3/26/08Columbus Dispatch Blog

Jennifer Smith Richards

When Gov. Ted Strickland unveiled his new dual high-school/college enrollment program in his State of the State address, some districts and colleges (and especially the teachers unions) were lukewarm on the idea.

But the state has announced that interest in using the Seniors to Sophomores program that allows high-school students to spend their time on college campuses for both high-school and college credit has been overwhelming.

In fact, so many folks are interested that there’s now a waiting list for those who want to participate.

Says the Board of Regents in a message on their Web site: “We have had an outstanding response to the Seniors to Sophomores Request for Applications. At this time, the number of applications exceeds the amount of funding available. Any applications received after 5:00 P.M. on Monday, March 24, 2008, will be placed on a waiting list for potential future consideration.”

The Ohio Education Association still isn’t crazy about the idea. It wants kids to take college courses on high-school campuses instead of driving to college. Too much wasted time in travel, the union says. Read the statement on the union’s site.