Understanding Dual Enrollment Classes: A Guide for High School Students
Dual enrollment programs offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credits alongside their high school education. These programs can be a valuable pathway for students looking to get a head start on their higher education and even potentially save on college costs. However, the specifics of how dual enrollment works can vary significantly from one school district to another. In some districts, these programs can be highly regulated, with strict guidelines and requirements. In this article, we will explore how dual enrollment works in our school district in Florida.
How Dual Enrollment Works in Our School District, Florida
Our school district in Florida has a dual enrollment program specifically for 12th-grade students. To be eligible, students must be in their senior year and cannot participate in earlier grades. This program allows students to take college courses at two local universities and community colleges. However, the courses offered must not be parallel to those available as Advanced Placement (AP) at the high school level. For example, if a school offers AP Chemistry, students cannot enroll in the General Chemistry course at a university because it is equivalent to the high school AP Chemistry course. Instead, they can take more advanced courses like Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Material Chemistry, provided they have completed the prerequisites.
Participation and Classes
As part of the dual enrollment program, all course work is conducted in person at the university, in regular classes alongside university students. Due to the pandemic, online dual enrollment options may have been limited or unavailable.
The approval process for dual enrollment courses is rigorous. Prior to enrollment, students must gain approval from the high school, the dual-enrollment district coordinator, and the university's dual-enrollment office. Typically, these entities hold meetings with the student and parents to discuss the plans and ensure that the student is ready for this challenging experience.
Credit Hours and Limitations
High school students can only take a limited number of college credit hours per semester. Specifically, they are limited to 9 credit hours per semester. This means that the total amount of college credit hours they can earn through dual enrollment is a maximum of 18 throughout their high school career.
Tuition and Materials
One of the most appealing aspects of dual enrollment is the cost. College courses taken under this program are free for high school students, with no fees charged. In addition, all required textbooks are provided by the university book store and can be borrowed free of charge. These textbooks must be returned at the end of the semester, ensuring a low barrier to entry for participating students.
Impact on High School Graduation
While dual enrollment can offer significant benefits, including the ability to earn college credits and potentially save on future tuition costs, it is not typically used to fulfill high school graduation requirements. This is because the courses taken under the dual enrollment program are college-level courses and do not meet the high school course requirements. However, these credits are shown on the student's transcript, and the grades received are included in the high school GPA with a weighted score of 1.
Talking to Your Guidance Counselor
To get detailed information about how dual enrollment works at your school, you should talk to your high school guidance counselor. They can provide you with the specific details about the program at your school, help you understand the eligibility requirements, and advise you on how to participate in dual enrollment if it is available to you.