College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) efforts to support Latinx students with the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) initiative will be recognized during a national webinar in November.
The webinar showcases research completed by Michelle VanBeek, Adjunct Professor for Northwest Nazarene University, for her dissertation studies exploring the academic benefits of CWI’s Dual Credit program and CLEP.
Stephen Crumrine, CWI Dual Credit Director, started the innovative partnership with CLEP in 2014, with CWI covering the testing center fees at Boise State University, while Boise State provides lunch and a campus tour. Idaho Department of Education also supports the cost of the CLEP exam through Advanced Opportunities, and students can earn up to 12 credits in Spanish 101-201 – which gives them a great jump start to college.
“CWI Dual Credit is excited to see Michelle’s dissertation work represented on a national level,” said Crumrine. “Michelle reached out to CWI in 2018 after hearing about our initiative to help support Spanish speaking students by utilizing the CLEP exam for Spanish. CWI began the Spanish Speakers Initiative six years ago with Canyon Springs High School in Caldwell. Since, we have grown to serve students in dozens of high schools across the state and have partnered with Idaho State Department of Education and Boise State University to ensure we can offer this opportunity to every Spanish speaker in the state.”
Hundreds of high school students have earned thousands of college credits while saving time and money prior to college thanks to this program.
“We are proud of our work supporting students, and we are excited to see it highlighted academically,” added Crumrine.