Fox Valley Technical College logo (IMAGE: Courtesy of Fox 11 WLUK)
GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A new Fox Valley Technical College partnership with six rural school districts aims to give students the same dual credit opportunities afforded to students in big, urban and suburban high schools.
The program, called the Clever Fox Initiative, is funded through a two-year, $24,000 state taxpayer-funded grant.
Schools involved in the program:
- Clintonville
- Manawa
- New London
- Shiocton
- Wautoma
- Wild Rose
FVTC already offers dual credit opportunities at these schools, but this helps students take courses that will benefit them in their desired career path. Because of this grant, FVTC advisers now will guide students along the path.
“We are working with a handful of our rural schools to really get into their classrooms to understand the gaps that schools are experiencing with supporting their students on getting them to transition to their next post-secondary option,” said Amanda Martzahl, FVTC Career Discovery Specialist. “Whether that looks like understanding what college credits they should be taking on high school, depending on what grade they are, maybe they need support through those classes.”
Program due in part to advisers in rural schools being stretched thin
Many advisers in rural school districts are spread thin and unable to provide the one-on-one support to determine which dual credit courses best help a student as they prepare for their post-high school education. This affords students the same guidance they may receive at a bigger school.
“We’re able to partner with Fox Valley Tech to use some of their resources and tools to get our kids to maybe do some more in-depth work to find out what our kids’ interests are, what maybe they want to do post-secondary,” said Wild Rose District Administrator Craig Hayes.
Hayes said the entire Wild Rose Middle and High Schools have one adviser, who simply doesn’t have the time to walk through career and dual credit options with each student.
“If we can boost those kids to take some of those classes, those college credits and get them to graduate from Wild Rose High School with those opportunities,” said Wild Rose District Administrator Craig Hayes, “that also is a financially responsible cost savings measure for the kids once they leave us.”
Students could begin working with FVTC as soon as 8th grade
Fox Valley Tech will begin working with students as early as eighth grade to chart out their high school and eventual dual credit courses, should they take part in the program. A student could even earn an associate degree before graduating high school.
“They can start in that specific career path right away with us, and then transfer to get a four-year (degree) or go right into the job market,” said Jennifer Van Thiel, Fox Valley Tech’s Manager of K-12 Partnerships.
The grant does not cover the tuition cost.
If you live in one of these districts and are interested, contact your school district administrators. After the first two years, Fox Valley Tech will determine whether to continue the program.
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