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Denton ISD partners with NCTC, TWU and UNT to offer college
algebra to high school seniors
7/14/06
DENTON —
High school seniors can take college algebra and receive high
school and college credit through a partnership between Denton
Independent School District and North Texas Central College,
University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University.
Called “On
the MARC – Math Advancement and Readiness Collaborative,”
the partnership was formed to encourage students to keep up
their math skills during their senior year and help them perform
better at the college level.
The program starts
in August. Seniors will be able to take college algebra for
both high school and college credit. Seniors can take the
class on their high school campus through NCTC or enroll in
courses on the UNT and TWU campuses.
Tuition costs will
be $216 at NCTC; $219 plus fees for TWU and $421.50 plus fees
at UNT. The college and universities are covering the instructional
expenses so there is no cost to DISD for this project.
“We have
come together to solve a common problem, which is the students’
lack of preparedness for college level math,” said Dr.
Lee Ann Nutt, Provost for NCTC-Corinth Campus.
Research shows
that not having to take math in the senior year of high school
is a primary reason students are not ready for college level
math courses.
“Many college
freshmen are required, then, to enroll in one or more developmental
math courses to improve their skills before they can take
college algebra, a core course for most degree plans,”
Dr. Nutt said.
Denton ISD tested
762 high school juniors enrolled in Algebra II by using a
placement exam developed by TWU. Students who made a qualifying
score were then approved to pursue dual credit courses at
the three area higher education institutions.
If a student did
not qualify for dual credit, he or she can take Algebra III
at the high school in the fall. They may be eligible in the
Spring 2007 semester for a dual math credit course, school
officials said.
“We are very
excited to be able to provide our students with the opportunity
to succeed early in the college experience. The overall purpose
of this partnership was to serve DISD students and we are
accomplishing that with this project,” said Jamie Wilson,
assistant superintendent for academic programs.
The district administrators have worked with college and university
officials throughout this past year, to have the program available
to the 2007 seniors.
“Seeing this
project come together is a dream come true. We had the right
people at the right time tackling the right issue,”
said Dr. Jean Schaake, associate dean of arts and sciences
at UNT and Board of Trustee for DISD.
All three participating
higher education institutions are in the Denton ISD.
“The level
of cooperation between the school district and the higher
education institutions is remarkable. Denton is fortunate
to have an educational system that works together to make
transitions between high school and college as smooth and
successful as possible,” Dr. Nutt said.
To participate
in the program, high school seniors should contact their school
counselors. Beginning Wednesday, July 26, counselors will
be available from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. or by
appointment at each high school.
“TWU is happy
to be part of this wonderful project. I believe that we will
see a great improvement in student performance in math courses
and on math assessments as a result of this partnership,”
said Dr. Don Edwards, associate dean for the College of Arts
and Sciences at TWU.
For additional
information, contact the students’ high school: Denton
High ((940) 369-2000, Guyer High (940) 369-1000, or Ryan High
(940) 369-3000.
###
For Further
Information Contact:
DENTON INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT
COMMUNICIATIONS OFFICE
CONTACT: Sharon Cox (940) 369-0006 or cell (940) 391-3539
TWU
Amanda Simpson
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: asimpson1@twu.edu
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