Commentary; Posted: 2/21/07
PSEO opportunities a good option for many students
Joe Nathan
Education Columnist
Susan, Sharon, Amanda, Daniel and David want Forest Lake families, along with junior and senior high school students to know: As students begin to think about next fall, “It’s time to check out Post-Secondary Educational Options (PSEO)”. Places like Anoka Ramsey, Century, Pine Tech, the University of Minnesota, or on-line courses from Bethel or the UM/Morris offer enormous opportunities.
Since 1985, Minnesota high school juniors and seniors can take free college courses, full or part time.
That means free tuition, books and lab fees.
Research by our Center concluded that given the chance, 90 percent of participants would again choose PSEO.
Students have to meet standards, generally being in the top one-third of their junior class, or the top half of their senior class, for MnSCU institutions.
Susan spoke for many PSEO students when she wrote, “I wanted to take higher level classes. At my high school we don’t have as many AP classes as other schools.”
Among other courses, she’s taken Intro to Microeconomics, Intermediate Spanish, and University Writing: Public Issues.
Participating in PSEO doesn’t mean ending contact with Susan’s high school.
“I didn’t want to do PSEO and feel like a college student. I... need to be a part of the “senior life.” I was captain of the girls’ volleyball team, Vice-President of NHS, in peer leadership and senior class committee. I’m a senior at high school taking college classes.”
Daniel decided to participate in PSEO because, “I wanted to be heavily challenged in math courses.”
He calls PSEO “a fantastic opportunity to take college courses and learn a lot.”
David, 17, has taken Calc 2, Bible: Context and Interpretation, and Intro to GLBT Studies.
“I didn’t feel challenged at my high school, so by taking classes at the U, I’m keeping myself interested in my studies...I find it really amusing that even though I’m only 17, I am often mistaken for a college junior.”
Sharon splits her time between high school and the University of Minnesota.
Among other courses she is taking Abnormal Psychology (“Since I took AP Psychology as a junior and wanted to continue psychology)” and Accelerated Beginning Modern Chinese.
“I felt somewhat restricted in the classes my high school had to offer.
“I also believe that preparation is the best way to avoid stress, and my involvement in the PSEO program is certainly a way to prepare me for education and life beyond high school.”
Amanda 17, felt “school was lacking the environment I wanted to be in. The U of M is an ideal environment for me: the rush of the Twin Cities gets me going, and the diverse student groups and students/professors on campus.”
She’s taken Political Science, Karate, Pre-Calculus and Physics.
PSEO is not for everyone. Some students prefer to stay full time in their high school.
But you can stay connected, and participate in high school sports, drama, debate, etc. and do PSEO – even under the proposed new high school league’s transfer rule.
More information about PSEO courses is available from colleges, universities or the CSC website – www.centerforschoolchange.org
For those looking for a different environment, and more challenge, PSEO is a great gift from the Minnesota Legislature.
Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota jnathan@hhh.umn.edu.
Forest Lake Times
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