AET News and Events

Clearview, Drexel 'engineer' a pact, noted in a Gloucester County (N.J.) Times story, October 7

HARRISON TWP. -- Clearview High School juniors and seniors taking engineering technology courses will have an opportunity to earn college credits at Drexel University, according to an agreement signed earlier this week.

Four upper level engineering/technology courses already offered at the high school have been tweaked to fit with similar courses offered at the Philadelphia-based university, giving students here the opportunity to earn credit both for high school graduation and gain a head start on college.

"The courses are as rigorous as they would be on the college level," said Pat Carroll, school superintendent. "College credit is certainly a benefit since they are already doing the work on that level."

Clearview students taking college-level courses and earning credits is nothing new -- dozens of students are enrolled in classes at Gloucester County College and earning dual credits toward college and high school graduation in advanced placement classes.

What makes the one-year deal with Drexel particularly special, according to district Curriculum Supervisor Diane Cummins, is that it opens up opportunities for other similar collaborations.

"It really says something to get a school as prestigious as Drexel University to notice what we're offering students and have them say it merits college credit," Cummins said.

The courses include Experiences in Technology, Energy Power & Transportation Technology, Computer Aided Drafting and Engineering Drafting. The course credit, according to the agreement, are transferable to Drexel's Goodwin College of Professional Studies, which offers the Applied Engineering Technology (AET) program. At $270 per credit hour and an additional fee of $100, each course will cost $910 apiece.

Melissa Knight, AET program manager, said the agreement is the first of its kind for the program. Drexel has a contract with the Philadelphia School District that enables high school students to take college-level courses at the West Philadelphia campus.

Knight said faculty reviewed the course syllabus, homework assignments and output of previous engineering technology courses offered at Clearview before determining that the classes were on par with those offered in the AET program.

"Our instructors will continue to be in touch with (Clearview) to make sure the program is on track," Knight said, noting that students will have access to the university's library and athletic facilities and will also be able to participate in various competitions and projects.

"This program is really designed to spark or advance the interest of students in technology," Knight said. "It's also going to help the students compete when they are applying for college because they will already have a Drexel transcript."

Encouraging high school students to work toward college credits in high school is one of several options encouraged through the state Department of Education's 12th Grade Option program started in 2002. The program encourages high schools to offer community service, internships and college courses as alternatives to traditional senior year course work. Last fall, 218 Gloucester County high school students took courses at area two-year colleges.

Rowan University offers dual-credit opportunities to students at Glassboro High School, but currently does not have a program like the one now being offered by Drexel.

Rowan, however, does have partnerships with Salem County Arts, Science and Technology High School and Williamstown High School that enable students who successfully complete engineering programs at those schools to automatically land a seat in Rowan's engineering college.

By Matthew Ralph

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