University Head Start in Canada

Early college programs can attract high school students for a number of reasons: finishing a degree earlier; planning for a reduced course load later on; or simply escaping the boredom of a high school curriculum that is not challenging enough. Getting a university head start without first earning a diploma is also an important option for high school students who are homeschooled, and for students who traditionally perform poorly in regular or remedial programs. Benefits of an early college program are universal.

It is tempting to assume that only very gifted high school students, or those who come from privileged backgrounds, will benefit from a university head start. Research shows us this is not true.

The Innovations in College Readiness report looks at early college programs in the United States. "Evidence has emerged that high school students in the lowest quartile of performance post higher test-score gains when placed in more rigorous courses, and that with proper supports low-achieving students are as likely to pass challenging, rigorous classes as they are the watered-down courses in which they are typically placed," says the report. This supports the feeling of many parents and educators: that if we expect more of high school students they will rise to the occasion and surprise us all.University head start

Early college programs would seem to be a rarity in Canada, but two Canadian universities offer programs that allow high school students to take courses for college credit before they graduate. Athabasca University and Thompson River University both offer a university head start program for high school students 16 years or older who are able to function at a university level.

The university head start program is meant to supplement high school courses, and not to replace them. However, as both Athabasca and Thompson River are open universities that admit students regardless of prior academic credentials, in theory high school students could opt to begin university at age 16.

Both universities offer online courses, so there is no need for the student to live on-campus. Parents will find this an attractive aspect of the program - both from a financial point of view, and in terms of concerns about teens mixing socially with young adults they meet in class. Students can choose to pursue a degree completely online, or they may later transfer credits to a degree at another college. (High school students who plan to transfer credit should consult the institution they want to attend, before registering for online education courses. Most credits should transfer, but it is safest to ask for written confirmation.)Options for university head start

Undergraduate degrees at online universities can be earned for a three-year concentration or a four-year major. Online degrees are offered in a wide range of domains - from arts and sciences, to business, to humanities and social sciences. For those who would like to tailor their online education program to suit the needs of a specific career path or set of interests, there are degrees in general studies that allow for a broader range of course choices.

An online education will appeal to students who need a flexible schedule, or who prefer to focus on only one or two classes at a time instead of taking a number of unrelated courses concurrently. Courses are also self-paced, and may involve an audio-visual component or home labs, that high school students might be missing in a more traditional lecture-based course. Individual guidance is provided by an assigned tutor, and for some courses there will be a student forum or other virtual meeting place.

Course offerings recommended for high school students in a university head start program focus on first-year university credits. Subjects include French, history, math, geography, political science, accounting and computer science.Sources:

Lawrence Hardy, "Early College, Future Success. American School Board Journal

Thad Nodine, "Innovations in college readiness." Jobs for the Future

"University Head Start." Canadian Virtual University