Chuck Hughes, Salisbury, N.C.
♦ Recently, I was asked several questions about “Early College” at the monthly Saturday GOP breakfast. I answered them to the best of my ability, yet I required some additional information. This morning I have more complete information.
Q 1: What are the college class opportunities for our 9-12? Can they outside of the Early College and do they have to get them on their own time?
A: All RSSS juniors and seniors who meet the minimum academic requirements for RCCC can take community college classes for dual enrollment. This can be completed during school hours or after school hours. Some courses are even available for students to take over the summer.
Q 3: What are some of the current goals related to R/SSS and RCCC?
A: The conversations with RCCC have been to continue to increase the number of students who are taking classes for dual enrollment. This chart shows the increases in the number of RSS students who have taken courses at RCCC. This number does NOT include students enrolled in the Early College. We have an additional 260 (approximately) students enrolled in the Early College. As you can see, we have been working hard to expand the opportunities to more students each year at our individual schools. Career and College Promise courses are contained in the high school guidebook and online. We also have conducted individual meetings at schools for parents/students on the college course opportunities available. Because we are 1:1, students also have the opportunity to take college classes online. The chart below shows the numbers that have taken advantage of this option over past years:
Q 3 Which of our High Schools are magnets, and what are the magnets. If not all, then why not make each a magnet of sorts?
A: We do not have any high schools that are magnet schools. However, each high school has an academy. Students who would like to attend another school’s academy can apply prior to entering the 9th grade.
Q 4: Other than RCCC not being willing to have teachers travel away from the grounds and some extra, costs, what is preventing Early College expansion?
A: Our early college is funded through a grant through New Schools. We would have to apply for a second grant to open a new Early College and cover the additional local expenses outside of the grant. Additionally, this model is designed for the high school to be on the college campus.
Q 5: Is it a mandate that students put foot on the college grounds in order to obtain credits?
A: Students can take classes online and face-to-face through RCCC. I have attached the courses available to our students online through RCCC for Career and College Promise dual credit. Because we have provided every student with a laptop, any junior or senior who qualifies for enrollment into RCCC can take the classes. The only cost to the student is a textbook if required for the course.
Q 6. Do we have any R/SS teachers that are eligible to teach at community college level?
A: I am sure we have some RSS teachers who would qualify to teach community college classes.
Q 7 What might school choice in all of our schools as a future goal look like?:
A: If implemented, school choice could look something like this:
1. Start at HS as a trial then, if successful, migrates down to elementary and middle school level, much like the changes we approved for KMS, if grants are approved. Essentially, it would look something like this:
2. Once enrolled in a choice school, the student would be required to complete the grade span at the chosen school (elementary, middle, and HS). If the student’s bus route is outside of the chosen school, parents would have to provide transportation to the new school.
3.The HS 365 athletic wait would remain in place.
4. Choice school enrollment outside of the bus route district would be capped at a level that would provide room for anyone moving into that area since they would be eligible for enrollment as a 1st choice.
There are many different opinions and pros/cons of school choice and I’m not sure I have all of the answers. However, currently in RSSS, all students can choose to apply for a transfer to a high school academy of another school during the spring of their 8th grade year.
