Easley Seniors Get a Head Start on College Studies
By Taking Tri-County Technical College Classes

CONTACT: VINSON BURDETTE, EXT. 2498

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/28/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

EASLEY --- It's hard to believe, considering the hour, but instructor Vinson Burdette is rarely the first one to enter his 'sunrise' College English class at Easley High School.

Burdette, an English instructor at Tri-County Technical College, arrives before class begins, and several students are already in the classroom, discussing their reading or writing assignments.

By observing the students' enthusiasm and punctuality, you'd never know it's before 7 a.m. But this year 17 Easley High seniors chose to participate in this dual credit program whereby they gain college credit by taking freshman courses (English 101 and 102) their senior year of high school through Tri-County Technical College.

Called Opportunities for Accelerated College Studies, the program allows qualified high school seniors to take college courses during their senior year to get a head start on their college studies. The School District also awards dual credit so the courses can count toward graduation requirements. This semester students could choose from the early morning 55-minute class or a three-hour evening class.

The Easley High students say the number-one benefit is the opportunity to enter college this fall with up to six credit hours for freshman English (two courses required at every major college and university).

"I feel one step ahead of the game," said Andrew Seymore. "Now I won't be in a crowded English class when I enter college next year." Andrew will attend Clemson University where he will study financial management.

"I wanted the dual college and high school English credits," said Jimmy Watts. "But equally as important was reducing my college stress level. My freshman year in college will be stressful enough anyway." He also will enter Clemson to major in Computer Engineering.

"Another perk of the class is we get front-row parking," joked Jimmy, referring to nearly vacant parking lot at 7 a.m.

"We already have our brains working when everybody else is just waking up," added Andrew, who says he's grateful for the knowledge and skills he's gained for writing college-level papers. "I also appreciate the one-on-one attention from Mr. Burdette."

Jimmy agreed. "Mr. Burdette is student-oriented. He reads your e-mails and gets right back to you."

"When I was writing an essay for a scholarship application," said Anna Lake, who will go to USC in Columbia to study communications, "I e-mailed Mr. Burdette and asked questions about revisions, and he always made good suggestions. He was really available to help me.

"My writing skills, as well as my grammar, have improved," continued Anna. "I'm a better writer now and that helps in every class."

"It's worth getting up an hour early three days a week," said Andrew.

"The bottom line is they are a great group of students who want to be here," said Burdette. "They are punctual, talkative and participate in a positive way. They are academically prepared, and they want to learn."

Tri-County began offering classes at area high schools in the early 1990s. Last year, 424 high school students enrolled in 24 courses on six high school campuses. Participating high schools were Wren, Easley, Pickens, Palmetto, The Career and Technology Center and the Fred P. Hamilton Career Center. The classes are offered at the request of the high schools and include English, psychology, sociology, Western civilization and math.

Burdette has been teaching one course per semester on the high school campus since 1998. "I was interested in getting involved in a class that's an alternative to coming to campus at Tri-County," Burdette explained.

The high school publicizes the class and helps students to determine if they are prepared for these courses.

Burdette is quick to say that college classes aren't for all seniors. "Participants must be academically prepared and not overcommitted with extra-curricular activities. They also must be attitudinally prepared. They must come to class willing to spend the time necessary to be successful," he said.

"Some high school seniors see their last year as the end of a journey and don't realize the energy and attitude and time necessary for this kind of class. It's a challenge," said Burdette.

"Students tell me they like the discussion-oriented atmosphere. It's an active learning class with group discussions and gives them a head start for when they graduate and enroll in college," he said.
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