Stillwater parent asks SPS to consider concurrent class options for SHS

Sep. 21—A Stillwater parent sought Stillwater Public Schools' approval to consider other options for concurrent classes for high school students at the district's Sept. 12 board meeting.

Currently, SHS only approves concurrent classes with Oklahoma State University and Northern Oklahoma College.

Christy Harland has been an educator for 20 years, with 13 years in a virtual setting. Her twin children are high school juniors, and Harland decided to find a more affordable path for concurrent classes. Her oldest daughter's tuition was a challenge, and she needed other options.

"I started researching different choices ... trying to determine what was the best fit for my kids," Harland said.

She found Mid-America Christian University in Edmond, and friends told her this option had worked well for them. As she dug deeper, she said the biggest plus was that MACU came highly recommended by her friends.

MACU's tuition per concurrent class is $175. That's one-third of NOC's tuition per class, Harland said. Although OSU's concurrent classes are basically free, its online fees can add up to more than $300 per class, which Harland said she found out with her oldest daughter three years ago.

Her children applied to MACU and were accepted, but when she spoke with SPS administrators, she found that the only choices currently available were concurrent classes at OSU and NOC.

"I felt like this was better," Harland said. "I am putting two kids in college, so the finances was a big piece, too, if you can do it cheaper. And they're also accredited $2,000 scholarship for up to four years if they attend there after."

Harland chose MACU based mainly on concurrent class choices, and she wanted to share her research with the school board.

"I just felt like ... they just needed some more facts," Harland said. "Sometimes we don't go explore something until somebody brings it to our attention. I was just bringing facts and information to help support new options and new opportunities for my own children and for the kids of Stillwater."

SPS policy states that students may attend NOC or OSU, affirmed Janet Vinson, SPS assistant superintendent of educational services.

"However, state law allows students to take any class online or in person through a college up to 19 credit hours (with high school courses included), but they will not be counted for dual credit," Vinson said.

Vinson said SPS would have to do a crosswalk for every course every student wished to take from every institution requests between the competencies for the college course and the Oklahoma Academic Standards for the correlating course.

For example, senior English credit requires both Comp I and II from NOC or OSU.

"The administration and partnership we have established with NOC and OSU permits excellent communication regarding dropping and adding classes, eligibility and graduation credits to prevent any student from falling through the cracks — resulting in a gap of credits required to graduate in the state of Oklahoma," Vinson said. "OSU has gone to great lengths to work with us and are provided free with no fees and no tuition."

Harland said online options are expanding. Many colleges allow high school students — if the college where they take concurrent classes is accredited — to transfer their credits to them.

Some of the accredited colleges Harland researched included The University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, Rose State College and Langston University. Harland found many others that could be a consideration.

"They all look a little bit different, but ultimately, we're getting our kids to the same destination, and that's furthering their education," Harland said.

She said class sizes, fees and possible scholarships are all factors to consider when choosing concurrent classes.

"Every child is different, and let's give ... some choices, since other districts in the state are giving their students choices," Harland said. "I wanted to see if we could revisit this and give the Stillwater students the same opportunities as many of the other students in the state of Oklahoma."

Vinson said SPS helps all students that qualify academically to take free courses, thanks to OSU.

"For those not quite ready for Division I college, NOC offers smaller class sizes and individualized help, and we have spent many years developing a relationship, processes and proximity with both colleges that allows our staff to support the students' success," she said. "These are offered tuition free with only fees charged."

She said SPS is working on a plan to eliminate the fees for families and that the board's focus is on staffing every classroom with a highly qualified teacher within budgetary constraints.

"This being said, managing multitudes of college agreements and guaranteeing every student is on track in each of these to get course credit to graduate, especially when colleges are not always open to providing academic information due to FERPA laws, would take a significant increase in staffing," Vinson said.

MACU, like most colleges, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which evaluates its institutions by its Criteria for Accreditation — a set of standards that institutions must meet to receive or maintain accredited status.

"Because we have that, then we should be able to rest assured that they are what we need and allow our kids that opportunity. I feel like that will open a door to allowing more kids ... that maybe wouldn't have tried it," Harland said. "I just happen to be an educator so that gives me an insight that most don't have. Parents may know 'this is not really working or I wish there were other options,' but that's not their area of study so they don't really know the protocol ... so that's why we can help each other."

Harland said she was there to "support, encourage and equip" the school district — and perhaps pave the way for future high school students.

"It would benefit the school, too, if we would allow the kids to do this," Harland said. "I really feel like it's a win for all of us."