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July 11, 2005

Calhoun Community College's
Early College Enrollment Program
Allows High School Students to
Pursue Technical Degrees with Free Tuition

Local high school students now have an opportunity to work toward a technical college degree while completing their high school graduation requirements with free college tuition by enrolling in the Early College Enrollment Plan (ECEP) at Calhoun Community College. The program, which was piloted last year at Calhoun and four other two-year colleges in Alabama, is a partnership between The Alabama College System and the state’s Department of Education.

Last year, six students from area high schools enrolled in Calhoun’s ECEP program, including Rosalio Mendoza, an incoming freshman at the college this fall who is enrolling in Calhoun’s Aerospace Technology program.

Students in their junior or senior year in high school, have passed the Alabama High School Graduation Exam, have a grade point average of at least 2.5, and are interested in enrolling in a technical college degree program are eligible. Students accepted into the program will take all of their classes at Calhoun—both the courses needed to graduate from high school and the technical courses in their degree program.

The tuition is covered by the college and the respective K-12 school system. The student can still participate in sports and other extracurricular high school activities, graduate with their senior class, and earn a technical college degree at the same time. There are many technical degree options at Calhoun in which a student may enroll, including aerospace technology, advanced electronics manufacturing, machine tool technology, computer-assisted design and cosmetology and barbering. Graduates of technical degree programs can expect to earn at least 24% more than workers with only a high school diploma, and some high demand technical fields in Alabama have starting wages nearing $20 per hour.

“This is a great benefit for students who want to get ahead and move into the workforce quickly with a technical degree. Qualified and motivated students can, in effect, graduate from high school and be very close to completing a high demand technical degree with no tuition burden on their families,” said Alabama College System Chancellor Roy Johnson.

During its pilot year, the ECEP program began with a small number of students with great success. “Close communication among the high school, the student and his or her parents, and the advisors at the college give students the support they need to succeed,” commented Calhoun President Marilyn Beck.

This year, the State Board of Education expanded the program to allow 240 students to participate state-wide. Local school systems can choose to participate. The slots are quickly filling, and some school systems are taking full advantage. Parents and students interested in Calhoun’s ECEP program should contact Dr. Jerry Armor, Dual Enrollment and ECEP director at 256/306-2746 and their school superintendent. See ECEP page.

Coverage of this release:

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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