Southeastern NEWS
                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504-549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
                                           
    Date: June 9, 2000
      Contact:                           Rene Abadie     64


SOUTHEASTERN-ST. TAMMANY SCHOOL SYSTEM SIGN COURSE
AGREEMENTS

     HAMMOND   Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and the St. Tammany Parish
School Board signed agreements Wednesday (June 7) that will allow public high school students
in the parish to earn college credit for selected academic courses.
     "These agreements represent a significant milestone for the students of St. Tammany Parish,
who now can get a head start on their college careers while still in high school," said
Southeastern President Sally Clausen, who signed the agreements at the university with Leonard
P. Monteleone, superintendent of St. Tammany Parish Schools.
     Under the agreements, students at St. Tammany Parish public high schools can be awarded
college credit at Southeastern after successfully completing the specified high school course
work and an examination at the university. The high school course content will be determined by
the school system in collaboration with the various Southeastern academic departments.
     The Southeastern courses that can be earned in the high schools include Introduction to
Computing, Microcomputer and BASIC Programming, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Medical
Terminology, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Introduction to Public Speaking, and Education for
Teacher Aides. Previous agreements between Southeastern and St. Tammany Parish School
System include courses in drafting and design, office administration and career planning.
     Southeastern Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Randy Moffett said the
agreements are another example of the university's partnership with area schools.
      "Ten years ago, we probably would not have been able to do a project like this," he said.
"The barriers between educational systems are being relaxed, so that students now can use the
work and  knowledge they gain in high school to earn college credit."
        Calling it a "win-win situation for all parties," Monteleone emphasized the many benefits
students will derive from the program. "We can never forget that students are our real customers,
and anything we can do to assist them in obtaining their educational goals is a step forward," he
said.
     "These agreements will help bridge the gap between high school and college, give our
students a valuable head start on their college careers, provide an additional incentive for them to
go to college, and help them become more focused on their education," Monteleone said. 
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp00.htm