Friday, January 23, 2004
College Achievement Program
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Thomas Rueger graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1998, and while a high school student he took an English class as part of the University of Southern Indiana Collegiate Achievement Program (CAP). By taking the CAP class, Rueger received high school as well as college credit for the class. The English class transferred as college credit when he enrolled at St. John’s University in New York City. He now holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Rueger said the benefits of taking the CAP class were better preparation for college, and college credit that was earned before he started the freshman year. When asked if he would recommend the class to others, he said, “Absolutely! The dual credit classes are good because of the college experience you get.” Rueger is currently a police officer for the Mt. Vernon Police Department and a substitute teacher at Mt. Vernon High School. He also is the assistant swim coach, assistant tennis coach, and has just been elected to the Mt. Vernon City Council. Brandon Piper is currently a senior at Central High School. He has been in honors classes since the second grade. He enrolled in two CAP classes, AP language and composition and biology. He said the classes are more challenging than some of his previous classes, but “not boring or overwhelming. The classes are a lot of work. If you want a challenge, you should take the class,” he added. Piper said the CAP classes have helped improve his writing, thinking, and composition skills. Piper is currently involved in concert choir, Teen Power, German club, drama, student council, and speech. Piper said the classes will be very beneficial when he begins college next year. He plans to go to a private institution to pursue a degree in music or theater. CAP is a cooperative program between USI and participating high schools. The program allows high school junior and senior students to take regular college courses in their own high schools at a reduced rate of tuition. The courses are taught by high school faculty who are trained in special workshops by USI faculty members. Selection of students for the CAP program is based on regular USI admission standards. Students who have completed the regular secondary school curriculum through the tenth grade are eligible to enroll in the courses. An average of 300 students participate in the CAP program each year, according to Ginger Ramsden, manager of Family, School and Children’s programs at USI. Ramsden said, “The CAP program gives students the opportunity to experience college-level work at their high school. They work hard to get a good grade on college transcripts.” Ramsden said the classes are a benefit to students because the credits transfer to colleges all over the country. The classes give high school and USI faculty an opportunity to collaborate with each other for a successful program. Currently area high schools in Gibson, Posey, and Vanderburgh counties participate in the CAP program. For more information about the CAP program, contact Ginger Ramsden, 812/464-1989 or gramsden@usi.edu. |
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