Teens who dread getting up with the birds but want to prepare for the working world might find just what they need in a new high school program at Bates Technical College.
Some 300 students already take high school classes at the two-year college, alongside adults in their 30s.
But under the new program, starting this fall at Bates’ South Tacoma campus, high school students will have the option of starting their academic classes at 12:30 p.m., then taking career training courses specially designed for teens from 3 to 6 p.m.
Unlike other Bates offerings, the courses will be limited to 16- to 20-year-olds pursuing their high school diplomas.
Cheri Loiland, Bates vice president of instruction, says the program will allow the college to tackle two issues: an overall rise in enrollment and serving high school dropouts.
College officials expect Bates to exceed its capacity of 1,417 students in career-training programs this fall. Incoming teens who enter or switch to the new high school program will free up space in career-training classes.
“It creates capacity for (more) students, and it happens to be at a time that’s more desirable for high school students,” Loiland said. “They enjoy, and function better, in the afternoon compared to early morning.”
Research shows that hormonal changes cause adolescents to fall asleep later than younger children, yet most high schools typically start before 8 a.m. High schools elsewhere in the country that have moved the start of school to later in the morning have found that absenteeism falls and test scores rise.
Several current Bates students working on their high school diplomas and career paths said the program would appeal to many teens.
They said their autobody classes now start at 7:45 a.m.; diesel engine repair classes at 7:15. Students must arrive on time, the same as in the workplace, or risk getting cut from the program. It’s difficult for students commuting from as far as White River or Thurston County or for those with late-night jobs.
“A lot of kids in high school don’t have cars,” said 19-year-old Alex Rogers of Tacoma. “Later in the day there’s more (public) buses and the buses aren’t as packed.”
Instead of trying to recruit kids away from traditional high schools, the college will work with community agencies to find students for the 72 program slots, Loiland said.
“We’re trying to appeal to students who’ve dropped out and lost interest in high school,” she said.
Bates high school students must meet the same state graduation standards required of traditional teens to earn a diploma. But many of Bates’ academic and career training courses fulfill requirements for both high school diplomas and associate degrees or work force certificates.
The new program will offer participants four job training courses: introduction to woodwork construction, power motor repair, electrician construction, and, for the first time at Bates, electronics and car audio.
Bates attracts teens for a plethora of reasons, be it the desire to start early on a college degree, health issues, or boredom and academic struggles in traditional high school classes.
Like many Bates students, Johnie Davis discovered he thrives on the technical college’s style of applied instruction.
“It’s more hands-on, which is what I like instead of sitting in an academic class for seven hours a day,” said Davis, 20, who’s about to complete his certificate in diesel and heavy equipment mechanics.
Diesel classmate Tyler Shipman, 18, said he had a B-plus average as a sophomore at Graham-Kapowsin High but wanted a head start on his career. After spending two years at Bates, he will earn his high school diploma and diesel certificate this month and is one class away from an associate degree. He already has two job offers; one would pay $35 an hour.
“High school was fun, but I’d rather have good money,” Shipman said.
Debby Abe: 253-597-8694
debby.abe@thenewstribune.com
blogs.thenewstribune.com/street
If you want to sign up
The new high school program at Bates Technical College starts Sept. 10 at its South Campus, 2201 S. 78th St., Tacoma. High school students pay a $25 fee per quarter to attend Bates, but the state picks up the remainder of costs, just as it does for students at traditional high schools. To enroll, contact adviser Lexine Torres at 253-680-7479 or ltorres@bates.ctc.edu.
