Student graduates from Excelsior two weeks before he graduates from High School

Paul Meyering: Already a step ahead

 

...and there was an article in the SF Chronicle a day or two about a 97-year-old lady who is getting her high school diploma, a mere 83 years after she dropped out. She's probably logged in here right now to help decide between Excelsior and Edison.

 

Thanks Oxpecker,

Paul Meyering earned an associate of science degree. There are many high schools that will allow a student to earn an associates degree while they are still in high school (usually through dual enrollment, or as part of the hs diploma in technical studies in Utah). However, very few students actually take the opportunity to do so. The article states that this student only achieved b's and c's, but I doubt this glossing tells the whole tale. For those who found high school, and all the feet dragging and bureaucracy to their liking, you will probably not understand this. But for those who, at a relatively young age, were frustrated with the slow pace and inanity, perhaps you could chime in? High School is less a learning environment, than a social test tube. In my time there, the issue was not if we knew anything and could think it out, it was if we knew what the teachers thought we should know, and could show it by kowtowing to their statements of how they thought.

If I could say one thing to this young man, it would be, "do not limit yourself to (his self proscribed, perhaps there is a reason for this?) a lowgrade technical school".

Tony

...and I have never liked the relatively few teachers I have had that felt themselves inferior to one or more of their students. NEVER!!

 

Tony,

The dual and early enrolment programs are certainly a blessing for many aspiring students seeking additional intellectual challenge that extends beyond the prescribed pace dictated by traditional high school models.

My son was fortunate enough to leverage such a program. Indeed, he graduated in 2002 with an AA degree from a local community college several weeks before High School. Since then, he has attended both an online school (Touro University) and a local college (International College). This spring, he graduated with a Bachelors in Computer Science from TUI and a Bachelors in Business Management from IC, and he is only 18.

http://news-press.com/news/bonita/p_030602intlgrad.html (2003)

http://www.naplesnews.com/03/06/naples/d915949a.htm (2003)

http://www.4what.com/nbc_james_esch.htm (2002)

Although it probably sounds like I'm boasting (ok, I'm a way too proud dad too), my intent is to illustrate the wonderful educational opportunities that we have available to us today and the outcomes that are possible. Today, we can learn at our own pace--anytime and anywhere.

These learning opportunities can benefit us at virtually any stage of our lives and careers. For example, I put my education on hold for nearly 20 years before finding an online degree program (Touro University) that perfectly fit my busy work and personal requirements. Several years later (with a lot of hard work), I finally accomplished a major life goal of completing a regionally accredited Ph.D. I thought it was never possible 20 years ago.

No longer is education a one-size-fits-all proposition. Today, we can find educational and degree programs that fit us as individuals.

 

dual enrollment etc.

I agree. With the advent of dual enrollment there are many who fly through their degrees while in high school. Also, with the explosion in homeschooling that has also contributed. Some of these dual enrollment programs were originally developed because of homeschoolers. In my own city (Miami) My wife and I, and another homeschooling mom worked closely with a College dean to hammer out all the process for dual enrollment and also the incorporation of speedy avenues for homeschoolers to enroll and take classes. This same dean told me that he loved two kinds of students. If he could simply get more of two kinds of students he would be extremely happy. Those are adult learners and homeschoolers. The other he could do without. He felt they were simply babysitting children with them.

Lots of homeschoolers are substituting their high school classes for college level courses. One kid I knew practically finished his bachelors degree in engineering while in high school. In the same amount of time after high school, he did his Masters and then went on to his Ph.D. work. I think he did his Ph.D. before age 24.

 

I was able to finish a B.A. from Regents/Excelsior at age 17, based almost entirely on exams (which brought in 114 of the 123 semester hours). My success at the exams--and my freedom to start early--can both be credited to some extent to my homeschooling background. That's really small potatoes, though; I know one homeschooler who started college at 15, finished his brick-and-mortar bachelor's at 18, and is now a third-year medical student at 21.


Cheers,

 

Wow this is amazing! I have a 6 year old who is very smart. Do you think I should get him started soon?

Seriously this is amazing. In high school I was too busy playing ball, chasing girls, and partying. Now this makes me think even more if only I would have.