Transcript Advising the Running Start Student

Advising the Running
Start Student
One Year, AA, and Beyond
Jeannie Beierle
Wanda Curtis
Historical Perspective
• Component of the 1990 parent and student
“Choice Act”
• Intended to provide an option for
simultaneously earning high school and college
credit
Applicable Statutes
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RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.400
RCW 28A.150.260
RCW 28A.150.290
RCW 28B.50.535
See RCW’s at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov
What is Running Start?
Juniors & Seniors in high school have the option to take
classes at their local community college tuition free during
fall, winter and spring quarters
Students earn credit for taking classes at the college that
count as credit toward high school graduation (ex: Taking
English 101 for one quarter at the college earns a student a
full English credit at the high school)
Students also earn college credit which they can use toward
completing their Associate degree or when transferring to a
four year institution
Who is Eligible to Participate?
There are only two steps to qualify:
1. Students must have junior or senior class standing
at the high school by September (Home school
students must be assessed at the local district and
meet junior/senior status)
and
2. Students must pass the Sentence Skills and
Reading portions of the College Placement Test (CPT)
at the English 101 eligible level
The College Student vs.
High School Student
College students are:
• Mature
• Self motivated
• Organized
• Responsible
• Independent Learners
• Eager for knowledge
• Plans to earn a degree in
higher ed after HS
High School students are:
• Less mature
• Less worried about
academics/more
concerned with
socializing.
• Highly involved in sports
or other HS activities.
• May not be interested in
college after high school.
Benefits of Running Start
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Head start on college studies
Save money on tuition
Can participate in clubs & activities
Can participate in Study Abroad
On campus employment opportunities
Potential to finish an Associate degree
Degree completers walk in college graduation
Looks great on a resume to say you have college
experience
Best Practices: Initial Advising
• Students and parents well informed
• Discuss differences between high school and
college life
• True picture of financial responsibilities
• Importance of planning, planning, planning
• Parent involvement/School involvement
Relationships
• High school counselors working with college
advisors
• Students and the college advisor/Students and
the high school counselor: Both equally
important and necessary
Successful Running Start Students
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Are independent learners
Understand College Classroom Expectations
Have good time management & organizational skills
Ask questions of staff & faculty
Balance Sports, Theater & Other Activities
Have families that are supportive
Are ready to move on from the high school
environment
Don’t Be An Overachiever!!
We want you to be successful.
Best Practices: On-going advising
• Regular communication with counselor and
advisor are critical
• Review of progress and how the student is
coping on adult campus
• Consideration of a major when AA complete
• Future planning (Educational, financial, and
personal)
Why Complete the AA Degree?
• Direct transfer agreement with four year schools
in Washington state
• Tuition is paid through the Running Start
program
• Better employment opportunities right out of
high school
• Shows that you are a serious student
• Sometimes life takes a turn you didn’t expect- at
least you will have a degree other than your high
school diploma
Tips For Students To Stay On
Top Of Things…
• Make sure students are ready to register on Advising Day
• Treat this like a part time job- that is the amount of time
they will have to put into it.
• More activities may = longer to complete degree
• It is never too early to start talking to the four year
schools
• Earning the high school diploma makes students eligible
for financial aid
Best Practices:
Preparing to Transfer
• Primary focus on high school diploma
completion
• Take an average of 15 college credits per quarter
for six quarters total
• Researching 4 year universities is essential
• Clarify transfer credits/degrees
• Ready to declare a major….students need to
know where they are going
Running Start Students &
Degrees
• Primary focus on high school diploma completion
• Classes taken at RS can count for high school and
college degree completion
• Take an average of 15 college credits per quarter
for six quarters total
Students and Degrees (Cont.)
• Only about 1% of Running Start students
complete an associate degree by high school
graduation
• Many Running Start students complete their
associate degree after high school graduation
• Transcript from RS follows student to 4 year
college
• Students apply to the four year as a freshman
applicant
Degree Completion Program
• New Legislation from 2009 session
• Allows Running Start students to complete an
Associate degree in place of high school
graduation requirements
• Students then request a state high school
diploma from the college
• Must be completed within the two years of
Running Start eligibility. Otherwise cannot
receive high school diploma until age 21.
Degree Overview
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Degree Levels
Certificate of Completion
Associate Degree (AA/AS)
Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS)
Master’s Degree (MA/MS)
Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD)
Degree Overview
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Associate in Arts
 All degrees….
 90 credits
Associate in Science I
 100+ level courses
Associate in Science II
 ENGL 101
Associate in Business
 Diversity Class
Associate in Elem. Education  Minimum 2.0 GPA
Associate in Pre Nursing
Associate in Nursing
Associate in Applied Science
Associate in General Education
WA 4-Year University
Running Start Programs
• Washington State University (WSU)-Pullman
– Offered to students attending Whitman County high
schools
– Once accepted into the WSU program, student
registers as a non-degree seeking student
– If student decides to matriculate to WSU, R/S
credits apply to general education requirements
– Contact person: Tanie Swanger
([email protected])
WA 4-Year University
Running Start Programs
• Central Washington University- (CWU)Ellensburg
– Available to h/s students living in Ellensburg,
Kittitas, Thorp and home schooled students
– Unable to serve students in Cle Elum due to
distance
– Currently serving 69 high school students
– Contact person: Scott Carlson ([email protected])
WA 4-Year University
Running Start Programs
• Eastern Washington University- EWU (Cheney)
– Offers “one-stop” services for RS students
– Serves 18 school districts(on-campus program)– 377 current
students
– Works with h/s counselors to develop Graduation Plans for
each of their service districts outlining approved EWU course
equivalencies for each district
– Meets with each R/S student every quarter prior to
registration to identify needed coursework
– Priority registration after first quarter, free books for students
eligible for free or reduced lunch at h/s, EWU ID card
serves as a free bus pass
– Contact person: Barbara Baines ([email protected])
Questions ??????