the work isn’t done, it’s not like you’re in trouble or anything, you just know you are going to get a lousy mark. I feel like I already know what’s it’s going to be like in university and it’s going to be totally up to me to get my work done on time.”
To ensure the work does get done, and is done well, the students have formed a study group. They meet once a week, outside of high school, to make sure they are all coping with the load of the university course on top of the regular high school responsibilities. It’s up to them to review their notes, do the prescribed reading, and come to class prepared to participate and learn. Unlike high school, there is no tiresome review of previous lessons; if they miss a class, it’s up to them to make up the time.
“I like Wayne’s style of teaching,” says Rosalee Rohde, Grade 12. “He doesn’t ramble on, but he will make sure we are all comfortable with what he’s teaching before we move on to the next level. He treats us like we’re older, and I guess that why I like it so much.”
Podrouzek is impressed with his young protégés. Crowded into the school library, they shout out answers and participate openly in the class. It’s a casual atmosphere, but does sober a little while he hands out tests results.
“The students are doing very well, and a few are even doing better than some of my university students,” he says. “It started out slowly, though, and they were very quiet. But as we’ve gone through the course, they have started to engage, ask questions, and even challenge me on a few points. That’s the type of critical thinking that I want to see from them.”
Jones says that in the first two semesters of this program, more than 47 high school students have earned university credits at either Hope or Agassiz high schools.
“I think it’s this kind of cooperation and innovation that will drive an increase in the number of students accessing post-secondary education upon graduation,” she adds. “And they will do so with confidence, having proven they are already capable and successful at university studies.”
This fall, UFV will offer Halq’eméylem in Hope and a first-year kinesiology course in Agassiz. For the winter semester, starting January 2011, Political Science 120 will be available at Agassiz Secondary School.
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