The Baker Concurrent Credit program is a “win-win” situation all round, not only for the university, but for possible future students as well.

Peggy Harris, dean of the School of Education, said the Baker Concurrent Credit program started as a small pilot program in 2007 between the SOE and Blue Valley high schools and this pilot served as a basis of development for the current program. Through this pilot, Intro to Teacher Education was offered. Out of those schools, about seven students enrolled in the class for dual credit.

The next year, with the addition of the Shawnee Mission school district, along with more classes, including history, biology, government and psychology, 95 students enrolled for concurrent credit.

This year, with the addition of physics to the list, 142 students enrolled in concurrent credit classes between these two districts.

Harris said this could be a useful recruiting tool for Baker, in addition to helping these students out with college credit.

“It’s a win-win all the way around,” Harris said.

She also sees several goals for the program.

“I have a goal of being able to provide university credit to qualified students in these quality programs,” Harris said.

Michelle Preston, a teacher at Shawnee Mission West, is teaching two psychology honor classes that offer concurrent credit.

“It’s a really good opportunity for my students,” she said. “It gives them so many more options.”

Among saving her students time and money later on, Preston said since they are doing college-level work they should already get credit for it at the college level.

Elizabeth Ann Sanders, director of Continuing Education, said this program has many advantages.

“First of all, (the advantage) is definitely to provide students with extended opportunities … to get a jump start on college and college-level work,” Sanders said.

In Baker’s Concurrent Credit brochure, it is stated that the program also provides, “collaboration and professional development for both university and high school instructors.”

Each high school teacher has one Baker professor he or she works with during the semester. At some point, each Baker professor will go to the school and conduct class with that specific teacher.

Preston said she appreciates the collaboration that has been going on. She’s been able to share ideas without feeling like Baker is checking over her shoulder.

“It’s been nice to share ideas,” Preston said.

So far, Sanders is overall pleased with the progress made between these high schools and Baker.

"Respect and collaboration on both sides has continued to blossom and grow," Sanders said. "We can learn from them and they can learn from us."<br/>