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More than 400 local high school students going for associate's degree

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By JENNY DERRINGER

derringer@crescent-news.com

While more than 440 graduates were awarded diplomas or certificates last week at Northwest State Community College, a handful accomplished an interesting feat -- earning their associate's degree prior to being awarded their high school diploma.

Those students were enrolled in the Ohio Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program, allowing them to take coursework to earn an associate's degree while finishing up their high school degree.

Each year, the state allocates a predetermined amount of money per student in basic funding to the schools. By enrolling in this program, a portion of that funding goes to pay for college-level classes, allowing teen-agers the option of earning college credits free of charge.

With the downturn in the economy and the rising cost of a college education, it's been a good time to enroll in the post-secondary program.

And many students took advantage of this opportunity during fiscal year 2008.

According to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), 11,679 students statewide were enrolled in college and high school at the same time. Those participating in northwest Ohio totaled 426: Defiance County, 50; Fulton County, 99; Henry County, 117; Putnam County, 115; Williams County, 33; and Paulding County, 12.

The college program, which was initiated statewide in 1989, is now open to students in grades 9-12. This allows students to have their tuition and books paid in full by the state.

For more information on post-secondary options, visit the ODE website at www.ode.state. Those interested in participating can make an appointment with their high school guidance counselor to enroll, with a deadline of March 30 each year.

Those earning Northwest State Community College (NSCC) degrees and high school diplomas this year are Colten Levi and Josh Westfall of Hilltop High School, Joshua McMaster of Fairview High School, Kristi Frank of Stryker High School, Chase Sauder of Archbold High School, Megan Fee of North Central High School and Kristina Shawley, Lyndsay Vieira and Ian Mueller of Tinora High School.

Vieira, who will receive her high school diploma on Sunday, also earned an associate degree of arts and an associate degree of science from NSCC on May 16. She now plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in education from Bowling Green State University.

To make her recent college graduation even more special, her father, Randy, also earned a millwright-related trades certificate from NSCC with future plans of completing an associate's degree.

Connie Klingshirn, NSCC registrar, noted requirements for potential post-secondary options students.

"They work with their high school guidance counselor and must have a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale if they are a freshman or sophomore, and 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for juniors and seniors," said Klingshirn. "They are also required to take the COMPASS assessment test and earn appropriate scores."

She noted several reasons for taking advantage of this opportunity including the fact that enrolling would jump-start their college career and it could help their families financially. In addition, a college course can be used to fulfill a high school requirement.

Kristi zumFelde Rotroff, NSCC director of student resources, reported that the college had 140 active post-secondary options students for fall and spring semesters this academic year.

At Defiance College, the requirements for high school students are: freshmen, 4.0 cumulative GPA, top 10 percent of the class; sophomores, 3.75 GPA, top 25 percent; and juniors and seniors, 3.5 cumulative GPA, top 35 percent.

"A student can obtain college credit at no expense while in high school," explained Jennifer Stark, DC assistant director of admissions. "Their school district pays tuition and the college provides textbooks. Students benefit from an expanded curriculum through more challenging and in-depth courses, experiencing personal enrichment and growth at an established private liberal arts college."

"Each college can set the standards for post-secondary enrollment, but the lowest participating GPA I have seen would be a 3.0," SAID Dwight Dundore, Ayersville High School guidance counselor. "Some require either an ACT or COMPASS testing experience. Some require a specific GPA for a specific subject area to take classes in that subject.

"All participants (with a parent) must have an awareness session with the counselor prior to registering for the program," he stated. "Defiance County's post-secondary information program is the last Monday in February at Defiance College at 7 p.m."

Ayersville had eight students participating in the program during the 2008-09 school year, with four at Defiance College and four at Northwest State Community College.