Earning College Credit While in High School

David W. Carter and H. Grady Spruce High School Counselors

Saturday, October 31, 2015

What will be discussed in today’s session:

Advanced Placement (AP) Dual Credit Concurrent Enrollment Cost: AP and Dual Credit

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program sponsored by the College Board.

Participation in the program gives students an opportunity to take college level courses while still in high school.

Advanced Placement (AP)AP courses teach skills that can lead to college success. 

• writing skills development• problem-solving techniques• effective study habits

  Taking AP courses let colleges and universities know your commitment to academic excellence.

Advanced Placement (AP)• There are over 30 separate exams tied to AP

courses given in schools. Some include:

Biology, Calculus AB, English Literature & Composition, World History, Music Theory and Spanish Language

• The exams are usually taken by students who have completed the related AP course in school.

Advanced Placement (AP)• AP Exams are standardized tests that provide

students with a measure of what they’ve accomplished in the AP classroom.

• Exams are given at schools each year in May.

• AP exam scores are used by colleges to either award credit or to place students in more advanced courses.

Pre AP Courses:

Pre-AP courses prepare students for the rigors of the AP course. 

Pre-AP enrollment is not required to be in an AP course, but it is very beneficial.

Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment

Dual Credit • Dual Credit Programs are instructional

partnerships between a public school district, a private secondary school or a home school and the college.

• Course credit is provided to high school students for both high school and college credit. College credit may be for certificate or associate degree programs.

Concurrent Enrollment• Enrollment by a high school student in one of the

DCCCD colleges while still enrolled in high school

• Enrollment by the same student in two different colleges of the DCCCD at the same time

• Enrollment in both a college of the DCCCD and another college or university at the same time

• Enrollment in both credit (CR) and continuing education (CE) courses at the same time

Benefits of Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment for

Students• Earn transferable college credit as early as the

eleventh grade. • Shorten time to degree completion at either

the community college OR the university.• Receive waived tuition for DUAL CREDIT

courses.

Benefits of Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment for

Students

• Dual Credit courses can be used to fulfill high school graduation requirements; including the Distinguished Achievement Program.

• Use of campus learning resources such as the library, computer labs, career placement, and learning skills improvement/tutoring services at no cost.

Student Eligibility for Dual Credit

• A designate will have a conversation with prospective students so that expectations of college readiness issues are clarified.

• Students must meet all appropriate college admissions criteria.

• Students must fulfill all prerequisite requirements as required to enroll in a dual credit course.

Student Eligibility for Dual Credit

Students must satisfy Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements prior to enrolling in a dual

credit course.

The tests used by colleges to assess students for Texas Success Initiative (TSI) purposes which include reading, mathematics and writing.

Assessments may vary by institution.

Student Eligibility for Dual Credit

If certain qualifying standards are met on the SAT, the ACT or the STAAR English II EOC (End of Course Exam), a student may be TSI exempt from all or parts of the state mandated exam.

Student Eligibility for Dual Credit

• SAT – 1070 math and verbal combined, with a minimum of 500 or higher on either of the two tests

• ACT – 23 composite, with 19 or higher on math and/or English

Student Eligibility for Dual Credit

High school students may enroll in two dual credit courses per semester but may be permitted to enroll in more than two courses if recommended by the high school principal and under one of the following conditions:

Student Eligibility for Dual Credit

Achieve a minimum 3.00 GPA on at least two college courses taken in previous semesters; or

Prove that they have passed all sections of TSI tests; or

Prove their eligibility to be TSI exempt based upon ACT, or SAT as approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

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What are the Costs of AP courses?

$92.00 for each exam

$10.00 or more for exam scores

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What are the costs for college courses?Dallas County residents: $177.00 per three hour course

Out of county residents:$333.00 per three hour course.

InIn

Passing Rates:AP Exams 44%- 3 OR BETTER

Dual Credit Courses:85%- C or better

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DCCCD Campuses

Dual Credit courses are offered at all seven of the Dallas County Community Colleges..

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Rising Star Programprovides qualified high school graduating seniors with 2 years of college tuition and books.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduate from a Dallas County public high school

Meet guidelines for financial help as established by the Dallas Community College District

Graduate in the top 40% of your class OR graduate with a “B” average OR pass a DCCCD assessment test.

Applications available on DCCCD website at:

www.dcccd.edu

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DCCCD Foundation Scholarships

There are a number of DCCCD Foundation Scholarships available to current and potential students of the Dallas County Community Colleges.

You can browse a list of the scholarships on the DCCCD Foundation web page at:

http://www.dcccd.edu/fdn/scholarships/

scholarships.html

YOU CAN EVEN APPLY ON-LINE !!!

Want more information?

Additional information about today’s presentation can be obtained from your

campus School Counselor.