Education experts think the time is right to get more Oklahoma high school students taking introductory college classes.
Experts say concurrent enrollment makes it more likely students will earn a degree. State and local education officials gathered in Tulsa Tuesday to talk about how to increase Oklahoma’s concurrent enrollment numbers.
Schusterman Foundation Co-chair Stacy Schusterman said Oklahoma has some catching up to do when it comes to offering high school juniors and seniors free college courses.
"For instance, in Utah, one-third of all juniors and seniors are enrolled in free concurrent enrollment courses, whereas in Oklahoma, we're serving approximately 7 percent," Schusterman said.
There are, however, a few things standing in the way of increasing the state's concurrent enrollment rate. State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said with a severe teacher shortage, Oklahoma schools are cutting classes that round out students’ education to focus only on required material.
"And what is required is not going to be enough to really propel students forward and prepare them for concurrent enrollment or for college or for that career path," Hofmeister said.
Adam Lowe with the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships said Oklahoma needs to keep in mind its high schools with fewer than 500 students while these plans are made.
"Working on specific strategies that address the needs of small schools — particularly rural schools, particularly tribal schools in this state — I think, are very critical considerations as we move forward," Lowe said.
About 80 percent of Oklahoma public schools have 500 or fewer students enrolled.
