A graduate student looking at researching dual credit programs in Nebraska asked me the following questions to help guide their research. We agreed that it is okay to share the questions and my responses.
Who makes decisions
about dual credit?
The Superintendent, the
guidance counselor, the teacher, and the dual credit coordinator at the
college. In some cases, the college needs to get instructor approval from the
department chair.
What would you change
about the current dual credit program?
College tuition should be
free for high school students if they earn a C or better in the class. The
students should be placed in courses that are appropriate for their performance
level and college/career goals as part of their high school program. If the
appropriate coursework is in an early entry college, then why should they have
to pay for that course?
Who are the leaders in
the process?
The school administration
and guidance counselors have the greatest role in determining the success and
participation in dual credit programs.
Do parents play a role
in the success of dual credit students?
The parent’s ability to
pay the tuition does factor in the number of students that take dual credit
courses.
What about mentors?
Teachers can make or break
a dual credit class. Dual credit teachers with good class numbers advocate for
their class and recruit or encourage students to sign up for dual credit.
Are there other
leaders who should be involved in dual credit to make the process more
successful for the student?
That depends on if the
course is taught by a dual credit certified high school teacher in the school
building or by a college instructor teaching on-line or through distance
learning. If taught by high school staff, then the supports are the same as any
other course. If taught by a college instructor, then there needs to be better
communication between the instructor and the high school counselor.
The college?
Communication on grades
can be a problem. College instructors are not willing to share grade information
with the high school personnel.
How are the dual
credit courses delivered- TV, web conferencing, online only, face-to-face?
Our students take dual
credit courses in a number of ways- face to face, online, through 2-way
interactive video (Zoom).
Where are these
courses held, at the high school or at the college?
The face-to-face courses
are usually at the high school, although we do have some students travel to the
college and some travel to the Career Academy location currently in Beemer, NE.
How do you measure
preparedness in high school students for dual credit courses?
For the Math and English
courses, the college has a minimum ACT score and/or Accuplacer score. For the
other courses, we use instructor recommendations
What steps do you use
to ensure quality of your dual credit courses?
The college provides the
course syllabus which the teacher follows. Teachers meet with college officials
yearly to discuss course content. One college sends someone out to observe the
classes once a semester.
What if the
students/instructor find the students are not prepared part of the way through
the course?
Students can withdraw from
the college class just as any other college student can do.
What makes your dual
credit courses more affordable?
Students can apply for an
ACE scholarship through the State of Nebraska, which is based on financial
need. The school district also provides academic scholarships for dual credit
students.
How is that cost
absorbed?
If the course is taught by
our high school teachers, the college will reimburse the high school for use of
the teacher up to a certain dollar amount.
Should the state fund
dual credit? Yes
Who should the funding responsibility fall
upon?
The state should increase
the amount for ACE scholarships so that there is enough funding to provide
scholarships to all students that choose to take dual credit courses. That
amount has been reduced over the past five years.
What would you change
about the current dual credit program?
I believe that more dual
credit courses need to be offered in high schools. Eighty percent of high
school students should graduate with some dual credit.
Why? The high cost of college means that many students take on a large
amount of loan debt. The dual credit program can decrease the number of general
education courses taken in college and shorten the time needed to complete a
college degree. Dual credit is also a good way to transition students into
college work.
