2008 Woodie Awards
YEC program learns lesson: Poor performance at college level sparks changes
J. Breen Mitchell, Reporter
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
The first class of Youngstown Early College will graduate this year, and so far, the program is not living up to expectations.
YEC is a program by which high school students can earn college credit throughout their four years of high school, combining the two levels of education with the intention of giving the students a head start on their educational careers.
The goal set forth by YEC administration is for students to earn 45 to 60 college credits during their four years of high school. The first graduating class only has four students achieving this goal by receiving associate's degrees.
Reasons for the shortfall may be due to a couple of factors, said John Wilson, YEC dean.
One reason, Wilson said, is that the program is still fairly new.
"It's the fourth year of a new program," said Wilson, who added that this is his first year with YEC.
Wilson said the college is designed for students to be able to receive the 45 to 60 credits that are available once planned changes in recruitment and class schedules are implemented. He said that YEC is one of the first programs of its kind in Ohio, and that is one reason for some initial pitfalls.
"There were a lot of lessons to be learned, and we have learned," said Wilson.
Wilson said that this year some changes in recruitment have been implemented,adding a scoring rubric based on grades and attendance, as well as the original criteria of "economically disadvantaged, under-represented populations, first generation, and underachieving students."
Another change, described in the YEC program update as a short-term solution, is the elimination of study halls and the addition of more electives, which are needed for graduation.
In addition, Wilson said that next year, freshmen and sophomores will take more high school courses, while juniors and seniors will take more college based courses.
"Looking at the history, we had kids going to the wrong place at the wrong time," said Wilson.
Wilson said that he expects the changes to improve the performance of the program in the immediate future.
"We'll be on track to achieve the goal of 45 to 60 credits for most students,"Wilson said.
YEC is a program by which high school students can earn college credit throughout their four years of high school, combining the two levels of education with the intention of giving the students a head start on their educational careers.
The goal set forth by YEC administration is for students to earn 45 to 60 college credits during their four years of high school. The first graduating class only has four students achieving this goal by receiving associate's degrees.
Reasons for the shortfall may be due to a couple of factors, said John Wilson, YEC dean.
One reason, Wilson said, is that the program is still fairly new.
"It's the fourth year of a new program," said Wilson, who added that this is his first year with YEC.
Wilson said the college is designed for students to be able to receive the 45 to 60 credits that are available once planned changes in recruitment and class schedules are implemented. He said that YEC is one of the first programs of its kind in Ohio, and that is one reason for some initial pitfalls.
"There were a lot of lessons to be learned, and we have learned," said Wilson.
Wilson said that this year some changes in recruitment have been implemented,adding a scoring rubric based on grades and attendance, as well as the original criteria of "economically disadvantaged, under-represented populations, first generation, and underachieving students."
Another change, described in the YEC program update as a short-term solution, is the elimination of study halls and the addition of more electives, which are needed for graduation.
In addition, Wilson said that next year, freshmen and sophomores will take more high school courses, while juniors and seniors will take more college based courses.
"Looking at the history, we had kids going to the wrong place at the wrong time," said Wilson.
Wilson said that he expects the changes to improve the performance of the program in the immediate future.
"We'll be on track to achieve the goal of 45 to 60 credits for most students,"Wilson said.
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