Les Cheneaux Community Schools teacher Edward McClure is presented with a check for $1,000 from Denice Barnes, owner/operator of the Barnes Insurance Agency in Rudyard. She assisted Mr. McClure in obtaining a grant to help high school students enrolled in college mathematics courses. Advanced mathematics students in the Eastern Upper Peninsula now have the opportunity to earn up to 10 college math credits before high school graduation. Students can earn the credits at no cost through a program set up between the EUP Intermediate School District and Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in Sault Ste. Marie to take college algebra, trigonometry, and calculus courses via interactive television (ITV) equipment.

Cedarville High School mathematics teacher Hank McClure, who teaches the three ITV math courses as a university adjunct professor, said students who complete the algebra and trigonometry courses will earn most of their college mathematics credits for most degree programs. The credits transfer if a student attends a college other than LSSU.

"We've been doing calculus for quite a while now. This is the first year for college algebra and college trig," he said. "They're dual enrollment classes for students that want more challenging courses."

The Intermediate School District (ISD) originally wanted to offer a pre-calculus college course to high school students, but because LSSU no longer offers that class another option was sought. LSSU now requires its students to complete college algebra and trigonometry courses as prerequisites for college-level calculus instead of a single pre-calculus course, which is why there are two classes now offered to high school students in the EUP. Students enrolled in the program take the two classes in back-to-back fall and winter semesters.

Valerie Masuga, ISD curriculum consultant, said the district has wanted to expand college-level ITV courses beyond calculus for a few years, but the courses can only be taught by a qualified teacher. That's why Mr. McClure was tapped to teach all three mathematics courses. Not only does he have a Master's degree in mathematics, but he also taught math at LSSU for a year.

"It's hard to find teachers that are qualified to be adjunct professors" to teach the college ITV courses, Ms. Masuga said. "All the schools have the equipment" to participate in the program.

Mr. McClure recently received a $1,000 grant from the MEEMIC Foundation for the Future of Education to purchase textbooks and supplies for the algebra and trigonometry courses for Cedarville students.

Twenty-five students from four schools in the EUP are enrolled in the algebra and trigonometry course, including 16 at Cedarville High School, two at Whitefish Township Community School, one at Rudyard Area Schools, and six at Mackinac Island Public Schools. Thirteen students are enrolled in the calculus course, including three at Cedarville High School, three at DeTour Area Schools, six at Engadine Consolidated Schools, and one at Pickford Public Schools.

Ms. Masuga said the ISD is looking to make college courses other than mathematics available to high school students through the system.

"We're currently trying to expand the program to English language arts," she said. "It's definitely a benefit to get these credits through high school. To graduate with 10 college credits is pretty nice."