<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4dZJuJ_0viYLYl900" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4dZJuJ_0viYLYl900" width="1320" height="743" >LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A new partnership between the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) and the Conway School District is allowing Conway High School students to earn concurrent credit during their high school schedule at no cost.The program just launched, and Conway School District reports that over 70 students have already enrolled.UACCM is offering three career and technical education pathways to students: computer aided drafting and technology, welding technology and collision repair.Both UACCM and Conway School District are hopeful about the expanded educational opportunities for students.UACCM Vice Chancellor of Academics, Dr. Richard Counts, says UACCM hopes to see students gain at least a 15-hour certificate of proficiency in their chosen field, and he believes starting the students' post-secondary education early is key.“That’s really important for students in the state," Counts says. "Arkansas data shows that if students are able to get just one concurrent class, so at least 3 hours while they’re still in high school, they are twice as likely to get some sort of post-secondary credentials.”Counts says the program is convenient for students, eliminating some barriers for students wishing to take the concurrent courses.“The ability for these students to get these courses while they are on their campus during the school day, without having to travel, is certainly a plus, as well as cost," Counts says.He says it breeds employability in career and technical fields.“So, anything we can do to alleviate the number of individuals who are trained in those areas and get them high-wage, high-demand jobs is gonna be a great start for them," Counts says.Students can start taking the courses as early as the ninth grade, and Conway School District Superintendent Dr. Jeff Collum says academic counselors are working to best fit the concurrent courses in schedules.“And so what you’re doing is you’re allowing time to be used most efficiently to where they can get the required course credit," Collum says. "They can get time also for the concurrent credit and get the ability to move forward efficiently."Students can currently earn up to 21 concurrent hours while in high school, but Collum says this is just the beginning.“[We] hope that we can continue to expand those course offerings, as high as 50 or 60 hours at some point," Collum says.Collum says the message of expanded opportunities will trickle down into the lower grade levels, encouraging younger students to think about all of the education paths and career opportunities they're interested in pursuing.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

UACCM and Conway School District launch new free concurrent credit program

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A new partnership between the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) and the Conway School District is allowing Conway High School students to earn concurrent credit during their high school schedule at no cost. The program just launched, and Conway School District reports...