Triple-credit new option for students
How some classes could save you money
November 9, 2015
Taking certain classes could save you money now, and triple credit is giving students new opportunities and saving them money.
That’s exactly what Angie Kalwies ‘16 is doing this year. Kalwies takes a class at the Kirkwood Regional Center called Arts and Science Academy. The class counts for her senior English and gives her credits for both Kirkwood and the University of Iowa.
“If you’re planning to go to Iowa, it’s great,” Kalwies said. Though it takes two periods of time, she says it’s worth it.
Assistant Principal Colby Miller agrees. “We want to expand opportunities early on in their careers, (so) they haven’t wasted thousands of dollars on courses,” said Miller. Miller said that these classes at the Kirkwood Regional Center will give students a college feel while not financially penalizing them.
The most recently piloted class for triple credit is Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Innovator, which was piloted with a test group of 12 students at the Belin Blank center this summer. This year there are 15 students in the class. Dominic Audia, a Principal of Engineering teacher at West, is helping develop curriculum for the class. “Opportunity to save money and take a cutting edge class.” said Audia when asked about the benefits of triple-credit. However, because the classes are taught at the Kirkwood regional center, the classes are longer. Since it takes roughly two periods, STEM Innovator goes from 7:30 to 9:30 am. West does try to provide transportation to and from the Regional Center for students who take classes there.
Though, for students leaving Iowa City for other colleges when they graduate West, their credit might be useless. Most of the time, students who take a triple credit class can only use them at Kirkwood or the UI. For students who want to go elsewhere, the credits they earned are up in the air. If their credit is used or not it is up to the individual university. For now, any student that’s planning to go to the University of Iowa or Kirkwood can take classes that will save them some cash.
Photos used from Creative Commons