Frederick County Career Technology Education Advisory Council officials met in order solve low enrollment in the program. Currently, fewer students are participating in dual enrollment than anticipated, officials said at a Feb. 14 meeting.
“We could have high school students getting college credits for lower prices,” said Career and Technology Education coordinator, Norm McGaughey,
According to the meeting agenda, the council’s goal is to promote family and community involvement for student success and to advocate for the program and all of its advantages.
McGaughey said that students will eventually drive themselves into over 100,000 dollars worth of debt trying to get all of their credits only from a four -year college. He also said that the tuition at Frederick Community College ranges from about one to two thousand dollars per semester, making it a better option.
The FCC website states that tuition for students taking twelve credits, (full-time students) runs at $1,760.40.
CTE officials took into consideration the possibilities that could be the causes of low enrollment, an ongoing issue for the program.
“Maybe some kids don’t know that there is another option,” said John Yoho, business education teacher at Brunswick High School.
McGaughy said that some students may think CTE is too hard or want to take the easy way out and avoid a college level course. Or, maybe passing the required Accuplacer exam is too difficult or intimidating to students and they never even get the opportunity to take the course.
“Give kids a chance,” said McGaughey.
Alongside possible placing a request to restructure the test, the officials are looking at other opportunities to make the process easier. Officials are considering expanding the dual enrollment process.
Yoho suggested that the procedure entail “students taking the dual enrollment course, and then in order to get the FCC credit, pass the Accuplacer.”
Officials brainstormed strategies to bring awareness to the program. Kati Heefner, a. teacher specialist at FCPS for the CTE department, has already created a Twitter page for CTE (@FCPSCTE) and has tagged FCPS on it.
“We want this to be a way for students, parents, and even school counselors to get even more information about CTE,” said Heefner.
The officials have also planned for a financial literacy event to take place at Hood College during the 2018-19 school years. At this event, students will have the opportunity to speak with businesses who have been recruited by the officials about potential employment options for their futures.
McGaughey plans to have prior FCC students speak to the upcoming college students about their success and maybe get them more motivated and interested in the program.
“If we have former students sharing their story and successes, it would be much more powerful than us doing it. It would also help grow the CTE program as well,” said McGaughey.
