What are the potential benefits of Dual Enrollment? What level of parent/guardian involvement is appropriate at the college level? These are important questions that need to be settle before deciding if a high school student should follow that program.
First, there are many potential benefits to a dual-enrollment (as seen below), but the most important is that it is a pathway for students to explore college before their high school graduation.
Second, if a student under the age of 18 enrolls at SRJC or any other post-secondary institution, the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student, and JC instructors, counselors, and instructional staff are not allowed to release any information to parents/guardians, friends, or others without a written release from the student. The new role of a parent/guardian within the college context can go from a heavy, direct involvement to a less frequent, more indirect involvement in the educational process. We encourage parents/guardians to speak with the student about both the expectations for communication and involvement.
There are many potential benefits to a dual-enrollment program. These benefits include:
- High School students enroll for free. Dual-enrollment classes save students money on tuition.
- Transferable college credits.
- Eases the transition from high school to college.
- Potential reduction of time needed to finish a college degree.
- It provides a head start on the college experience.
- Exploration for career education certificates.
- Field of study exploration that may help the student choose a major later.
- Choosing classes or programs not currently available at their high school.
- Improvement of time management skills, study habits, and handling responsibility.
- Students access to the college resources and library.
- Classes may offer a lower ratio of students to instructors.
- Students are more likely to pursue a degree.
High School - "Direct Involvement"
- Information about the student’s status or progress is generally freely given to parents/guardians since most students are minors (under 18 years of age).
- Parents/guardians are frequently involved in parent/teacher meetings, open houses, and other interactions with the teachers. These connections may be initiated by the teacher or parents/guardian at any time.
- Parent/guardian generally see students daily and are able to inquire about school events, schedules, and progress.
- Student conduct issues inside and outside the classroom directly involve the parents or guardians.
- A student may have a job for extra spending money if he or she still lives with family members. Major financial obligations are generally parental responsibilities.
College - "Indirect Involvement"
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), prevents higher education officials and instructional staff from releasing any information to friends, family, or others without a written release from the student even if the student is a minor.
- Instructors and parents very rarely interact. Instructors will not initiate parental contact due to FERPA.
- Please talk with your student about both of your expectations for contact via email, letter, visit, or phone. Parental contact may range from several times a semester to multiple times daily. Average student contact is once or twice a week.
- Students will deal exclusively with conduct issues both in and out of the classroom. Parents may coach students on how to confront conflict while respecting professional and personal boundaries.
- Academic bills will be sent to the student via online format and it will be his/her responsibility. Budgeting and spending issues will be the student responsibility. Parents and students are advised to talk about spending, earning, and borrowing expectations that may exist.
- Students must motivate themselves to work, attend courses, study, get involved, and complete coursework.
SRJC provides opportunities to receive more information or assistance at many of the high schools within our District. Among the services offered, your student might have access to assistance completing Financial Aid applications, OpenCCC Apply (Application for Admission) workshops, or presentations about the success steps to SRJC and other general information called "Seniors Presentations". College Nights (great for Parents/Guardians) are also offered at many schools throughout the District. Be sure to have your student watch and listen for announcements about activities scheduled at their school, or check with the high school Counseling Office for more information.
Helpful links:
- About SRJC
- High School Dual Enrollment
- Application for Admission
- Schedule of Classes
- Steps for New Students
- Transfer Track at SRJC Petaluma
- College Safety
- Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
- Decades of Excellence
Other helpful links are listed on the Resources page, or go to www.santarosa.edu for more options.