School’s out: But what’s next?

By Donna Thoma. Published in the Up North Voice on April 29, 2022

GRAYLING – Parents may be breathing a sigh of relief…their child is graduating! For students, its, “thank goodness that’s over.”

Some students may feel prepared for the future. They have taken all the required coursework for college, have a job or career lined up, or plan to take certification classes toward their goal.

What classes will best meet their future ideals? Will they pursue a career that requires four or more years of college instruction? Does the student want to go into a trade? Kirtland Community College (KCC) offers 39 degrees and certificates. And many are transferable to four-year institutions.

KCC Trustee Roy Spangler said the school has two objectives: The first is to help students become successful human beings; Second is for high school students to be able to make the transition from high school to college and save in costs associated with a four-year institution. 

High school students and their parents should be aware of dual enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) options for their children. Dual enrollment does enable high school students to not only gain the experience of taking a college level class, but it also prepares them for the rigors of college coursework. 

AP classes are part of a nationally recognized college board programs such as the SAT/ACT. About 70 percent of high schools in the US offer AP classes to their students. While approximately 82 percent of US high schools offer dual enrollment. AP classes do not automatically become a college credit.

Classes considered for dual enrollment, may be taken in a variety of ways. They are offered online through the college; as a vocational class online or in person; as well as in their high school classrooms if the school system has contracted with the college.

Community colleges provide insight into college life as well as an avenue to acquire a career certification and associate degree for much less. High schools in Michigan, by law, are obligated to cover the costs of dual enrollment and AP classes with state aid monies. Contact your guidance counselor for more information.

It is important to give students as many tools for success as we can, in this ever-changing world. Many students struggle when transitioning from their home/school environment to that of college and the larger world. 

Success can be difficult. The first-year dropout rate is 30 percent, and that percentage grows to 89 percent for low-income first-generation students. 

Some studies show that only 12 percent of high school graduates may be ready for college. A 2019 survey conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found only 55 percent of high school students felt prepared to enter the working world.

Spangler said students don’t always realize how much harder college is than high school.

“As a high school student, I enrolled in Lansing Community College and took a three-credit class in Natural Science. I thought I was doing OK until just before Christmas. I got my grade – it was a “D” and not transferable to MSU, where I was already accepted.” 

Spangler retook the class in the spring and worked harder. He got a “B” which averaged out with the D and became a C, which was then transferable. The experience taught him that he needed to improve his study habits and pay more attention to details.”

There has always been pressure to increase student readiness for life, as well as for them to be successful in their educational efforts. Not every person is geared toward university learning, however.

Kirtland Community College also provides a wide range of career-oriented courses. Recent graduates of KCC’s Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement program all had jobs lined up or were in process of being employed, according to Spangler. The nursing program also is well recognized and has exceptionally high state board exam pass rates, according to the school. 

New to KCC is the Matt LaFontaine Automotive Technology Center. Matt and his family recently donated $50,000 to KCC to support the automotive program. 

We have become so used to the status quo of how a person is to be educated that we don’t always consider all the alternatives. Attending a community college prior to going on to a university, may be a useful bridge to make high school graduates ready to tackle life as they strive to be productive, successful citizens.