Concurrent classes, provided by NWACC, are no longer taking the February ACT scores for student applications. Many are conflicted based on this choice, with the claim that the February ACT gives people a higher chance to get into the concurrent classes.

February 24 is the free ACT that all juniors have to take, so the fact that the students’ scores won’t be applicable for concurrent classes, limits students who want to join these courses. Although students have other options to take other ACT’s and Accuplacer exams, some of them require money to be spent. That money can add up especially if you don’t meet the requirements and have to take them again.

These other exams are not well known and not a lot of students are aware of these exams. I believe that the administration should inform or at least put out these exams more, being that not a lot of students are mindful of these other options that they can take. That way they don’t just depend on the February ACT scores to apply on the concurrent class application.

English teacher Kim Shepard said, “We offer a great opportunity to take concurrent classes at Heritage through NWACC, and students get these classes for free which won’t happen after they graduate.”

Concurrent classes are great for students who are attending college and want to save up money for their other expenses. Not only does it save you money but time as well. Once completing these classes it can be applied to an Associates degree, or a four year degree.

Although you don’t have to use the ACT scores, there are a variety of exams you can take, but I believe that Heritage high school doesn’t make an effort to push these exams for these students to take like they do with the ACT.

“This is not my situation personally but I would be frustrated if my February ACT scores didn’t

qualify for the concurrent classes, and I don’t think it’s fair for others who can’t afford it either, it’s frustrating,” said Brandon Sanchez (12) a student taking Concurrent English Composition.

Getting into these classes is already hard enough, so with this unavailable ACT score it has made it tougher. Some students who are aware are frustrated with the decision. Yet other students aren’t even aware of concurrent classes, or the February ACT, by the lack of exposure to the Accuplacer and other exams that are applicable to concurrent classes. These unaware students have a more limited chance to join these concurrent classes that can save them a lot of money and time to make their future success simpler.