May 7, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (5/05/15) - Marshall High School and East Texas Baptist University continue to work together in providing high school students with options to receive dual credit hours. The dual credit agreement between MHS and ETBU, which started 17 years ago, allows junior and senior high students to enroll in ETBU courses and simultaneously earn college and high school credit for the course.
This fall, MHS AP Calculus students will be given the option of taking AP Calculus as a dual/concurrent enrollment with ETBU's Math 2301, Calculus I. Then in the spring they will take Math 2302, Calculus II. These concurrently enrolled students, upon successful completion of the ETBU classes, will earn three college calculus credits each semester. During the spring semester of 2016, students will take the AP Calculus Examination with the potential of receiving additional college mathematics credit. The classes will be taught at Marshall High School.
Dr. Robin McClaran, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at ETBU, will co-teach AP-Calculus with MHS Math teacher Amanda Skinner.
Marshall High School Principal Tina Brown said, "Two great instructors with a singular goal equals one great opportunity for MHS students."
"In many ways the proposed dual enrollment structure for AP Calculus/Math 2301-2302 is the same as it has always been. The primary difference is now there would be two instructors," said Dr. McClaran.
Prior to completing her doctorate from the University of Kentucky in 2013, Dr. McClaran taught the AP Calculus and ETBU calculus classes as part of the MHS dual enrollment program for 14 years. Dr. McClaran left MHS in 2012 to join the ETBU mathematics faculty fulltime. She was able to teach the dual credit hour class while at MHS because she had the credentials required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, namely a master's degree with at least 18 graduate hours in mathematics, qualifying her to teach college courses.
According to Dr. McClaran, AP Calculus students have done very well. "Over a 14 year period, 90% of the AP Calculus students achieved a passing score sufficient to be awarded up to six hours of college calculus credit," said the former chair of the MHS Department of Mathematics.
"The dual credit calculus option available to students through the existing AP Calculus class at MHS has been beneficial to many students over the years," remarked Dr. McClaran. "I am pleased to be a part of the dual credit calculus program again and to have the opportunity to teach MHS students."
ETBU also offers a variety dual enrollment classes among its seven schools of instruction. Marshall High students can take dual credit classes on campus in biology, English, kinesiology, mathematics, speech, psychology, religion and geography. The cost for dual enrollment classes is $100 per credit hour or $300 per three hour course.
"Working with Marshall ISD to prepare students for college is one of our most valuable partnerships and helps both institutions fulfill their mission," remarked ETBU Assistant Provost Dr. Tommy Sanders.
For information on dual enrollment classes contact the ETBU Office of Admissions at 903.923.2008.