Accreditation And Associate Degrees

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  October 19, 2016. Principal Rick Larsen informed the Board that the district is currently working on the accreditation program.  This evaluation must be done every five years.  In the past, the school district has worked with the North Western Accreditation Association.  However, this year, it is through the AdvancED Performance Accreditation Group.  High schools must be accredited in order for their credits to be accepted by higher education.

Work was begun on this accreditation program when school started and will continue to the end of this school year.  This gives the school a chance to see what they do and who they really are.  High schools are supposed to produce responsible students and have students career ready by graduation.   Larsen feels that Rich County is offering a world class education to the students who attend here.  The students here have more opportunities available to them than is given in almost any other school in the state.

The opportunity to earn an associate degree at the same time high school requirements are taken is possible.  A CNA degree along with the high school diploma is available.  The 900-hour automotive engineering robotics program is available at the same time high school is being completed.  There are five or six students who are getting this 900-hour certificate this coming year.  Students can earn up to 90 college credits prior to their high school graduation.  Very few schools have such programs and opportunities available to their students.

The School Board is responsible for one section of the accreditation form.  This needs to be taken care of, and it was suggested that the board set aside a work session after the November Board Meeting in order to begin filling in the necessary requirements from their vantage point to help complete the accreditation program requirements. 

Many of the opportunities available to Rich County students come through the Bridgerland association.  Currently there are more programs available for young men than women.  However, Bridgerland is working toward making a cosmetology program available in the near future. 

The robotics program is new and was available for the first time starting last year.  Mr. Taylor, the new student counselor, took the robotics students on a field trip to Autoliv Manufacturing Company in Logan, Utah.  The students, their advisors, and leaders said it was an incredible experience.  The tour took three hours.  The opportunities that are available to students in this area are fantastic. 

Bridgerland is getting a new building in Logan, funded by the legislature.  There are going to offer more opportunities in the health services area and a full RN program will be available.  Most of the programs currently handled by Bridgerland are high quality programs.

Principal Kip Motta noted that there is always a career day at Bridgerland that is very helpful and informational to students.  However, this day is usually scheduled near the end of school when all of the required testing is being given.  He asked if it would be possible to have Bridgerland have an earlier date for this kind of activity thereby allowing more schools to participate in this activity.  Eric. Wamsley, the Board representative to Bridgerland, said he would make that request to Bridgerland.