FSISD, Midland College WRTCC pair for superior dual credit status

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FSISD, Midland College WRTCC pair for superior dual credit status

Thu, 02/11/2021 - 11:41
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When it comes to dual crediting in the state of Texas, students that attend Fort Stockton High School are far above their peers around the state.

A big reason why?

FSISD partners with Midland College Williams Regional Technical Training Center in Fort Stockton give students an affordable opportunity to succeed immediately in a variety of ways after graduation.

And the students are sure to take advantage.

In 2018-2019, 53.9 percent of annual graduates took a dual credit course compared to 23.1 percent in the state of Texas.

Andres Madrid, Midland College WRTTC Student Recruiter/Academic Advisor, explained that there are multiple avenues a high school student can take, and even earn a certificate by a time they graduate.

The college offers a variety of technical courses to no cost to FSISD students due to the district covering the cost for those courses.

Madrid explained the college’s technical programs and opportunity students have at WRTTC.

“The certificates include the CNA for pharmacy tech, business administration clerk, energy technician level 17 he said. “The students that comes to us at the high school level are tied to their endorsement. Let’s say a student’s endorsement is in STEM and they’re wanting to do more in the medical field. The endorsement at the high school matches up with the certificate here for either the pharmacy tech or wanted to go into a CNA in the nursing field. So that’s how they combine. The high school gets their endorsement requirement for graduation and allows the students to walk away with a certificate for the work force.”

Another route a high school student can go is taking academic courses, which is approximately 25 percent of the cost a student will have to pay if they take the course after high school.

High school students are charged only $98 per academic course at Midland College compared to $400 dollars after graduation.

Madrid said that the academic courses will transfer to four-year colleges around the state of Texas whether it be part of the common core that the state sets forth or an elective.

“Here in Texas there is a core curriculum that they have decided is universal in the state of Texas. We tell a student if you’re sure you’re going to stay here, then take it. If you want to go to California, don’t take it. It’s only for Texas colleges,” he said. “The academic classes ought to transfer to other colleges in the state based on the common core that state provides.”

One of the high school students who is taking advantage of Midland College WRTTC is junior Ezekiel Luna.

When the Fort Stockton native was a freshman, his mom told him about the program and since has taken two classes and is currently in his third dual credit course.

“She told me I have the option to do it and would like me to do it. I saw they had business (courses) and stuff like that so I figured it’s something I could do to help me in the future;’ he said.

Luna, who hopes to go into chemical or biomedical engineering after college, said the experience at Midland College in Fort Stockton has been nothing but a quality learning experience.

“I think they’re (teachers) laid back and relaxed, but still get one on one with you. If anything, you get a little bit more of an opportunity with them. I learn better. I do get more one-on-one time here. I feel less afraid to ask if I do need help,” Luna said.

Maite Arroyo is another high school student who has taken multiple courses at Midland College WRTTC. The senior is currently in her fourth class at the college. Arroyo has taken business English, business math, history, and is now in a preliminary tech class.

The Fort Stockton native is currently considering getting a business certificate at WRTTC with hopes of owning her own coffee shop one day in Fort Stockton.

Arroyo said that her experience at Midland College WRTTC has been a valuable one.

“It challenges me and it gives me an award for challenging myself. It gives me an extra credit,” Arroyo said. “I’d say I get more one-on-one time with teachers, especially for business. My teacher, she’s always open to questions and says if we need anything, text her. She’s really helpful.”

The senior plans to take her remaining basic courses at Midland College in Fort Stockton after graduation before attending the The Art Institute of San Antonio.