Dual Accreditation Pilot Project
In the spring of 2009, Chinook’s Edge School Division received funding to explore dual accreditation programming, allowing students to earn credit toward both college and secondary school diploma/certificate requirements. By the end of the project in 2011 a model for dual accreditation will be developed based on learner pathways for Alberta high schools and post-secondary institutions. This model will include recommendations for funding, program structure and delivery, instructional models, infrastructure considerations, and governance.
Olds College and Chinook’s Edge School Division are working together to provide students with a variety of dual credit opportunities. Students earn high school credit in various Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses in addition to earning Olds College course credits. Courses are delivered both on-site at Olds College and in a blended model, using video-conferencing suites in the Community Engagement Sites.
The first phase of the project (2007-2009) involved “proof of concept” course delivery in the areas of welding, meat cutting, and equine science. In the next phase of the project, we are fine-tuning administrative processes for dual credit course delivery and are expanding the course offerings to reach a broader range of students in a variety of career pathways. In the first semester of 2009-2010, four trades courses (welding, machining, carpentry, and technician basics) are being offered to students of Olds High School, Bowden Grandview School, and Olds Koinonia School. In the second semester, pre-employment welding, equine science, and fashion marketing courses will be offered to students in all Chinook’s Edge School Division high schools.
For more information, please contact Barb Mulholland, Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator (403-507-7731; e-mail bmulholland@chinooksedge.ab.ca
