By Mike Chambers
Correspondent
TRENTON, Ga. -- Josh Ingle begins his first year as principal of Dade County High School this fall. Coming with him will be a new partnership with Chattanooga State Community College, one that could be planting several educational opportunities for both entities.
Almost two dozen rising seniors have signed on with a dual enrollment program that will satisfy their requirements for senior English in high school and build college credit at the same time.
Mr. Ingle said it's hoped the program will keep highly motivated students interested and learning, not just "taking a course to take a course."
The new principal is a native of Trion, Ga., who came to Dade from Walker County and worked at Dade Elementary before moving to the high school as vice principal and now the school leader.
Mr. Ingle said Dade has been identified as a "persistently low-performing school" under state requirements and thus was eligible for a grant that will help pay for the Chattanooga State partnership program.
Students will telecommute from the school to take the dual-enrollment courses.
He said that participation could grow beyond English courses. And it could boost Chattanooga State's attempts at a grant of its own for $500,000, a grant to in turn expand its rural schools efforts.
Potentially, Chattanooga State then could expand to include a computer lab at Dade County High where students could take additional courses online or live via web cam.
Dade County officials have looked into adding automobile mechanics to their educational mix, but could not work around the requirement for a $300,000 capital expenditure to complete the program.
But school leaders and Dade County School Superintendent Patti Priest look potentially to plow even more ground.
"The partnership could lead to bigger and better things," she said, noting that Chattanooga State and Volkwagen are sharing training efforts.
Mike Chambers is based in Dade County. Contact him at chambers@tvn.net.
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Article: Ingle to head Dade County High