Joe Nathan Column -- Cambridge-Isanti and Braham area parents and students really should check out what Mitch Clausen, C-I High School principal recently called a “great opportunity”: the chance for local students to earn up to two years of college credit, while they are still in high school.

C-I and Braham High Schools have responded constructively to Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (which allows high school juniors and seniors to take courses for free on college campuses).  Taking several of the approximately 15 college – level courses offered at C-I High School or the three college level courses at Braham means that students can stay in the building, avoid driving, and literally save themselves and their families thousands of dollars in higher education costs.

Roger Jansen, Braham High School principal described these college level offered in high schools are “a good deal and a helpful challenge” for students, and something he hopes to expand.

We’ve heard about rising health care costs. Unfortunately, higher education costs also are increasing rapidly. The causes are complex, and beyond the scope of today’s column. The College Board, which runs the national “Advanced Placement” course program, and some college entrance tests, recently noted that the

• Average private college costs $26,273 this year (which is up 4.4% from last year).

• Average four-year public college/university costs $7,020 this year, (up 6.5%)

• Two-year public colleges/universities cost $2,544 this year (up 7.3% from last year).

One of the best ways for students and families to deal with this is to take dual enrollment courses that Cambridge-Isanti or Braham offer. These include both Advanced Placement and College in the Schools courses. Think about getting one - two years of college – free!

Center for School Change staff Sheena Thao and Jasmine Blanks found and have posted on our Web site what scores on the final examination high school students have to earn, in order to obtain college credit at Minnesota and Wisconsin colleges and universities. It’s found at http://www.centerforschoolchange.org

So students have to not only take but also work hard in these challenging courses. Many high school students decide to take less difficult courses. They are in for a double shock.

First is the cost of college (mentioned above). Second is the fact that they may have to take remedial courses in college. These cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, but don’t count toward graduation. A student can earn and A or B in some high school courses, and still need to take remedial courses on entering college.

As I’ve written several times, more than one-third of the Minnesota public high school public students who entered our state’s public colleges and universities, 2003-2006, had to take at least one remedial course.

So it pays – doubly – to take and work hard in challenging, college level courses that Cambridge-Isanti and Braham High School offer.

Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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