Page 6 - InOurSchools

6 — El Dorado NEWS-TIMES — Sunday, March 19 Vision 2017— In Our Schools
State, group launch on-time completion initiative
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education and Complete College America gathered institutional leaders to launch the state’s 15
to Finish initiative — an effort designed to boost on-time completion rates and reduce student loan debt. The initiative provides students with critical information about credit accumulation, empowering them to make better-informed decisions about their academic journey.
Data show that most full-time American college students do not graduate on time – just 41 percent of full-time students at four-year, flagship institutions and 20 percent at four-year, non-flagship institutions graduate in four years; 5 percent of full-time stu- dents at two-year institutions graduate in two years (CCA Data Collection). Additionally, most full-time students are not earning the 30 credits needed each academic year to graduate on time.
While not all students will be able to take 15 cred- its per semester, providing information about what it takes to graduate on time ensures students are making informed decisions about course loads, their time to degree and the costs associated with their academic pathway.
Arkansas’ 15 to Finish campaign will highlight the consequences of graduating late – including increased loan debt and lost wages – and encourages students to take at least 15 credits per semester or 30 credits per year (including summers) to ensure
on-time completion. The campaign also highlights the fact that students who take at least 15 credits per semester are not only more likely to complete, they do better academically and are more likely to be retained year over year.
Results from around the country show that many more students could be taking the credits needed to graduate on time. The University of Hawai’i System – where 15 to Finish originated – has doubled the percentage of first-time freshmen who enroll in 15 or more credits in their first semester. Since launching the initiative at its urban campus, Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis has increased the percentage of first-time, full-time students taking 15 credits from 28% in 2012 to 69% in 2016.
“There’s a glaring disconnect in American higher education: Most students tell us they want to gradu- ate on time, but too few finish enough college cours- es each year – including summers – to do so,” said Complete College America President Tom Sugar. “Our work with Arkansas will empower institutions to help more students accomplish more college cred- its each year, saving themselves and their families millions of dollars and making the dream of a college degree much more likely.”
Ann Clemmer, Senior Associate Director with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education said “The 15 to Finish campaign is an educational effort to remind and encourage students that if they want to
complete college on time, they need to take 30 hours a year. There has been some confusion for students as full-time status is defined across the country as 12 hours per semester. While 12 hours will remain a full- time designation, a student who only completes the 12 hours required of them, and doesn’t take classes in the summer will spend five years to finish a four- year degree.
“We hope that by having the “15 to Finish” campaign here in Arkansas we can change the conversation and see more students able to graduate on time and enter the work force sooner.”
You can view the Arkansas 15 to Finish campaign video here. http://www.adhe.edu/about-adhe/gov- ernment-relations-special-projects/
The mission of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education is to advocate for higher education; to promote a coordinated system of higher education in the state; and to assist each of the publicly and local- ly supported institutions of higher education in the state in improving the delivery of higher education services to the citizens of Arkansas.
Established in 2009, Complete College America is a national nonprofit with a single mission: to work with states to significantly increase the number of Americans with quality career certificates or college degrees and to close attainment gaps for traditionally underrepresented populations. For more informa- tion, visit completecollege.org.
School District
ACADEMICS
• Small class sizes (help for struggling students)
• Opportunity to earn college credits at South Arkansas
Community College Career Center (district provides
afternoon transportation)
• Career coach & counselor to assist students
• 70% of 2017 seniors accepted to colleges
• Advance Placement Classes
• After school tutoring at Gardner Strong Elementary • Expanding electives each year
• Credit recovery opportunities
• Incentives for academic achievement
Both campuses welcome input from parents and community that will further students’ education.
SPORTS & EXTRA-CURRICULAR
• Sr. Girls basketball – Quarter finals of state participant • Football, basketball, softball, track, and cheerleading • Small teams with individualized coaching
• Athletes signed by colleges in and out of state
• BETA Club, Math Club, EAST, FBLA, Quiz Bowl, Choir,
Yearbook staff, Skills USA, Gifted and Talented program
We accept and welcome all approved transfers and participate in school choice.
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Please contact us for more information at 870-797-7322 or email jeff.alphin@strong.scsc.k12.ar.us
get the
TRAINING for the
SKILLS you need to have a
CAREER
contact career counselor
GRACE PALCULICT (870) 875-7288 gpalculict@southark.edu
Paid by National Emergency Grant/ Arkansas Sector Partnership
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Still Going Strong!
Where Community and Families Are Important