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High school courses qualify for college credit

By Special to the Ledger
Published: July 21, 2010

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Some high school career technical preparation classes may count toward college credit at no cost to students.

Several area high schools were represented at a recent meeting with LBW Community College to discuss a local articulation agreement for high school courses.

“This meeting brought secondary career technical and postsecondary welding instructors together to discuss the requirements for articulated courses,” said Peggy Linton, LBWCC dean of instruction.

Articulation agreements establish quality assurance criteria that, if provided at the high school level, will allow students to obtain college credit for their high school classes upon admission to LBWCC.

According to state guidelines, high school courses must be certified under the Alabama State Department of Education Business and Industry Certification standard.

Teachers of the high school courses must also be certified by the Alabama State Board of Education to teach the course for the student to get college credit, and the student must earn a grade of “B” or higher.

LBWCC has local articulation agreements for two business technology applications courses, automotive engine repair and seven welding courses.

Attending the meeting with Dean Linton and LBWCC Welding Instructor David Brawner were Anthony Mikel of Andalusia High School; Tracy Weaver of Opp High School; Chris Caldwell of Pleasant Home High School; Ricky Bass of Straughn High School and David Clark of Red Level High School.

Students can earn as much as three college credits for each course included in the agreement, said Linton.

“This provides students an opportunity to work toward their college technical career goals at no cost while still in high school. Then, when they enroll at LBWCC, they begin with college credits already established.”

LBWCC also participates in a statewide articulation agreement covering 31 additional high school technical preparation courses in air conditioning and refrigeration, automotive mechanics, child development, computer science, cosmetology, drafting and design technology, industrial electronics and office administration.

For more information, call 334-222-6591 or 493-5337.