Education leaders meet at NFCC to discuss new high school dual enrollment standards and offerings

3-12-10   

MADISON, FL – North Florida Community College personnel met with education leaders from NFCC’s six-county district recently to discuss new standards and opportunities in the high school dual enrollment program – a program that allows eligible high school students to take college level courses, free of tuition charges, while still in high school. NFCC shared information about NFCC’s Early College Institute, vocational dual enrollment, the Dual Enrollment/Early College Programs Statement of Standards, changes in vendor of postsecondary readiness assessment, and NFCC’s new dual enrollment application.

            According to NFCC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Sharon Erle, NFCC has set up a system through its new Early College Institute that better guides high school dual enrollment students through the course selection and course sequence process; starting students out with less rigorous courses that also meet course prerequisites before moving to higher level classes.

            “The NFCC Early College Institute gives high school students in our district the opportunity to earn up to 37 credit hours prior to high school graduation,” said Dr. Sharon Erle, Dean of Academic Affairs at NFCC. “The curriculum is a mix of general education courses as well as electives, some online delivery as well as face-to-face.”

            Three separate dual enrollment tracks will be offered during NFCC’s summer term beginning July 6. Dual enrollment students are not limited to these tracks or specific courses, but could benefit from the structured course plan. NFCC will also offer online courses during the fall and spring semesters that are specifically developed for dual enrollment students.

            “The information was well received,” said Mary Anne Wheeler, NFCC Dean of Enrollment Services. “We were able to network and discuss the many facets of high school dual enrollment and ways to better serve our students.” 

            Representatives from NFCC’s six-county district were represented at the meeting, including school personnel from Aucilla Christian Academy, Branford High School, Hamilton County High School, Jefferson County High School, Lafayette High School, Madison County High School, Suwannee High School and Taylor County High School.

            For more information on NFCC’s dual enrollment program, contact NFCC Dean of Enrollment Services Mary Anne Wheeler at (850) 973-1605 or wheelerm@nfcc.edu, or NFCC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Sharon Erle at (850) 973-1603 or erled@nfcc.edu. For more information visit www.nfcc.edu.