EDUCATIONAL CHOICES – OPPORTUNITY COST
GRADE 9 LESSON 27
Time Required: 30-45 minutes
Content Standards:
AA.S.2
Students will complete school with the academic rigor and
preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial
postsecondary options, including college.
Indicators (Students will…):
AA.A.9.2.08
Learn about and describe course offerings in which post-secondary credit can be earned while in
high school.
AA.A.9.2.03
Annually revise their five-year high school course plans as appropriate to reflect
changes in career and postsecondary plans, standardized test scores, report card grades,
and life experiences.
GOAL: Students will learn about courses in high school including EDGE, dual
credit, AP and other articulation courses that allow them to earn credit while in
high school and save money when completing post-secondary education.
Activity Statements: Students will identify the opportunities to earn college/post secondary course
credits while in high school. They will explore the opportunity cost through comparison between any
associated fees and the costs for college/post-secondary training. They will determine the cost savings by
selecting to take the courses at the high school level. They will examine the total college credit earning
potential and determine the amount of time they can eliminate paying to attend college. For example
some students may earn a full year of college credit while in high school and only have to attend college
for three years after graduation.
Materials:
List of school specific courses offered in the following categories:
o College EDGE courses
o Dual credit courses
o AP courses
o Online course offering credit
o Other articulation courses such as tech prep, vocational, or apprenticeships
o Any costs associated with the course should be listed on the handout.
o College/community college technical school brochures that can be used for
course and cost comparisons
EDUCATIONAL CHOICES – OPPORTUNITY COST
GRADE 9 LESSON 27
Procedures:
Students will receive a list of courses that are offered at their high school that could lead to
post secondary credit. Any costs associated with the course should be listed on the handout.
Pass out materials from local college/community college/post-secondary training that identify
matching courses and the cost for each.
Student will review his/her Individual Student transition Plan (ISTP) and map out courses from
the list that are related to their career choice. The map should include courses for each year of high
school.
Discussion:
How many dual credit courses are offered at your high school?
How many EDGE course are offered at your high school?
How many Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered at your high school?
What are the requirements to enroll in these classes?
Are there any costs associated with these classes? If so, what are they?
What would be the cost for the same course offered at a local college?
How many of these courses could you take while in high school and what would be the cost
savings as compared to college tuitions for the same courses?
Additional Resources:
EDGE Credit http://www.wvtechprep.wvnet.edu/edge.htm
AP Courses: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html
West Virginia Community and Technical Colleges http://www.wvctcs.org/institutions.asp
WV and US College Search Site http://www.uscollegesearch.org/west-virginia-colleges.html
Extension Activities:
Visit local trade/technical/community /4 year colleges and discuss specific courses you plan to take
while in high school that school would grant credit for or allow replacement for a required course for their career
training.
STUDENTS:
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Complete Activity #12 – College Research Exercise
Save three schools of interest to the Portfolio (See Portfolio Activity #4 – Schools that Interest Me)
Fill in the Educational Goals portion of the Post-Secondary Education Plan