Several students at Coupeville High School are helping others and earning college credit at the same time.

The Coupeville School District is partnering with Eastern Washington University to allow some students to get teaching experience through tutoring fellow students.

“They train students to serve students as tutors in reading and math,” said Pat Range, special services director for the Coupeville School District.

Approximately 15 students participated in the training session for the class, called Direct Instruction, held recently at the high school. Students will work with other students individually or in a small group or assist teachers in the classroom.

Principal Sheldon Rosenkrance said staff is in the process of lining up kids who need help.

Eastern Washington University is providing all of the training materials for the class and it provides students with a chance to earn college credit without having to go through the Running Start program, where high school students attend community college classes.

“It gives them a leg up for college,” Range said.

The students teaching in the program will earn an occupational credit, which is a benefit as the high school in recent years has struggled to offer enough classes to meet the school’s graduation requirement that students earn two credits in occupational classes.