This year, Huntington Park High School introduced the National Education Equity Lab program, giving students a unique opportunity to take college courses from prestigious universities such as Brown and Howard University, all while earning college credit without leaving campus.
One of the courses offered through the National Education Equity program is Data Science & Analytics, taught by Howard University. The teacher overseeing this course, Ms. Bermudez shared insights on what makes this program different from other options like dual enrollment and AP classes, which are also offered on campus
“This is my first time overseeing a course like this,” Ms. Bermudez explained. “The biggest difference is that students actually meet live with the college professor on a scheduled basis. Unlike dual enrollment courses through community colleges, where interaction with professors can be limited, this program allows for direct engagement between students and the university instructors.”
In contrast to AP courses, where teachers at our school control the curriculum and students prepare for a standardized test, courses through National Education Equity Lab are entirely led by college professors and their TA’s. Bermudez acts as an overseer, monitoring student work but not teaching the course material. Students earn college credit by passing the course, eliminating the need for AP exams. The benefits for students are clear.
“Students gain early exposure to real college-level expectations and see that they can succeed in a rigorous academic setting,”
Ms. Bermudez says in response to what opportunities students gain by taking this course.
Bringing prestigious courses to campus means expanding access to college-level education, as they prepare for higher education and beyond.
Written by Wendy Sanchez, Features editor