COLUMBUS, Ohio — Lawmakers at the statehouse are trying to spread awareness about Ohio's College Credit Plus Program. The program allows students in high school to earn college credits. A proposal is trying to make the program available to all high schoolers statewide.

What You Need To Know

  • Lawmakers at the statehouse are trying to spread awareness about Ohio's College Credit Plus Program

  • The goal of the proposal is to enhance what is already being done statewide

  • Some rural schools that are using the program said it’s good for districts that are far away from universities and could save money on college courses

High school teachers get certified to teach these advanced courses so students do not have to leave their local school. Some rural schools that are using the program say it’s good for districts that are far away from universities and could save money on college courses. Ty Cates is a high school principal of Arcanum-Butler Local Schools in a rural town. It offers the college credit plus program, which allows students to earn high school and college credits at the same time.

High school teachers get certified to teach these advanced courses so students do not have to leave their local school. Six high school teachers are certified to teach college courses at Arcanum-Butler Local Schools. However, that’s not the case at every school statewide. 

State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirkland, brought forth a proposal wanting to educate more schools about the College Credit Plus Program.

"Right now, we see it very different across the state," Cirino said."We would like to see more uniformity in the communication that this program exists and what the great benefits are." 

"We have to try to get our kids to understand this is not a normal high school class," Cates said."This is college level, and I think sometimes kids forget that even though you're taking it in the high school, it is a college level course." 

Cirino and Cates both believe education requirements for teachers in the program need to be reevaluated. Right now, a teacher needs to have certain hours of teaching requirements in that subject and a master's degree. 

"I think just a way to entice teachers to teach the program is to see the importance of it," Cates said, "and advertise it more for the for the teachers in rural districts to see how important it can be for our students." 

"If you have a high school teacher who's been teaching advanced placement courses for many years," Cirino said. "They should get credit for that, and not be required to go back and get a different advanced degree or take additional hours of some type of follow up education in order to teach to keep qualified courses." 

Cirino said the proposal will cut costs by having participating colleges and universities use free open-source class materials instead of textbooks. That material needs to be purchased by the school districts who are participating. 

Cirino said there is a disparity among school districts on how well schools embrace College Credit Plus.

Meanwhile, Cates said it's rewarding to watch his students achieve future success. 

"I'm very proud of our district," Cates said, "As small as we are, I think we're pretty special to have these opportunities for our students here in Arcanum for sure."