CATAWISSA R.R. - Southern Columbia Area School District has made the practice of students taking college courses in their senior year a formal part of its graduation policy.
The board approved a second and final reading of the policy at a special meeting Monday. It includes this paragraph:
"The fourth year of high school shall not be required for graduation if a student has completed all requirements for three years and attends a postsecondary institution as a full-time student for his/her fourth year."
"We have always allowed juniors and seniors to take college level courses," Superintendent Paul Caputo added Tuesday. "The student must have pre-approval from the school principal and the course work would have to match up with our graduation requirements in proficiency" as detailed by the state.
Caputo said students are already taking advantage of the program, studying at Bloomsburg University and Luzerne County Community College. It was formally added to the policy as the district updates its comprehensive plan for the state, which is required every six years.
The motion to approve the policy was made by John Yocum and seconded by Charlene Cove. It passed by a 7-0 vote with Yocum, Cove, Michael Yeager, Charlie Porter, Tim Vought, Gail Zambor Schuerch and Tom Reich voting yes. Board member Joe Klebon was absent.
Common locally
Southern Columbia may be the first locally to put the policy on paper, but other local districts have been allowing students to forgo their senior years in high school in the name of higher education.
"We do have students who complete the requirements early and use their senior year to start their college career," Shamokin Area curriculum coordinator Ruby Michetti said. "Some students have decided their career path early in life."
The early college education program, Michetti said, helps students achieve rather than punishing them by forcing them into study halls they don't need because they have finished all their courses.
At Mount Carmel Area, the Advance College Experience (ACE) program allows students to forgo part or their senior year to take college courses at Bloomsburg.
"We have a board-approved agreement with the university for this program," Superintendent Bernard Stellar said. "We have pretty stringent requirements to be a part of the program, and each approval is dealt with on a case-by-case basis."
Participants in Bloomsburg's ACE program can receive 75 percent off the residential tuition rate.
GED, vet changes
Also listed in Southern's new policy are requirements for those receiving diplomas based on general education development (GED) testing.
Southern will issue a GED diploma if the person attended the district as a full-time student for a minimum of three years, verified by district records; was a resident of the district for three years prior to the request; and if the last class of students in which the person requesting the diploma was enrolled has graduated.
The new policy also expands the requirements for diplomas for veterans who left high school to serve their country in wartime. Previously, the policy applied to veterans of World War II, but now adds those who served in wars in Korea and Vietnam.