Y-town Early College program has kinks, analyst says

The program has received mixed reviews in an outside assessment
from a consultant.

By ANGIE SCHMITT

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Early College Program needs some changes after three years in operation, according to a private consultant commissioned by Youngstown State University.

An external analysis of the program reported that Youngstown Early College’s inaugural class will have a difficult time earning the high school credits it needs.

About 200 Youngstown city schools students are enrolled in the Early College program. The program, begun in 2004, is offered through a cooperative effort from the school district and YSU.

Many students accustomed to high grades in middle school have found themselves earning D’s in the college classes, said consultant Alison Harmon. At 14 or 15 years old, many students don’t have the educational foundation or maturity to meet professors’ expectations, she said.

“You need to get them started [in college classes] earlier,” she told academic affairs committee members of the YSU Board of Trustees on Tuesday.

Harmon provided committee members with a list of recommendations aimed at helping participants achieve.

Among her proposals is a directive that all early college students take ninth-grade level math, history and English before enrolling in college courses for the subjects.

She suggested students follow a structured four-year curriculum, attending their college courses in groups of no fewer than eight. A prior stipulation of the program prevented more than three early college students from enrolling in the same college class. The rule inhibited the social needs of the young students, she said.

For the school district, Harmon recommended the addition of an administrator, administrative assistant and academic adviser.

Harmon’s findings

Harmon said that it was common for early college programs to require restructuring in the early stages.

“You are on your way to a really good, high-quality program,” said Harmon. “It is certainly a point of pride for the university.”

Harmon’s study also found the top four issues impeding student progress are:

U Low student attendance and preparation for college classes.

U Lack of transitional support for students.

ULack of curriculum alignment with YSU placement requirements.

U No conversion process from YSU credits to high school credits.

The top five concerns of early college parents, according to Harmon, are:

ULow grades for college courses.

U Limited space for college high school.

UDifficulty for students to complete all classes required for high school graduation.

U Unorganized school leadership.

U Lack of genuine student interest on the part of some teachers.

aschmitt@vindy.com