Joliet Junior College Dual Credit Program Fall 2008

1. Joliet Junior College Dual Credit Program Fall 2008 Your Future… Your Way…Your Community College

2. Dual Credit • It is a partnership between Joliet Junior College and the area high schools and career centers • Students can earn high school and college credit upon successful completion of the course(s) • It is intended for juniors and seniors but we do have some sophomores participate (CTE)

3. Where are courses offered? • Primarily at the high schools and career centers which include; 22 schools and 3 career centers (one career center is not in our region) • We have a unique dual credit model with one high school district in which classes are taught at the college (biology, fitness/athletic training and possibly chemistry)

4. Who teaches the courses? • High School Teachers with appropriate credentials. Academic/transfer vs. CTE For CTE Teachers they need to meet the same hiring qualifications as an adjunct faculty member of the college. Academic instructors have to have a masters degree in subject area. • Some of the high school teachers are already adjunct faculty members at the college

5. Types of Dual Credit Courses • Both academic and Career and Technical Education courses are offered as dual credit classes • CTE Classes include 16 different content areas (see sheet in packet) • Academic Courses include: English, Math, Spanish, Sociology, Psychology, History, Speech

6. Dual Credit Testing Requirements • Students wishing to take either English or Math Dual Credit classes must take the COMPASS test to ensure that they have the skills or abilities to pass the class • No testing requirements for CTE Classes prior to taking the class

7. Career and technical Education Dual Credit • Career and Technical Education Dual Credit courses prepare a student for a skill specific career and technical education program. • However the CTE Dual Credit class may count towards several different CTE Programs at the college (examples are CIS 126, Welding, Electronics, etc) • Career and Technical Education Dual Credit class can be applied to a certificate program, (certificate of completion or certificate of achievement) or an AAS degree program.

8. Tuition and Fees Structure • All Tuition and fees are waived for dual credit classes for both academic and CTE classes when the classes are taught by high school instructors • Textbooks are provided by the high schools. For CTE classes, the textbooks are the same that the college uses or they have to be approved by the Department Chair at the college. Same with course syllabus • For Academic/Transfer Dual Credit classes, the same textbook and course syllabus have to be used by the high schools

9. Credit and Grades • College Credit is awarded immediately upon successful completion of all Dual Credit courses • Students earn the same grade for both the high school and college class • No fee for grade transcript

10. Dual Credit Application Process • Students must complete the JJC online application • Students must complete the JJC class registration form (paper) • Students are held accountable for the same timelines as regular college students • Students are held to the same policies and procedures as a regular college student (example: withdrawal deadlines; academic caution)

11. Why Do Dual Credit • Students can receive college credit as well as high school credit at the same time • After graduation from high school, a student can begin his/her college career with prior experience regarding the college’s registration process, rules and regs, etc. • It saves the students time and money and allows them to complete college faster • College credit on a resume help students stand out to employers and other colleges, apprenticeship programs, etc. • CTE Courses can verify a marketable skill (welding) • Dollars (apportionment dollars)

12. The Down Side of Dual Credit • Poor grades and withdrawals remain on the college transcript • Students don’t always remember to notify the college that they have dropped the high school class or they have switched schools, etc • Future Financial Aid could be affected if students perform poorly. • Communication is difficult with all the schools and teachers to make sure process is followed

13. How are Dual Credit classes put in place for CTE offerings • Articulation Roundtables are held every 2 years for each content area unless college instructor wants them annually. Annual meeting will take place in content areas that require the most up to date software when needed (ex: Microsoft Office 07 or current CAD software versions) • High schools submit course syllabus prior to meeting so JJC faculty has time to review content

14. How are Dual Credit classes put in place for CTE offerings • Meetings are held in the late afternoons or evenings based on college faculty availability. • High School teachers receive CPDU’s for participation. • Overview of process takes 30-45 minutes, then we eat, then break into groups by content area and present course information and complete paperwork (copy in packet)

15. How are Dual Credit classes put in place for CTE offerings • Things to discuss at meetings include: • Course Content; course objectives; course competencies and time spent on specific tasks • Textbooks • Credentials of high school instructors • Seat time for high school class • Version of Software or equipment when appropriate • Policies and procedures

16. How Academic/Transfer dual credit classes are offered • Currently less formalized process than for CTE • Director of HS Relations and JJC Dept. Chair meets with HS Dept. Head and faculty at the high school to discuss HS course requests, review curriculum (including course objectives, text and syllabus) and discuss faculty qualifications • Dept Chair interviews/approves HS teacher to teach the class • Dual Credit policies/processes are discussed

17. Processing Registration Forms • Registration forms are received by fax, mail, or in-person drop off. • Each packet is reviewed and forms with issues are separated from the packet. Issues include • No SS# or JJC ID # or JJC ID #/SS# does not match what is in Datatel • JJC ID # does not belong to student • No demographics or demographics provided do not match what is in Datatel • No application on file • Starting 2008FL, if a student is on academic caution or academic probation the student will not be registered in any dual-credit class

18. Scope of dual credit Program • CTE Trans Totals • 2007FL 2007FL2007FL • 2,023 348 2,371 • 2008SP 2008SP2008SP • 2,689 249 2,938 • Grand Total for FY07/08 for CTE/transfer programs 5,309 students for the year • 6,231 cte credit hours for fall • 7,051 cte credit hours for spring

19. FUTURE DIRECTIONS • Dual Credit Specialist position • Dual Credit Handbook/procedure manual • Website • Outreach activities including additional in-service opportunities for high schools • Streamlined application/registration processes