AP, IB, Dual Enrollment Programs garner interest

Etinosa Ogbomo Managing Editor

For years, there has been confusion amongst parents and students regarding the various academic programs offered at Marietta High. The International Baccalaureate CP and DP Programs, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment are all provided at Marietta High, but oftentimes prospective students for these programs are confused about which program to pursue.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate program is a two year course of study that utilizes a globally standardized curriculum. IB offers two distinctive pathways that one could follow: the career-program and the diploma-program. The career program offers students the opportunity to take IB classes in conjunction with their chosen career pathway classes. The diploma program offers students a second, prestigious diploma in addition to their normal high school diploma.

“One piece of IB that you have to understand is the rigor,” full IB student, Aastha Amin (12), said. "Going through the process of writing all of the IB essays and engaging in IB classes helps to prepare students for the college process."

IB DP students are mandated to participate in community service and take classes such as "Theory of Knowledge" to broaden their understanding of philosophical principles.

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Different students have different interests, passions, and goals, and the academic course that a student chooses should reflect what they hope to accomplish in their high school career. When making a final decision, it is important to consider course load, rigor, and personal circumstances. The varying programs have differing time commitments that may not accomodate all students.

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment is a program that allows students to procure college credit during high school by partially enrolling in a university. Dual Enrollment presents students with the unique chance to spend time on a college campus with college professors and students.

"I really enjoy Dual Enrollment," Caden Sexton (11) said. "I enjoy the new people that I get to meet and it's a great program because it gives students a head start when they get to college."

Marietta High Dual Enrollment students can partially enroll at either Kennesaw State University or Chattahoochee Technical School during their junior and senior years.

Due to participating students receiving college credit, they are typically able to finish college before their peers.

Advanced Placement

Though a less prevalent option, Marietta High offers students the choice to take AP classes, both in-person or online through the Georgia Virtual School platform. Advanced Placement classes are 1 or 2 semester classes that are geared towards preparing students for college. Most AP classes have an end-of-year test, and if students obtain a particular score, colleges often grant credit.

"AP Classes have been really beneficial in my opinion because it has helped me learn and develop my studying skills," Cauan Lucas (12) said. "In AP you have to know a lot of content for the test so good study habits are very helpful."

Unlike the International Baccalaureate Program, students who wish to participate in AP can decide which class they want to take without being mandated

"I would recommend IB DP for underclassmen who are highly motivated, who want to get into a really competitive university. I'd recommend CP for kids who want the extra rigor. But maybe that's better for kids who are balancing sports or a job or some serious family situations."

Beau Dominguez, IB History of the Americas teacher

"Dual Enrollment is ideal for students that are motivated, and that can balance their highschool work with college rigor."

Kelly Brangan, Counselor and Dual Enrollment Coordinator

"There are three important things that a student looking to take AP fulfills: completing necessary prerequisites without much difficulty, being interested in the particular subject you hope to take, and being willing to put in the work to be successful."

Laurie Sonshein, AP Statistics teacher

RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN NEED

House Bill 287 is a new piece of legislation introducing the implementation of K-12 learning surrounding vape products and human trafficking. This bill is an updated version of a previous Georgia house bill issued in 1991. The bill originally covers the prescription of mandatory instruction on alcohol and drugs to K-12 students. Most of the provisions of the bill surround the proper implementation of these alcohol and drug education measures. But in the revised HB 287, all that was added was the extra labels of tobacco and vape products along with a three line excerpt:

“The State Board of Education shall prescribe a course of study in human trafficking awareness for grades six through 12, which may be included as part of the health and physical education course of study…”

This prescribed course has yet to be implemented in MHS health course, but the school district has made efforts to promote this new educational area in the form of Rescuing Hope seminars among the middle and high school.

Rescuing Hope is a non-profit organization founded by Susan Norris in 2010. Mrs. Norris has been fighting against sex trafficking in Georgia since the early 2000s, working as a member of the Georgia State Human Trafficking Task Force before founding her organization.

Front and Center on the Rescuing Hope website is their mission statement; “To enlighten the public about sex trafficking in America, educate potential victims and first responders, and empower advocates and survivors.”

They try to reach these goals through member-lead talks across Georgia. Ms. Norris personally goes to different schools, workplaces and stations to discuss the topics of sex trafficking to a multitude of age groups, but each talk isn’t the same, as there are three types of talks Rescuing Hope provides:

Enlighten Programs, aimed at a younger, public audience, with the goal of spreading awareness of the causes, effects and overall dangers of sex trafficking.

Educate Programs, aimed at first responders and businesses, with the goal of training groups on how to prevent and respond to victims.

Empower Programs, aimed at young adults, with the goal of providing educational and volunteer opportunities in and around the field of public safety.

Marietta 6-12 students were treated to an Enlighten talk called “Play It Safe”.

This course aims to teach middle and high school students how to stay safe by sharing facts, stories and tips in the hopes of preventing dangerous situations while also empowering the youth to protect themselves and those around them. Ms. Norris gave the speeches to the four different ages levels within MHS, while a constituent gave similar talks to MMS students. She shared stories of former victims and how they, knowing or unknowingly, fell victim to sex trafficking.

She highlighted ways that traffickers get their victims: Force, the direct kidnapping/theft of a person off the street. Coercion, the manipulation of a victim into the trade via false claims/actions. Fraud, the manipulation of a victim into the trade via financial or emotional blackmail. She also gave tips on what practices could lead traffickers to their next victim, shaming inappropriate social media usage, and highlighting the importance of talking to parents before taking any actions with strangers. All of the resources provided and points from the presentation are important in spreading awareness, but students and staff alike were left with a fair share of questions after this first attempt at sex trafficking education.

MUST Ministries

770-427-9862

Shelter, Food, Clothing and more

Human Trafficking Hotline

866-363-484

Report Sex Trafficking of any age 24/7

Out of Darkness

404-941-6024

Adult Outreach, Safe Homes, Long-term Safety Programs

LifeSafe Resources

770-427-3390

Domestic Violence, Sexualt Assult & Elder Abuse Victim Service

Zaria Byers Assistant Editor

Danielle Isom Shane Roach

Senior Danielle Isom is a Varsity sprinter for the track and field team. She runs the fast time for the 100, 200, and 400 races. Isom has earned the Lamp of Knowledge award for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA for three consecutive years.

After high school, Isom plans to attend college to become an architect. She also plans to continue her track career through out college.

Isom gains inspiration from Tara Davis, a Black track athlete and long jumper that has placed 6th in the Tokyo Olympics.

“Not only is she an amazing person but she is an outstanding athlete. She inspires me because even though she had every reason to give up on track, she fought through her struggle with injuries and depression to make the Olympic team,” Danielle Isom (12) said.

Junior Shane Roach is a midfielder for the Varsity soccer team. He is also a member of the NPL Eastern Conference Champions. Roach won the Southeastern NPL title and reached national level in soccer.

After high school, Roach plans to attend Howard university with a major in Business and a specialty in Marketing. He intends to continue playing soccer during his college career.

A large source of his inspiration comes from Pelé, the Brazilian footballer who was widely recognized as a soccer legend.

“He was the first player to truly modernize and bring flare to the game. Pelé being a minority really helps me build a relation with him,” Shane Roach (11) said.