Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Parent decries dual enrollment rules

Stephen Plotnick lives in Prospect Heights, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, and is considering a move to Portales to allow his son to enroll in Eastern New Mexico University’s nationally respected forensic anthropology program.

But there is a problem, Plotnick said.

His son, Jacob, is 13 and exceptionally bright, and the elder Plotnick said Jacob should have a normal high school experience, along with college study at his young age. He believes Portales Municipal Schools’ policy on “dual enrollment” classes that generate both high school and college credit would be an impediment because it requires a student be at least a sophomore before participating.

Stephen Plotnick said this policy violates Jacob’s right to a free, appropriate public education.

Plotnick said last year, Jacob, as a seventh grader, scored 1460 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. While Harvard University does not currently require standardized test score submission, niche.com notes that 1460 score in pre-pandemic years would be Harvard-worthy for a high school junior or senior.

Further, Stephen Plotnick said, Jacob’s IQ has been measured at 145, which would place Jacob among the “profoundly gifted,” in the 99.9th percentile, the 1-in-1000 category.

Plotnick said he and his son visited the ENMU campus over the summer and everyone they contacted was enthusiastic about allowing Jacob to enroll. University officials would not confirm or deny the visit details, citing confidentiality restrictions.

Despite any interest ENMU may have, Plotnick said the Portales school system is presenting an obstacle that he said violates Jacob’s educational rights.

Johnnie Cain, superintendent of Portales schools, confirmed that the school system will hold to its policy requiring sophomore status for dual enrollment classes. And even then, he said, students must demonstrate they are gifted. Most of the district’s dual enrollment students, Cain said, start in their junior years.

State dual enrollment rules state a high school student may take no more than two college courses per semester.

The New Mexico Public Education Department website states students “have to meet the eligibility requirements for New Mexico dual credit program participation established by (their) high school and the postsecondary institution.”

In other words, local rules apply, and the Portales school system may set its own policy.

Portales and ENMU are among many options Plotnick said he is considering for Jacob’s education.

Even if he and Jacob decide not to make the New Mexico move, “we can help the next kid in Jacob’s position (with our efforts).”

 
 
Rendered 03/12/2024 20:04