Dutchess County school districts are constantly seeking ways to encourage high school students to challenge themselves and apply their knowledge to college-level coursework, and local education leaders are working to help make the transition a little easier.
A bridge program, linking college work with high school curriculum, was an option discussed by the Poughkeepsie City School District at its last meeting on March 12.
Citizens Advisory Committee member Daniel McCabe said that a bridge program, like the one offered through Dutchess Community College, would help solve the problem of diminished course opportunities for students when advanced placement (AP) level and elective courses are eliminated due to under-enrollment.
Districts such as Arlington, Wappinger, Highland and Hyde Park offer the program, and McCabe said a total of 10 Dutchess County school districts utilize the program through DCC.
DCC has been involved with bridge programs since 1978, averaging 30-40 served students annually, and has served about 1,000 students since its inception.
“The students at DCC are able to transfer 30 credits to any college of their choice,” said Dr. Sandra Miller Holst, dean of student services and enrollment management at DCC. She added that because the bridge program is academically based, students must have an 85 average in New York State Regents-based core courses, such as math, English, science and history, to participate.
Laval Wilson, superintendent for the Poughkeepsie City School District, said the board is reviewing the proposal and will make a decision on affiliation sometime in April (before the 2008-09 budget is finalized).
He said issues to be discussed include who will pay for operation of the program between students and the district, properly identifying teachers ar the high school and whether the program would be offered on a college campus or at the high school.
McCabe added that course work does not substitute for senior year required core curriculum.
Other colleges as well
DCC is not the only local college to offer a bridge program – Marist College has also been affiliated with a bridge program for nearly 30 years.
Marist spokesman Tim Massie said the college works with Spackenkill, Arlington, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John Jay, Roy C. Ketcham and Marlboro high schools.
“In addition, the college will offer a scholarship of 10 percent to student in the top fifth of their high school class,” he said.
Patricia Laffin, administrative assistant to Jane Fiore, director of the Marist bridge program, said 99 percent of the program’s students are on the dean’s list.
Laffin said that students usually take one course at the high school, often English, and then are able to take courses at the college.
Both Massie and Laffin agree that the program produces quality students by offering a chance at college life.
“It’s exceptional because these students come and blend in; they’re the cream of crop,” said Laffin.
According to Lynn LeFevre, supervisor of guidance for Arlington Central School District, the high school has been involved with the bridge program at DCC and Marist for over 20 years.
“We’re fortunate to have schools such as Marist, Vassar and DCC in our backyards,” said LeFevre.
LeFevre said Arlington can offer 22 advanced placement (AP) courses at the high school, and sometimes students have gone beyond AP courses in senior year, which includes taking courses during the summer at any of the local colleges.
“It’s a nice way for students who have begun to be ready before they take the plunge to go off to school,” she said.
Christine Brady, interim assistant superintendent for instruction at Wappingers Central School District, said the district offers bridge programs in accounting, English and biology.