.By Kay M Roth
Teenagers usually spend four years in high school honing their skills and preparing for college. At Scio High School, that isn’t always the case. PACE allows students who meet the criteria to attend college classes while still on the high school rolls.
PACE (Promoting Accelerated College Entry) helps Scio students enter the world of college earlier, explore their career paths, and learn how to become successful college students. All of this while still able to rely on high school resources. With the opportunity to become a college student while remaining on the high school rolls, Scio students do not pay for their tuition or books. Even transportation is provided. Overall, it is a real win win situation for the students and their parents.
According to Gary Tempel, the creator of PACE, the program which began in 2004 has a multitude of purposes. An incentive to excel in the lower grades prepares students to achieve at the high school level.
While studying how to help students excel at the high school level, Tempel said there was a sense that high graduates' abilities were on the decline from decades earlier and that students just weren't prepared for either college or the work place. "How do we break that cycle?" These were two of the seeds Tempel planted during the planning of PACE.
Statistics Tempel found indicated that only 20% of high school seniors were ready to either enter college or the work place. "Why not set a standard?" This question and more led him to look at the Oregon Transfer Module offered at community colleges across the state. It quickly became his belief that if high schools could get kids through the Oregon Transfer Module, they would be ready for the work place or the next step in their college careers.
Finally, in looking at college/high school partnerships prior to the early 2000's, Tempel said that high risk students were being given options- alternative schools, and, as last resort, community college. "Why not for all kids?" Community colleges, such as Linn Benton and Chemeketa, were ready and willing to partner with Scio to help students succeed.
The PACE program is still evolving to better help students succeed. One recent change was removing the Certificate of Initial Mastery requirement when that program was removed from the Oregon Department of Education guidelines.
While studying how to help students excel at the high school level, Tempel said there was a sense that high graduates' abilities were on the decline from decades earlier and that students just weren't prepared for either college or the work place. "How do we break that cycle?" These were two of the seeds Tempel planted during the planning of PACE.
Statistics Tempel found indicated that only 20% of high school seniors were ready to either enter college or the work place. "Why not set a standard?" This question and more led him to look at the Oregon Transfer Module offered at community colleges across the state. It quickly became his belief that if high schools could get kids through the Oregon Transfer Module, they would be ready for the work place or the next step in their college careers.
Finally, in looking at college/high school partnerships prior to the early 2000's, Tempel said that high risk students were being given options- alternative schools, and, as last resort, community college. "Why not for all kids?" Community colleges, such as Linn Benton and Chemeketa, were ready and willing to partner with Scio to help students succeed.
The PACE program is still evolving to better help students succeed. One recent change was removing the Certificate of Initial Mastery requirement when that program was removed from the Oregon Department of Education guidelines.
Scio students still must meet a stringent set of requirements. Kathy Chafin overseas high school students through the Career Services and Counseling Center. She said each high school within LB's service district offer programs for their students. Chafin noted that Scio’s standards are much high than other area high schools that send students to LB. That’s not to say high school students from other schools don’t succeed.
In fact, it is quite the contrary. Statistics show that high school students who attend the Albany college have a 93% completion rate. The average GPA is 3.09 for all high school students taking classes at Linn Benton.
Scio’s students fall squarely at the top of the heap. Tempel attributes that to the high standards Scio students must possess. “Our kids are more successful because of the qualifications.”
“They are pretty solid students,” Chafin said of the Scio students at LB.
Programs such as PACE allow students a smooth transition between high school and college. High school students in college are required to focus on what their future plans are. Chafin said that helps them succeed and “gives them a purpose.”
Funding for PACE as with other area high school programs come from the State of Oregon. As Tempel explained it, “They are still Scio High School students so they are funded in the same way.”
Chafin and Tempel agree that programs such as PACE are not for every student. “We try to set them up for success,” Chafin said.
At Scio, Tempel said a couple of students entered PACE their junior years, returned to Scio High School for their senior classes then reentered PACE the following year. Other students begin PACE their senior year and spend two full years at Linn Benton while remaining on the high school rolls.
How do Scio students like the program? Haley Guest loves it. A junior at Scio High School, this is Guest's first term in PACE. "I like it better than high school."
Guest said none of her teachers realized she was still a high school student until she brought the required progress report to them. Guest is taking 13 credits at Linn Benton this fall and couldn't be happier.
"I'm here to learn," she said following her history class. She thrives on the challenges of college. "It's harder." She is also thriving on just being at LB. "Nobody judges you."
Jordan Lundgren is also attending LBCC as a PACE student. "The teachers teach," she said recently. "They don't baby you at all."
Lundgren likes the variety of classes offered at Linn Benton and the fact that the pressures of fitting in at the high school level do not exist in college. "There's no drama."
Both students are working toward their Oregon Transfer Modules. While Guest intends to become a special education speech therapist, Lundgren has yet to decide on a major. Both suggest that any Scio student with the desire to learn and attend college apply for the PACE program.
In the seven years since PACE saw it's first class, approximately 140 Scio students have gone through the program. Tempel said this school year, 20-25 Scio students are walking the halls of schools such as Linn Benton and Chemeketa Community Colleges.
How do Scio students like the program? Haley Guest loves it. A junior at Scio High School, this is Guest's first term in PACE. "I like it better than high school."
Guest said none of her teachers realized she was still a high school student until she brought the required progress report to them. Guest is taking 13 credits at Linn Benton this fall and couldn't be happier.
"I'm here to learn," she said following her history class. She thrives on the challenges of college. "It's harder." She is also thriving on just being at LB. "Nobody judges you."
Jordan Lundgren is also attending LBCC as a PACE student. "The teachers teach," she said recently. "They don't baby you at all."
Lundgren likes the variety of classes offered at Linn Benton and the fact that the pressures of fitting in at the high school level do not exist in college. "There's no drama."
Both students are working toward their Oregon Transfer Modules. While Guest intends to become a special education speech therapist, Lundgren has yet to decide on a major. Both suggest that any Scio student with the desire to learn and attend college apply for the PACE program.
In the seven years since PACE saw it's first class, approximately 140 Scio students have gone through the program. Tempel said this school year, 20-25 Scio students are walking the halls of schools such as Linn Benton and Chemeketa Community Colleges.
AT A GLANCE
Kathy Chafin
From PACE website- What they’re saying about PACE:
From PACE website- What they’re saying about PACE:
- “I have already enrolled for this program for next year. It’s exactly what I’m looking for during my senior year at SHS…I think my time will be very well spent, and my folks think so too.” Brittany Broadbent, SHS graduate- first PACE class.
- “As a high school teacher, I welcome the opportunities the PACE project will provide our students. It will help make their senior year even more worthwhile.” David Chrostek, SHS Physics Instructor.
- “This is truly a wonderful program that brings schools and programs together to help students succeed.” Sam Stern, Professor & Dean, the new School of Education, Oregon State University.
- “This is a great innovative program. I am really proud of Scio!” Odie Vogel, Parent.
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