High School Based Programs

2011 - 2012

NWACC Early College Experience Student HandbookWhat are the benefits of the Early College Experience program?Students who take Early College Experience classes benefit from early exposure to college-level course work and study requirements. These students become better prepared for college when they graduate high school after completing college courses on their high school campus with the same rigor and standards of college courses on the NWACC campus.

How is the Early College Experience different from registering as a regular Concurrent student?Both choices allow a high school student to take college courses while still enrolled in high school. However, unlike regular concurrent students, who must leave their high school to attend classes on an NWACC campus, Early College Experience classes are offered on the high school campus during the regular school day and as part of the regular school schedule.

Are Early College Experience courses hard?Early College Experience courses are challenging because they are college courses. They have the same learning outcomes, study requirements, and textbooks as the courses offered on the NWACC campus.

How will I be evaluated on my Early College Experience coursework?You will be evaluated and receive a college-credit letter grade based on multiple and varied assignments, as laid out in the course syllabus, instead of just one high-stakes test at the end to determine college credit.

Who teaches Early College Experience courses?Normally, an Early College Experience course is taught by a full-time high school teacher who meets the same academic qualifications of an NWACC adjunct faculty member. NWACC may also deliver Early College Experience courses to the high school campus via Compressed Interactive Video (CIV) or online. CIV and online courses are taught by full-time or adjunct NWACC faculty. Classes on the NWACC campus or at the high schools are taught by instructors who meet at least the minimum standards of a Master’s degree with 18 graduate hours in their subject areas.

Will completing Early College Experience courses improve my ability to be accepted to the college of my choice?Credits earned through Early College Experience coursework enhance your progress toward a college degree. They most likely reduce the overall cost of college and should strengthen your chances of being accepted to the college of your choice.

What courses are available?Check with your high school counselor for a list of courses for the upcoming semester. Early College Experience courses are normally offered in English composition and mathematics, but courses in history, science, communications, and accounting are offered as well.

Are teachers required to use NWACC syllabi, textbooks, and departmental exams? Yes. You will receive a syllabus that is identical or very similar to the syllabus of your course taught on the NWACC campus. The textbook is the same as that required for courses taught on the NWACC campus. Where applicable, any NWACC departmental exam required for the course will be given.

How do I qualify to begin Early College Experience courses?Requirement One is a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average. You may request a waiver of this requirement if you don’t have a 3.0 GPA. The waiver form is available in the counseling office and MUST have your reason for requesting the waiver. It is subject to approval by the NWACC Early College Experience office.

Requirement Two is college-level placement test scores on the ACT, SAT, or COMPASS in the subject area of the class you wish to take. OR you may use the PLAN, PSAT, or EXPLORE if your score predicts college-level placement in the subject area.

The test score requirement is Arkansas State Law and CANNOT be waived. Your acceptable placement test score report MUST be dated BEFORE classes begin.

Requirement Three is approval by your counselor. If you’re under 18 at the time of registration, your parent or guardian must also approve.

How do I qualify to continue with Early College Experience courses?You must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in high school, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in your NWACC coursework, and pass any pre-requisite courses with a C or better.

What is a pre-requisite? A pre-requisite is a course that must be completed successfully in order to take another course. For example, English Composition II requires a pre-requisite of English Composition I.

What placement test score is required?For English Composition I, one of the following minimum scores is required: • ACTEnglish 19 • COMPASSWriting 75 • SATWriting 480 • PSATWriting 48 • PLANEnglish 16 • EXPLOREEnglish 14

For College Algebra, one of the following minimum scores is required: • ACTMath 21 • COMPASSAlgebra 65 • SATMath 500 • PSATMath 50plusAlgebraIIwithaCorbetter • PLANMath 21plusAlgebraIIwithaCorbetter

For all other college-level courses, one of the following minimum scores is required: • ACTReading 19 • COMPASSReading 82 • SATCriticalReading 480 • PSATCriticalReading 48 • PLANReading 15 • EXPLOREReading 14

You may enroll in Trigonometry or Finite Math with one of the following: • ACTMath:24-28 • COMPASSCollegeAlgebra:46orhigher • CompletionofCollegeAlgebrawithaCorbetter

Where can I take the COMPASS test? What is the cost?You may take the COMPASS test on the NWACC campus. The hours for the Testing Center are posted on-line at http://www.nwacc.edu/LDC/testingcenter/index.php. The cost to take the COMPASS test is ten dollars. Your high school MAY offer the COMPASS test on your campus. Check with your counselor.

How do I register for a course?Visit with your high school counselor to pick up a registration form. You should complete this form, sign it, and turn it in at the time of registration. If you are under 18 when the semester begins, your parent or guardian must also sign the form.

Early College Experience registration normally takes place soon after high school classes begin.

Can I take the course without registering as an NWACC Early College Experience student?No. Only registered Early College Experience students may take Early College Experience courses.

Are Early College Experience courses accredited?NWACC is regionally accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships.

What is the cost? Currently, NWACC provides a scholarship to each Early College Experience student equal to ½ the tuition plus another scholarship equal to all the administrative fees associated with NWACC courses. After the scholarship is applied, the final cost per Early College Experience student is less than ½ of the cost per student on the NWACC campus.

Will I receive a bill?NWACC invoices your high school for the tuition. You will not receive a bill from NWACC. Check with your counselor to see if your high school collects payment from you.

Is it possible to withdraw for a refund?The academic calendar is published on the NWACC website. Early College Experience courses follow this calendar as closely as possible. The refund time periods are posted on the calendar. Remember that any refund will be sent directly to your high school, so you would need to check with your counselor about the high school’s refund policy.

Will my grade appear on an NWACC transcript?Yes. Your NWACC transcript does not differentiate between Early College Experience courses and courses taken on the NWACC campus.

Can I transfer my Early College Experience courses to another college?You can expect the credits earned through Early College Experience to transfer to most colleges and universities. Standard practice of most colleges and universities is to accept transfer credit on a case-by-case basis. You should contact the college or university you plan to attend to verify its transfer policy.

How do I transfer my Early College Experience courses to another college?You must request an official copy of your NWACC transcript to be sent to that college. A PDF file of the request form can be found at www.nwacc.edu. Click on Current Students and then click on Transcript Request. Print out the form, and follow the instructions on it. There is no charge.

What is my NWACC Student ID number?Your ID number is listed on the course roster, your transcript, and most correspondence you receive from NWACC. You will not need your ID number to use your NWACC email.

Do I have an email account through NWACC?You may, depending on the course. HOWEVER, your instructors may or may not use your NWACC email account to communicate with you.

If you’re enrolled in a CIV (video-based) course, you will definitely need to set up your NWACC email account. Your instructor will be using it to communicate with you and other NWACC students.

How do I access My NWACC Connection?• Gotowww.nwacc.edu• ClickonMy NWACC Connection in the bottom-right corner• Enteryourusernameandpassword,thenclickonLog in• Changeyourpassword,asprompted.• WelcometoMyNWACCConnection!

My NWACC Connection gives you access to NWACC resources such as email, library, etc.

How do I get a copy of my grades?You may request a transcript from NWACC, using the transcript request form mentioned earlier. Or you may use My NWACC Connection to view an unofficial copy of final grades.

Do I have access to other NWACC services? Yes. You have access to career planning services at http://www.nwacc.edu/LDC/careerservices/index.php. Also free tutoring, if needed at https://www.nwacc.edu/labs/learninglab/index.php

How do I get an NWACC ID card?You will need to come to the NWACC campus. Come to the Library on the first floor of Burns Hall.

Can I use the NWACC library?Yes, you have full access to the NWACC library. You will need an NWACC ID card to use the library. You may access library resources and materials through My NWACC Connection. The library website is at https://www.nwacc.edu/library/index.php

Student Conduct, Responsibilities, and RightsThe philosophy and tenets of student rights and responsibilities are listed in the Student Handbook section of the NWACC Catalog. Please review them.

Academic DishonestyStudents are expected to do their own work. Do not resort to finding a shortcut to doing the work. Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated. The college policy on academic dishonesty is in the NWACC Student Handbook and Daily Planner.

PlagiarismPlagiarism results when a student presents the words or ideas of someone else as if they were his/her own. If the words of someone other than the writer are reproduced without acknowledgment of the source or if someone else’s ideas are paraphrased in such a way that leads the reader to believe they originated with the writer, then plagiarism has occurred.

Plagiarism can be either intentional or unintentional. Intentional plagiarism is the knowing, deliberate copying, downloading or buying of information with the intent of passing it off as original work from the writer. Intentional plagiarism is a very serious form of academic dishonesty that can lead to suspension from school. Unintentional plagiarism is the misrepresentation of information through ignorance or carelessness.

It is the responsibility of all NWACC students to understand what plagiarism is and to learn the proper methods of documentation so as to avoid this form of academic dishonesty.

Request for Survey ParticipationTo receive and maintain NACEP accreditation mentioned earlier in this handbook, NWACC must survey current and former Early College Experience students. Please help us by completing all surveyswhenrequested!

How do I purchase my textbooks for an Early College Experience class?First, check with you counselor to find out if your high school has made arrangements to have textbooks delivered there for you to purchase.

You may also come to the NWACC bookstore to purchase your textbook. The bookstore staff can assist you in finding the correct book.

Or you may order your textbook online: 1. Go to www.nwacc.edu 2. Click on Current Students 3. Click on Bookstore 4. ClickonTextbooks 5. SelectTerm,Department,Course,andSection 6. ClickonAdd course 7. Repeatsteps5-8forothercoursesyouwillbetaking 8. Click on Check out 9. YoumayeithercreateapersonalaccountwiththebookstorebyclickingRegister then completing the form, or you can check out as a Guest User by completing the Guest User section and clicking Continue 10. Complete the requested shipping and payment information

For More InformationForquestionsaboutEarlyCollegeExperience,contacttheprogramdirectorat(479)725-4688,by email at earlycollege@nwacc.edu or visit our website at www.nwacc.edu/earlycollege