Spotlight on Increased Academic Rigor
Delaware Technical and Community College’s Academic Challenge
The Academic Challenge program, created and led by Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown, provides middle and high school public, private and home-schooled students with 20 accelerated courses in math and English. Over the course of their junior and senior years, students can earn up to 12 college credits in English and 15 college credits in mathematics.
The program is a partnership between the nine Sussex County School Districts, the University of Delaware, and the Owens Campus of Delaware Tech. The program benefits:
- districts, by pooling financial resources to offer courses more affordably
- public and private school students by providing the opportunity to earn Delaware Tech and University of Delaware college credits and learn with other talented students
- home-school students, by providing a fully accredited replacement option
Students attend Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown one day a week. They can complete courses in mathematics, English or both subjects. About half of the enrollees are enrolled in one subject only, and about half are enrolled in both subjects. Outstanding performance is expected; students are expected to earn an "A" or "B".
The curriculum was developed with high school teachers and approved by school districts and the Delaware Department of Education. Guidance is provided by a steering committee of Delaware Tech faculty, DOE supervisors, and a representative of each district appointed by the superintendent.
How does it work?
- Students are selected based on aptitude, achievement, student performance in specific subject areas, and overall student performance assessment. School grades, SAT results, and teacher and counselor recommendations are considered. Eligibility is determined beginning in the seventh grade, and students begin attending the program as eighth graders. A school counselor advisory committee meets twice a year to determine the program's selection criteria. There are also English advisory and math advisory committees, which meet yearly.
- The program is a five-year accelerated program of instruction. Math courses include: Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus A, B and C, and Differential Equations. English courses include: Writing Skills I and II, Oral Communications, Writing with Word Power, Literary Criticism, Great Readings, Composition, Poetry, Novel, Drama, and Short Story.
- Districts pay tuition to Delaware Tech for each enrolled student; private and home-school families pay tuition for their students. Annual tuition in 2006-07 was $825 per enrollment (for each subject). Districts also pay transportation costs or arrange their own busing. The Delmar School District serves as the fiscal agent as state law mandates that only a public school may charge tuition to another district.
What are the results?
- School districts, private schools and home school families have enrolled students in the program over its 20-year history. Total enrollment for all five grade levels is typically between 450 and 600. Most students achieve high marks. For example, in an eighth class in 2005-06, 90 students enrolled, 71 completed the program, and 61 achieved an "A" or "B" in most classes.
- Students who complete the program can earn a total of 27 college credits in math and English. Many students are then able to complete their college degree in three to three and a half years. In the fall semester of 2006, 107 juniors and seniors earned a total of 473 credits. In the spring semester 2007, 96 students will earn a total of 410 credits. The program was recognized as a Superstar in Education by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce in 1990. Delaware Tech credits the success of the program to the cooperation among districts, DOE and the University of Delaware.
How does Vision 2015 address achieving high standards for all students?
- Vision 2015 recommends:
- Making Delaware's standards more challenging, relevant, and rigorous—and supporting each student to make sure they can meet these standards.
- Providing more real-world learning opportunities for all students.
- Meeting the diverse interests and learning needs of students.
- Offering opportunities to earn college credit in high school.
- Enabling parents, students and teachers to choose the best educational option for them.
- Improving outreach tools to parents on instructional options so they are empowered to be an advocate for their children.
- Find out more: Read the Vision 2015 plan to provide world-class education to all Delaware students.
Where can I learn more?
