Dear Dori

Dear Dori,

My daughter has been coming home asking to take a college class. She is still in high school. Can she do that? What if she isn’t academically ready?

Sincerely,

They-grow-up-too-fast

Dual credit classes have been available for about 10 years, but thanks to some new state initiatives, more and more students are considering these options.

First, let me clarify some terminology. Dual credit classes are college-level classes that are offered to high school students. These classes allow high school students, who are ready, to take a college-level class. Many high schools, including Broadus, allow students time during their day to complete this work. The student receives credit from both schools. For example, taking College Algebra earns 3 credits for college and completes a half year of math credit for high school. The grade will appear on both transcripts.

Another term you might hear used is Concurrent Enrollment. Concurrent Enrollment courses are college courses taking place in the high school, during the school day, taught by high school faculty. We also offer these types of classes here in Broadus. Examples are chemistry, welding, painting, and drawing. Our students must maintain a grade of C or higher and complete the entire year to qualify.

One drawback to Dual Credit or Concurrent Enrollment classes is the grading. These classes cover college-level material. If the student earns a C, that grade will go on two transcripts: high school and college. A “C” in college is one thing, but a “C” in high school may hurt a student’s cumulative GPA.

One BIG reason to consider these classes now is a new initiative funded by the State of Montana called “One Two Free”. Any high school student who takes a college class in high school, online, or on a college campus can do so for FREE (up to 6 credits). For example, Montana State University in Bozeman charges an in-state rate of $870 for a three credit class (tuition and fees). Families who are currently paying these prices for college classes can see what an amazing opportunity this is for our students! Many colleges are creating new scholarships for students who have taken dual credit classes through them. For example, Miles Community College has a Pioneer Promise Scholarship of $1,000 that they give to any student who has completed two dual credit classes from them with a grade of “C” or higher. This translates into two free classes and scholarship money for future classes!

How will you know if your son or daughter is ready to try a college class? Each college has different ways to evaluate this. For most colleges, a minimum ACT score is needed. But some students have not taken this test yet, while others did not reach this minimum score. In these cases, colleges will allow a separate test, called the Accuplacer, which is often given online. Some students take only a part of this test (like math to qualify for a math class, or reading to take a psychology class). Others can opt to take the complete Accuplacer and then choose a class if they qualify for more than one. When students’ scores are lower, there are remedial math and writing classes (still required by colleges) to take before getting into the college level material. Taking those remedial classes now for free might allow the students to be where they need to be when they leave for college in the future.

I have worked with several colleges across the state to help students find classes that fit their schedules and interests. Most colleges in Montana offer online, Dual Credit classes. Even colleges out-of-state offer significant discounts to high school students. Getting a head start on college can mean graduating early and saving thousands of dollars!

Spring and summer classes are opening for enrollment soon. If students are considering these kinds of classes, now is the time to start planning, testing, and registering for classes.