STUDENTS EXCEL WITH ARMSTRONG-RINGSTED/IOWA LAKES PARTNERSHIPS

The vision of former Armstrong-Ringsted (A-R) Superintendent Robert O’Meara that would allow students to have access to the instructors and programs at Iowa Lakes still impacts education in northwest Iowa. The Career Academy programs that were created have expanded from an initial offering of six programs and 14 students to include 11 programs and over 50 students from eight schools.

The partnerships developed between Armstrong-Ringsted Community Schools and Iowa Lakes Community College remain strong today.

"We are very happy to be a part of the Iowa Lakes Community College family," said Joel Semprini, Armstrong-Ringsted High School Principal. "Our 28E Agreements with the college give both our staff and students an opportunity to be involved in a rigorous selection of classes utilizing the dual credit option."

Benefits of these partnerships are appreciated by students such as recent A-R graduate Jordan Hansen. He was a student in the Ag Production Career Academy and plans a career in Wildlife & Fishery Biology.

"All the classes I took in the Career Academy will transfer and give me about one semester of credit." commented Hansen. "I thought I knew a lot about beef until I enrolled in the class. The instructors and other students made the class fun while we learned a lot."

College credit classes are also available to students through a wide variety of delivery media. Postsecondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) classes (which are traditionally college transfer classes) are available via the Iowa Communication Network (ICN), Iowa Lakes Online Consortium and by attending an Iowa Lakes campus. All college level classes are designed to supplement and expand the regular class offerings of the high school. They do no replace classes or instructional staff at the high school.

Students may receive simultaneous credit through enrollment in College Prep and Tech Prep college level classes offered at their own school and taught by school district instructors. These instructors meet the same qualifications as their college colleagues and use the same curriculum and textbooks. Close cooperation and communication between high school and college instructors is a key element in the success of the class. Students are able to participate in both college transfer and college career and technical classes.

Hansen shares this advice for high school students.

"I would recommend that high school students get the required classes completed as soon as possible to allow them to take classes of their choice later in school." he said.

Armstrong-Ringsted students enrolled in postsecondary classes for the spring semester of 2007 totaled nearly 70 students. Postsecondary classes are open to junior and senior students with the approval of their local school. The local school district pays tuition, fees and textbook costs for those students who successfully complete the classes.

Semprini continued, "We teach these dual credit options during zero hour and during our regularly scheduled classes. Our 28E Agreements also offer our vocational students the opportunity to go to the Iowa Lakes Community College Campus through their Career Academy and get dual credit for a plethora of vocational experiences. Students at Armstrong-Ringsted Community Schools have also utilized a number of PSEO offerings with dual credit options online through Iowa Lakes Community College."

Every sophomore student at A-R is assessed to determine if their reading, writing, and math skills are suitable for enrolling in college level courses. Course work is available to assist these students to improve their skills.

These offerings are an example of how the Armstrong-Ringsted High School has partnered with Iowa Lakes Community College to provide expanded enrollment opportunities for the students. Local school districts are able to meet the budget challenges while still providing a relevant and rigorous curriculum for their students.

"Armstrong-Ringsted Community Schools are very happy with their arrangements with Iowa Lakes Community College and hope to continue the relationship for many years to come." concluded Semprini.

Anyone desiring more information regarding postsecondary enrollment and class offerings may contact Matt Berninghaus at Armstrong-Ringsted High School (712) 868-3542 or Brian Campbell at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg (712) 852-5240.