AP, IB, and other ways to earn college credit now!

Page last updated August 28, 2009 1:29 PM

 

Take College Courses While Still Enrolled in High School

 

Overview of the 4J Expanded Options Program (UO and LCC)

4J students who are at least 16 years old or in grades 11 or 12 and have not received a diploma an opportunity to take college courses at school district expense while enrolled in high school. Payment for tuition, textbooks, equipment and materials are the responsibility of the school district. Eligible students can earn college credits provided they meet the following criteria:

• Meet with their high school counselor and complete an educational learning plan.

• Apply and must be accepted by the college they want to attend.

• May enroll only in eligible college courses through the Expanded Options Program that are not offered at high school, and the courses must support their educational learning plan.

• Students may attend college half or full-time but cannot have a full high school schedule while in the program.

• Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress at both high school and college while in the program.

• Students who do not attend or pass the college courses they have signed up for will be dropped from the program.

• Students must provide their own transportation.

• Foreign exchange students under cultural exchange program are ineligible to participate.

 

Expanded Options: Duck Link (U of O)

A FREE program through the University of Oregon for juniors and seniors who have taken the highest level course offered in a subject area at the high school level. Eligible students receive regular UO credit, which can be applied to their high school graduation requirements.

 

The UO pays the tuition (instruction fee) for all approved Duck Link students, up to a maximum of 8 credits per quarter. Students or their parents are responsible for the cost of fees (beyond the instruction fee) that all Community Education students pay. Students with demonstrated financial need may have their fees paid by the district. Students and/or their parents are responsible for the purchase of course books and materials.

 

Expanded Options: College Now (LCC)

A FREE dual-credit program partnership with Lane Community College (LCC) allowing students to earn college credits through identified high school courses. Last year over 4,000 college credits were earned by 4J high school students while attending high school. There is no fee to participate.

 

There are two types of College Now credits:
• Lower-division academic transfer courses
• Professional technical courses (also known as Tech Prep)

 

The professional technical courses that are part of College Now seek to meet the needs of high school students by eliminating duplication of learning, shortening length of time in Lane programs, and providing guidance and encouragement for students to pursue careers in professional technical areas.

 

There is no fee to take College Now courses. However, there may be charges for books or supplies.

 

The credits earned at Lane through College Now may be transferred to another post secondary institution without attending Lane. To have your Lane transcript sent to another institution, you must use the transcript request process, available through the Lane Student Records Office.

 

To find out which courses qualify, contact your counselor or visit the LCC web site.

 

Expanded Options: Regional Technical Education Consortium (LCC)

This FREE program is a collaborative effort through LCC to provide students rigorous and relevant professional technical training according to industry standards and community needs. RTEC enables students to pursue industry-aligned coursework and prepares them for high skill, competitive wage careers that meet regional economic development needs for a quality workforce.

 

Advanced Placement (AP)

College level AP courses are offered for FREE at each high school. Students must pass the exam at the standard specified in order to receive college credit. This option allows students to earn credit or advanced placement at most of the nation’s colleges and universities and in 28 other countries.

 

International Baccalaureate (IB)

International Baccalaureate courses are a recognized program of excellent international education, encouraging students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. According to the International Baccalaureate Organization, the IB is a challenging two-year program of international education for juniors and seniors. The IB prepares students for colleges by encouraging them to:
* Ask challenging questions
* Learn how to learn
* Develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture
* Develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.