CE Classes FAQ
Got a question about how Concurrent Enrollment works? Here's pretty much everything you need to know.
What's the definition of Career Academies and Concurrent Enrollment?
Career Academies offer a planned sequence of courses (starting in high school) which will help students achieve their goals within a variety of educational programs. At least one or more courses within a career academy is in a Career and Technical program of study at Southeastern Community College (SCC).
Concurrent Enrollment courses come from the arts and sciences offerings at SCC.
For any of these SCC courses, students fill out an application for admission to SCC and are awarded SCC student privileges. Courses may be offered at an SCC Center or in an area high school setting.
How do the college courses within the Career Academies or Concurrent Enrollment Courses differ from PSEO (for ICN and internet courses) and PACE (Post-secondary Accelerated Credit Experience) courses?
Under PSEO and PACE, a student makes an individual decision to drop into an existing college credit course. That course would be taught if there were no high school students participating. In Career Academies and Concurrent Enrollment Courses, the courses offered for SCC credit are created specifically for high school students. (Community members may enroll if space permits.)
What are the advantages of students enrolling in these SCC college credit courses?
For School Districts:
- Districts are able to offer students quality advanced educational opportunities close to home.
- These offerings can assist high schools in meeting state requirements for career and technical programs at the high school level.
- Partnerships between K-12's and SCC provide opportunities for numerous innovative and collaborative efforts to benefit Southeast Iowa.
- Schools may receive additional state funding for students who participate, if they are eligible.
For Students:
- They save time and money with the chance to get a jump start on college.
- They gain experiences that lead directly to degrees, diplomas, certification and/or apprenticeship.
- They receive SCC privileges, including use of the library and free admission to Blackhawk Basketball games and other sporting events.
- They have increased opportunities to earn scholarships from SCC and other colleges or universities.
- Courses are taught by SCC instructors, most of whom have had extensive employment experience in their field of expertise.
How are the SCC college credit course offerings determined?
Offerings are determined in a variety of ways. High school personnel give input on the type of offerings they would like to see for students, SCC faculty and administration present options to school districts, and business and industry partners identify their needs for a trained workforce. As an example, Southeast Iowa Builders Association has been a very active partner, encouraging high schools and SCC to offer curriculum leading to a degree and/or apprenticeship.
Who teaches the SCC courses?
SCC hires instructors to teach the SCC college credit courses. Each instructor must meet the community college credential requirements. Instructors may be an existing SCC faculty member, an adjunct SCC instructor, or a high school teacher who meets all of the credential requirements.
What about the curriculum for the SCC courses taught?
The curriculum/textbook, etc. is the same as what is taught in the traditional college courses. These courses are open to community members, if space permits.
Who pays for the courses?
School districts in the region fund these opportunities for their students. If a district has minimum requirements for participation and a student doesn't meet that requirement, an option for students to pay on their own may be possible. Students and parents should check with their local districts for clarification, if applicable.
Districts may receive additional funding based upon the percentage of time a student participates in a college credit course under a 28E agreement. Each district is responsible for reporting students (on their annual certified enrollment form) who may be eligible under the supplemental weighted funding guidelines.
Don't see what you're looking for? Check with your high school guidance counselor or contact Monica Hinkle, SCC's Director of High School Relations. They'll be glad to help.
