INFORMATIONAL MEETING
AUGUST 12, 2008
Q&A
v Where can I access a sample curriculum?
ECA will be following the state’s comprehensive curriculum as well as the TOPS curriculum. In addition, the state has adopted the LA Core 4 Curriculum for all high schools, including the Early College Academy.
v Are students from different parishes accepted?
ECA is for Lafayette Parish public school students only.
v Must students re-take courses they have earned credit from through credit exams or coursework?
ECA students do not have to re-take earned credit courses.
v What scholarships will be available for the ECA students?
Any scholarship available to all other high school students will be available to our ECA students. Also, we will have a full-time counselor assigned to the academy to assist students in seeking out and applying for scholarships.
v Will students only be able to earn an Associate Degree in general studies?
This program will allow ECA students to get all the freshman and sophomore general requirements for most bachelor degrees, plus 18 hours of concentration in a particular subject.
v Will advanced – level classes be offered?
Our curriculum courses will be rigorous and relevant. These classes will be “college” rigorous.
v What if a student is already enrolled in a school of choice?
A student can transfer from any LPSS academy to the ECA if accepted.
v Will the public be allowed to attend the lottery?
We actually encourage parents and students to attend the lottery. LPSS lotteries are always open to the public.
v Would ECA students attend their home-zone high school?
No, all ECA classes will he held on the SLCC campus.
v What activities at the home-based school would ECA students be able to attend?
This is up to the principal at the home zone school. LPSS is working with high school principals to ensure that a student will be able to attend specified social activities such as the prom. LPSS is also meeting with agencies such as 4-H with hopes to expand the extracurricular activities available to ECA students.
v What about participation in high school sports team such as the swim team?
ECA students will not be eligible for high school sports teams at this time.
v Will ECA students be eligible for the high school ROTC program?
An ECA student will not be eligible for ROTC at this time.
v Are siblings of ECA students given priority in subsequent years?
Siblings of ECA students will be required to enter the lottery with everyone else; there will be no sibling priority next year.
v What is the student-teacher ratio for these classes?
For the high school classes, the student-teacher ratio will be approximately 25 to 1. For the college classes, it will range from 10 to 1 to about 50 to 1 depending on the course.
v Will ECA students have to take the GEE?
Yes. ECA students will be required to take all the state tests including the GEE and the iLeap.
v Can a student re-take the eight grade LEAP to earn eligibility for ECA?
No.
v How many years of TOPS scholarship would students receive after they graduate?
For the most up-to-date information regarding TOPS – please go to the LOSFA website - www.osfa.la.gov
The following is taken from the 2007-2008 TOPS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSLEORS. “TOPS eligible students, who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree without having exhausted all 8 semester or 12 quarters of eligibility, may receive the period of eligibility remaining if they enroll in an eligible graduate or professional school no later than the fall semester following the one year anniversary of completion of their undergraduate degrees and have met the requirements for continuation of their awards.
v Can SLCC credits transfer only to Louisiana universities?
No, SLCC is fully accredited by SACS. SLCC credits do transfer to out of state schools, but it is up to the accepting school.
v Explain how the college credits will be obtained.
As freshmen, students will take the high school core curriculum and 9 hours of college credit. As sophomores, they will be taking 12 to 15 hours each semester of college credit. As juniors and seniors, all student classes will be counting toward a college degree.
v Is P.E. required?
Yes, P.E. is required for a high school diploma, but these classes will be taken within the SLCC curriculum. Students will not take the traditional PE classes.
v Do students need to maintain a certain GPA?
No, but D’s do not transfer to Universities. Therefore, it will be the responsibility of the student to retake these courses. ECA will not be responsible for the cost.
v If a child fails or gets a D, will the tuition to re-take the class be charged to the parent?
The Lafayette Parish School System or ECA will not assume any tuition costs for classes re-taken.
v Can students take courses in the summer?
Students will have the opportunity to attend summer sessions at their own expense.
v Is there a break during the day for ECA students?
Yes, there are breaks worked into the schedule. There is a student lounge with access to vending machines and microwaves.
v What about report cards?
ECA students will receive progress reports/report cards. The process and timelines are being reviewed at this time. Specific reporting procedures will be available during the orientation for students and parents.
v If a child is chosen, do they have to go to their home zone school until the 22nd?
Yes. We do not want our students to lose any time in school for this school year. In the future, students will report directly to ECA.
v How will students be ranked in terms of graduation?
The students will be ranked at their home zone school according to their GPA and any other criteria required by the district and/or school.
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