Truman’s Dual Enrollment Program Provides Exciting Educational Opportunities
Posted on 01/18/2024
Truman High School offers many innovative programs and opportunities for students, and the continued growth and expansion of its dual enrollment program is one exciting example.
High school dual enrollment programs have emerged as a transformative educational opportunity for students, allowing them to simultaneously earn college credits while completing their high school requirements. This innovative approach to education not only accelerates academic advancement but also provides students with a taste of higher education and real-world learning experiences.
“It really is a great opportunity for our students,” Secondary Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction Rob Findlay stated. “It gives kids the chance to take exciting college coursework that is unique and that they may have an interest in, that we previously could not offer, at no or minimal cost to them. Many of our students in the dual enrollment program are transferring a significant number of credits to the colleges that accept them upon graduation, saving their families a lot of money.”
Key benefits of Truman’s Dual Enrollment Program include academic acceleration, as students can complete basic college requirements while still in high school, allowing them to graduate with both a diploma and a head start on their college education. There also is the promise of future cost savings, as one of the advantages of dual enrollment is the potential saving on college tuition for students and their families. Furthermore, Truman’s dual enrollment program offers students the opportunity to experience college-level coursework, helping them become familiar with the academic expectations and rigor of higher education and to explore their academic interests and potential career paths.
Truman’s current dual enrollment program is in collaboration with Bucks County Community College, with courses being taught by BCCC professors both at Truman and on the BCCC campus.
“It is great to get into the college environment by being on campus and experiencing what college will be like,” said student Xavier Torres, who is taking courses in history/political science. “Getting college contacts opened the door to my internship with Representative Tina Davis.”
Truman currently offers the following Dual Enrollment courses:
• Interpersonal Communication
• Responding to Emergencies
• Criminal Justice
• Psychological Techniques
• English Composition
• Principles of Economics
• American National Government
• Foundations of Education
• Nutrition
“Courses not only match my level of interest, but I have found that I can use them in my daily life,” said Kacie Lawson, who is studying to become a physical education teacher. “I’ve learned skills that will help me interact with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.”
Next year, as a benefit of a grant provided to Truman to expand their program, the school will add a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh through their “College in High School” program. This program allows Truman teachers to teach current offerings that are aligned to Pitt’s programs for college credit. Each student that successfully completes an identified course will receive between 3-4 credits from the University of Pittsburgh on their official transcript.
“With the current number of students in each of these classes, we could almost double the number of students taking a dual enrollment course next year,” Mr. Findlay stated. “Best of all, with the grant we received last year, we will be able to pay the tuition costs for all of these students.”
Truman High School is proud to be able to offer an expanding Dual Enrollment program that not only provides academic advantages but also cultivate essential skills and confidence in students as they navigate the transition to higher education
“It is certainly likely that high school dual enrollment programs will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of education and preparing students for success in their academic and professional pursuits,” Mr. Findlay stated. “We are happy that Truman is part of this innovative educational process that can be so beneficial to our students.”
During course scheduling, Truman's counseling team discusses dual enrollment offerings with sophomores and juniors, and information can also be found in the "Program of Studies" guide.
“Some students see dual enrollment as intimidating, but it is a pretty simple process. The school counselors are a huge help in getting everyone enrolled,” said Teagon Heston, who is interested in pursuing a career in nursing.
Additionally, Truman offers field trips to BCCC for students to experience the campus and explore course options.