Seniors to Sophomores

• Belmont County students to benefit from new program


BELMONT COUNTY high school seniors now can earn college credit while finishing high school.

Belmont Technical College and Ohio University Eastern Campus, in partnership with the Belmont-Harrison Vocational School District and the Belmont Educational Service Center, were awarded a $100,000 planning grant from the Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio Department of Education to launch Gov. Ted Strickland’s new program for high school students, Seniors to Sophomores.

In his 2008 State of the State address, Strickland announced the new initiative. It’s goal, he said, is ‘‘to raise the aspirations of all students, to challenge students who might feel disengaged from their high school studies, and to help students who want to accelerate their college education.’’

Seniors to Sophomores is a dual enrollment program offered to academically qualified high school seniors who will have the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit. Those who qualify based on the grant’s criteria can attend college full-time at either Belmont Technical College or Ohio University Eastern Campus. Upon successful completion, students will graduate with a high school diploma, earn one year of college credit and start college as a sophomore. The majority of the grant is earmarked for college tuition, fees and books. The balance of the funds will be used to plan for sustainability of the program and student advisement.

‘‘High school seniors will have an opportunity to spend their senior year at their high school or on a University System of Ohio college campus,’’ according to Rebecca J. Kurtz, vice president of Learning and Student Success, BTC. ‘‘Belmont Technical College is pleased to offer additional options for higher education to students in the Upper Ohio Valley.’’

‘‘We’re very excited to be able to offer this program to our students,’’ said Chuck Bizzari, superintendent of the vocational district. ‘‘We are fortunate to have received this grant and are hopeful that students in the next year’s senior class will take advantage of this opportunity.’’

Rich Greenlee, interim dean of OUE, said, ‘‘Ohio University Eastern is pleased to be a part of a program that enables more students in the valley to have access to higher education, creating opportunities for them and their families.’’

‘‘I believe that by engaging the leadership within the Belmont County schools, Belmont Technical College and Ohio University Eastern Campus, we will be able to provide a wonderful, collaborative opportunity for our students,’’ said Mike Crawford, superintendent of the county service center. ‘‘The Belmont County Educational Service Center is very pleased to be involved with this initiative.’’

Students who participate will complete a student success orientation at the selected college and will receive advising and counseling from both the high school and college staff. Parents and students will meet several times during the year for evaluation of the program to ensure student needs have been met.

This unique relationship allows opportunities for all Belmont County school districts to participate: Barnesville, Belmont-Harrison Vocational, Bellaire, Bridgeport, Martins Ferry, Shadyside, St. Clairsville-Richland and Union Local. Twenty students will be selected as part of the Early Adopters’ cohort.