NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

7/24/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Seniors at Grant High School will soon be able to earn college credit closer to home through an articulation agreement with Northwestern State University.

NSU and Grant High School have signed an agreement under Northwestern's High School Articulation Initiative to bring college courses to the school, according to Susan Moak Nealy, coordinator of the Carl D. Perkins Program at NSU who is working to implement the pilot program.

This fall, seniors at Grant will be able to take English 1010 and Education 2020 during the normal high school schedule. English 1010 is a core requirement for all students at Northwestern. Education 2020 is a required course for all education majors.

"This program will give students a head start on college at a reduced cost. They will also be in a familiar environment," said Nealy. "The students will be taking classes which meet the same standards as those taught on the University campus. They will be using the same course plan and textbook as other students. The only difference is the location of the class."

The classes will be taught by Grant High faculty member Liz Futrell, who meets NSU requirements for adjunct faculty members.

"As we planned the program, we looked at the schools available resources and found that they had a highly qualified teacher who met the requirements of accrediting agencies in the appropriate areas," said Nealy. "The courses we are offering are basic courses which can benefit a number of students."

Eligibility requirements for the program currently include a 2.75 cumulative grade point average, a composite score of 18 on the ACT, a score of 18 on the English section (for English 1010 only) and the recommendation of the school principal. Students must also submit an undergraduate application for admission, proof of immunization and pay the $20 application fee.

Those in the program will pay tuition of $100 per course, a substantial discount from NSU's regular tuition rate. There will also be additional costs for textbooks and other course materials. Participants will be regular Northwestern students with access to Watson Library. There will also be some special activities planned to bring these students to campus several times during the semester.

Upon completion of the course, students will receive a final grade which will be part their college transcript.

"We feel this will be an outstanding program which will benefit the students and the University," said Nealy. "Students will get a head start on college while being exposed to Northwestern."

Nealy says Northwestern plans to ask the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors for approval to expand the program next year throughout its service area. The High School Articulation Initiative is a broad program offering several options for high school students to earn college credit. The University will work with area school systems to evaluate their resources and propose options for articulation.

For more information on the program, call Nealy at (318) 357-5721, Melissa Giering in NSU's Office of Admissions and Recruiting at (800) 426-3754 or Rick Williams in the University College's Office of Academic Advising at (318) 357-5873.

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