Everybody's Business

Panel from Amy Beihl High School Governor Richardson’s Higher Education Summit October 2, 2009

Panelists include HS Director, senior class supervisor, UNM Dean of University College

AB is a charter school focused on service and scholarship.  All AB grads have completed 2 college courses (CNM or UNM).  All students also have service learning linked with this.  Goal is to add relevancy to HS experience.  98% grads have gone on to further study. 

Students introduced course placement and service project.  Courses seem to be core courses.  Some senior projects:  writing life legacies at a hospice, and restoring a steam engine (not the same student).

Q:  How did expectations of dual credit differ from reality? 

A:  Amy Beihl was more help than student expected, example:  helped student place into higher level math than he tested into, so was able to get credit for course.  Teachers got student ready for second semester after failing first semester course.  Transition was very helpful.  Student who did this as a junior felt that she had less support.  Intimidated by new school and environment, but helps that other AB students in class. 

Q:  College freshmen:  How are things different, and how did dual credit help?

A:  AB really helps get rid of fear and does not let you slack off.  Student was surprised that it was not obvious he was a high school student.  Student scared of English classes and deadlines.  At AB, did not have experience with syllabus, independent approach to assignment (no hand holding for turning in assignments.)  Two students admitted to failing first assignment because they did not look at syllabi.

Q:  what have you benefitted from  at AB?

A:  Small group discussions are really helpful in teaching to express self.  (Literary circles, Socratic discussions).  AB holds regular seminars.  This ties closely to some seminar styles classes at UNM. 

Q:  Differences between dual credit experience and full-time status?

A:  No coordination:  instructors do not care about work load in other courses.  She sees many first-years dropping out but feels prepared by AB.  DE students had AB resources; now she is forced to go to tutoring, instructors, peers for help.

Q:  What skills did you get from DE experience, what have you developed on your own?

A:  Really hated the 75% fail rate.  C- at UNM is 74% and below, and no credit is given for C-. 

Q:  Can you revise papers at college?

A:  CNM student turned in first essay with 5 revisions attached.  Instructor was impressed, paper got an A.  Student learned to get instructor feedback (HS and college level).

Q:  How has this experience impacted you? 

A:  AB helped her become a contributor in discussions.  Helps teach what the college experience is like. 

Q:  How has this been relevant?

A:  Teaching about time management – has been helpful.  Service project demonstrated that classes can relate to real life.  Music class in CNM helped tie to music class at AB.  Psychology helped deal with HS students in classroom. 

Q:  How many are first gen students?  AB has about half first generation students. 

A:  Student sees other DC students who do not seem to understand why they are there.  AB has higher expectations, and that is a big help.  Students have internalized those higher expectations.  AB also taught to give feedback, and translates well to college. 

AB has 290 students, 63 members of the senior class.  Secondary schools need to collaborate with providers to ensure that students can get help they need in school.

Passages course for seniors included filling out FAFSA, applying for colleges, scholarships, etc.