North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley announced on May 22, 2006, a $40,000 planning grant to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s “iSchool” for the creation of the state’s first virtual Learn and Earn early college high school. iSchool is a concurrent, dual credit program for juniors and seniors. Students earn both high school and college credit. Learn and Earn schools provide students with an opportunity to graduate in five years with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree or two years of college credit.
“… we are working to bring a college education and high-skilled training within reach of all students across the state and to establish a talented workforce that will attract new and growing industries to North Carolina.”
North Carolina has opened 13 Learn and Earn early college high schools.
During academic year 2005-2006, 888 North Carolina high school students from 21 high schools were enrolled in 1,752 iSchool courses, and 92 percent of students reported that they successfully transferred the online courses for college credit.
It’s good to see that North Carolina continues its centuries old vision of establishing educational programs others adapt to their settings. Congratulations to those who have made these new programs possible through their insight and effort.
Next, will you move to Mobile PCs vs. desktops in order to encourage high quality independent learning? Even with best political and school administrators’ efforts, it seems that technology stays ahead of the schooling practices for supporting student learning. I wonder if we restrict learning by thinking we must control access through schooling?