High School Students Earn Credit at Landmark College
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by Solvegi Shmulsky
PUTNEY, Vt. -- Local high school students can sign up for a course at Landmark College thanks to renewal of the dual enrollment program run by the Windham Regional Collegiate High School. In August 2015, the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union (WSESU) and the College signed for a third year of this progressive program which provides Vermont teens access to college courses. Since the program started in 2013, over 1,000 high school students have taken courses from the 40-plus approved offerings at participating institutions. Six students from the local district have taken a course at Landmark College, and more are expected this year.
“Providing dual enrollment opportunities to high school students with learning differences is part of our mission,” said Dr. Monika Bissell, vice president of Academic Affairs at Landmark College. “In doing so, we are providing hands-on experience that can ease them into what may be a very daunting prospect.”
In addition to gaining college experience, dual enrollment students can save money on postsecondary education. At about $100 per course, the cost to families is significantly lower than tuition. Several students have earned 18 credits by high school graduation, more than a full semester of college.
Dual enrollment courses are available across Vermont, a state where 33 percent of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, a figure on par with New England states and exceeding the national average (U.S. Census). Thomas Yahn, director of the Windham Regional Collegiate High School, cited collaboration with Landmark College as a key to forging dual enrollment in the state. “Landmark has been a generous and very involved partner for the last three years,” he said. “Agreements with Landmark were used to construct the Act 77 legislation that was passed by the Vermont Legislature in 2013, making dual enrollment available state-wide.”
The impact of dual enrollment on the lives of students can be far-reaching, according to Yahn. “We want to provide college experience, particularly for our first-generation students,” he said. “The dual enrollment experience may remove academic, social, emotional, and financial barriers which too often prevent students from considering, entering, and succeeding in college.”
Landmark College faculty and staff report that the program has been a success. “Students from the high school are engaged from the first day of class,” said Dorothy Osterholt, associate professor of education at Landmark College. “They have gotten to know college students, kept up with the work, and done very well as a result.” Osterholt pursued teaching a dual enrollment class at Landmark College after her son had a positive experience earning college credit while enrolled in high school. She wanted to open the possibility of dual enrollment to students who learn differently. “I feel that students with LD are sometimes overlooked, and they should have the same opportunities as their peers.”
“We enjoy having the relationship with the community, and it is great to share our teaching practices with high school students who learn differently,” said Christine Arieta, director of first year academic programming. “It gives high school students confidence and demystifies college—it’s a win-win all around.”
Landmark College was the first institution of higher learning to pioneer college-level studies for students with dyslexia. Today, Landmark College is a global leader in integrated teaching methods for students with learning disabilities (including dyslexia), ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The College offers two- and four-year degree options, a graduate-level certificate in universal design with technology integration, and summer programs for students who learn differently. Students, faculty, and professionals from around the world are drawn to Landmark College for its innovative educational model, designed through research and practice to help all students become confident, empowered, and independently successful learners.