DAY 14: Dual Credit: Learn Once, Earn Twice

Dual credit plays an instrumental role in career and technical education by lessening time to completion, allowing students to explore career options and interests, or even completing a credential or certificate before they graduate high school.  In the last few years, the ICCB has supported the development, enhanced delivery, and evaluation of local dual credit programs through grants funded by Perkins leadership dollars. Colleges have been encouraged to create and implement innovative strategies and practices for new dual credit offerings based upon student needs and local partnerships. They are to also engage secondary and postsecondary faculty in curriculum alignment, to support the recruitment efforts of qualified faculty to teach dual credit and to provide professional development for dual credit instructors. This year the ICCB funded 20 community colleges through the Dual Credit Enhancement Grant. Here are what a few community colleges are up to:

College of Lake County piloted a new online model of dual credit for their local high school, allowing qualified CLC instructors to teach the classes. While the bulk of the instruction was online, students did travel to CLC’s campus for orientation, proctored exams, and to meet with instructors. Cost of transportation was covered as part of the program for each student. The pilot concluded in December 2016 and the college is currently putting together an informational dual credit brochure as a future marketing tool. 

Lake Land College Career Academy will offer programs in Computer Troubleshooting and Computer Technician at the Mattoon, IL campus. Lake Land College’s Director of Dual Credit presented the new Career Academy programs at the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting and Career Academy information day is set for Thursday, February 23 for Principals, dual credit coordinators, counselors, teachers, parents and students from secondary schools in the district.

South Suburban College is using their Dual Credit Enhancement Grant to engage local high schools in conversations around articulation in dual credit courses. SSC’s first partnership is with Thornton High School, focusing on the Navistar Diesel courses. The overall objective is to articulate several of SSC’s business courses with two of the high school’s year-long courses. Currently, college staff working with dual credit liaisons and secondary faculty from Thornton, as well as two other secondary districts to finalize the list of ongoing dual credit courses. 

SAVE THE DATE!

Tuesday, May 9th, 10:00-11:00 a.m.: The Illinois Community College Board will be hosting a Dual Credit Webinar. More information and registration will be forthcoming!