BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Bradford High School will begin offering the Cambridge AICE program to students, unlocking advanced coursework, college credit and scholarship funds.
School Superintendent Will Hartley recently traveled to Lake County to learn about the program, and he shared his findings with school board members during workshop retreat last week.
Hartley said a course known as General Paper has been considered as a substitute of the 11th grade English Language Arts curriculum.
Not only is the course “very passable,” according to Hartley, it will also be more relatable. Students would write about something they relate to — which is probably not William Shakespeare.
Lake County Superintendent Diane Kornegay invited Hartley to visit a high school with similar demographics to Bradford High that was succeeding at, not just offering a single course, but moving entire cohorts of the students through the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education program.
The program includes a choice of seven courses, from different groups, including math and science, languages, and arts and humanities, as well as electives. There is also a research component that leads to a project, presentation and written exam. Completion awards a special diploma.
In addition to the college credit earned, the students become eligible for a full Bright Futures Scholarship.
“That’s hugely important to our kids, because even our valedictorians don’t make a 33 on the ACT, so they’re not even getting 100% Bright Futures. But through this program, they can pass these courses and get there,” he said.
Beginning next year, they would like to create ninth- and 10th-grade cohort groups to begin the program. They will have enough time to make it through the courses before graduation. Thereafter, from each new group of freshmen, the top 15% to 20% would have a chance to join a new cohort group.
Parents will be part of the recruitment, with a special orientation informing them of all the perks.
Eleventh- and 12th-graders will also be offered a chance to take the General Paper course as a substitute for their ELA classes and potentially earn college credits as well.
“It’s a very passable class that will show them they can do college,” Hartley said.
The Cambridge curriculum has advantages over Advanced Placement courses, he said, including limited additional professional development. No special certification is required to instruct. The courses are better for students as well — more passable. Some of the AP exams last all day he said. He estimates the cost will be between $15,000 and $25,000.
Hartley said they are even looking at making one of the campus buildings the Cambridge Academy, helping to make it a place students want to be. Students should strive to be a part of the program. Other districts also incentivize teachers who participate.
Bradford has an advantage with Assistant Superintendent Karen Clarke, who is familiar with the program. When she worked in Alachua County, it was named Cambridge District of the Year for the program at Gainesville High School, according to Hartley.
