EHHS doctoral candidate graduates from U of I’s dual credit instruction program

While teaching history and English language arts in a high school in Florida, Lorenzo Rene encountered many students who needed extra support, additional guidance or someone to help them get to the next level.

As the first graduate of University of Idaho’s Dual Credit Certificate in education, his goal is to teach college credit courses in high school while making sure his students have everything they need to thrive.

“High school students today are seeking more dual credit opportunities, but teachers need to be certified to teach those classes,” said Casie Moreland, U of I’s director of dual credit. “Our program is the only one in Idaho for credentialing teachers for dual credit instruction. This ensures they are prepared to support those students.”

Teaching life lessons

While teaching a U.S. history course in his home state of Florida two year ago, Rene inadvertently received an education about just how much extra help some students need. His school took in more than a dozen students who were refugees from Ukraine.

Most of the students didn’t speak English very well, if at all, and Rene knew they needed a support system if they were going to succeed.

“I tried to pair those students with a buddy who I thought could help them figure things out,” he said. “I knew they needed more help than what I could provide. I could try and teach them, but they needed others to help them with things I couldn’t.”

Rene enrolled in U of I’s Doctor of education program in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences because he wanted a change of scenery after spending 30 years living in Florida. He was also looking for a different way to teach. In addition to instructing his students, he wanted to make sure they also felt like someone cared about them.

While in Moscow, he’s explored different ways to connect with students. He recently published articles on supporting mental wellbeing for English language learners and using Indigenous storytelling in teaching.

He’s also working with U of I’s Naval ROTC program on a study involving the mental and social wellbeing of populations who are often transient.

As he works toward completing his doctorate program, which is expected December 2025, he’s convinced that his studies at U of I have given him the answers he was looking for.

“I want to create a safe space where I can talk to students not only about their studies but also about their home life and to make sure they are doing OK,” he said. “They aren’t just students – they’re humans and I want them to feel supported in my classroom.”

Duality

Dual credit courses in high school are more than just a great way for Idaho students to earn college credits before arriving on campus – they are also prepaid by the Idaho State Board of Education (ISBE).

“Every public high school student in Idaho has around $4,600 in credit available to them to essentially earn an associate degree by the time they graduate high school,” Moreland said. “But you have to be certified to teach dual credit courses, and not all Idaho high schools have certified teachers.”

U of I’s certificate program makes it easier for Idaho high school teachers without a graduate degree to obtain certification to teach a dual credit class for U of I – which is important because U of I’s dual credit program stipulates high school teachers must have the same credentials that U of I instructors need to teach a class for college credit.

Per U of I instruction regulations through the Higher Learning Commission, instructors are able to teach a U of I class as long as they are actively engaged in obtaining 18 hours of post-graduate experience in the field they wish to teach. This regulation also allows a U of I teaching assistant to instruct a course if they don’t have a graduate degree.

Reciprocally, regional Idaho high school students can take a class at U of I which will give them the same dual credits they would have received by taking the class in high school.

“We probably have around 100 high school students taking classes here on U of I campus right now,” Moreland said. “They’re getting college credit, as well as a head start on the college experience by being here.”

Popularity of dual credit courses is skyrocketing, with more prospective college students stating they would like to finish their degree as early as possible. According to Moreland, around 33% of high school students nationally are taking dual credit courses.

“Dual credit classes are changing the way students are educated – in Idaho and across the U.S.,” said Moreland, who noted a 250% increase in dual credit enrollment at U of I since 2021. “I think higher education needs to respond to what our future students are asking for.”