Angelo State offers Llano ISD free dual-credit college courses
CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF
LLANO — Llano High School students enrolled in dual-credit college courses through Angelo State University can now do so for free.
The Llano Independent School District inked a deal Feb. 9 with the San Angelo institution to pay for the college courses high school students take to earn university credits, Llano ISD Superintendent Casey Callahan said.
Funding will come from the Carr Scholarship Foundation, created in the name of Robert G. Carr, who died in 1978. From his success in the oil, gas and minerals industries, he donated money to establish the trust for economically disadvantaged and academically worthy students, according to the ASU website.
About one-third of the university’s students are enrolled in the program.
Previously, Llano High School seniors would take Central Texas College courses in which they would be responsible for tuition.
“For the last several semesters, the tuition rates for Central Texas College have been going up. Our students have had to foot that bill,” Callahan said. “(With the Carr scholarships), students will be paying nothing for their dual-credit hours.”
Students will apply and take the ASU courses from Llano ISD teachers on campus.
“We’re very fortunate that we have several teachers who have master’s (degrees) or 18 hours in the content area. With us having the teachers there, our students are already familiar with those professors or staff members,” he said. “They may have already had a class from them, and they know what to expect. Plus, they are still following our guidelines for grading policies and procedures.”
Courses for which students can apply include statistics, college algebra, history and government. The courses earn students high school as well as college credits.
“If the student keeps their grade-point average, they would be allowed automatic admissions into Angelo State University when they graduate from high school,” he said. “So it’s a win-win for both our students and Angelo State.”
connie@thepicayune.com