NC dual enrollment in jeopardy!
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:51 am
This came through my email today...anyone in NC who wants to use this program should call their reps. ANY child from 14 up can enroll for free in community colleges and take college credit courses. You only pay for the books for the class. This enables your child to, if they work hard, earn their associates degree by the time they graduate high school.
NCHE Recommends Emailing and Calling Legislators
On Thursday, June 4, 2009, the NC House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education made its official recommendations of numerous Education budget reductions and increases to meet the current revenue projections for the coming year. As previously reported in our last E-Brief, the elimination of the current state funding for Community College dual enrolled high school student courses with the exception of math and science courses is being recommended to the House Appropriation Subcommittee on Education.
NCHE has pointed out to the members of the subcommittee that these courses cost the Community Colleges very little since dual enrolled students fill vacant seats in classes previously unfilled by adult students. In fact, the only reason that there appears to be a budget reduction is because the state allocates funding based on head count which does not recognize the efficiency of unused class space that the dual enrollment program provides.
On this Tuesday, June 9th, the full House Appropriations Committee will review the subcommittee recommendations and then make its recommendations to the full House body for voting as early as Wednesday, June 10th.
In light of the short time frame, NCHE recommends that home schoolers who are currently using the dual enrollment program, email their own House Representatives and Senators (www.ncleg.net), to express your concern and disagreement with this elimination of funding for a very efficient, low/no cost program of providing college level courses to high school students.
* You might remind them of the value that other college level courses besides math and science provide the equivalent of AP courses in such areas as English and Foreign Language.
* You might point to them that as a home school you are saving the state thousands of dollars every year in public school funding and that the dual enrollment program is an important element in supplementing your home school curriculum.
* You might also point out that through dual enrollment home school students have enhanced the positive learning atmosphere of the Community College campuses due to the appreciative attitude of these students.
NCHE will continue to monitor and dialogue with our Legislators on this legislation and other legislative matters, but you can have a great impact with a polite, respectful email/letter in your own words to your House Representatives and Senators (www.ncleg.net) expressing your opinion and the impact this failure to fund will have on your home school. Ask them for an acknowledgement of your email and support for your views.
NCHE Recommends Emailing and Calling Legislators
On Thursday, June 4, 2009, the NC House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education made its official recommendations of numerous Education budget reductions and increases to meet the current revenue projections for the coming year. As previously reported in our last E-Brief, the elimination of the current state funding for Community College dual enrolled high school student courses with the exception of math and science courses is being recommended to the House Appropriation Subcommittee on Education.
NCHE has pointed out to the members of the subcommittee that these courses cost the Community Colleges very little since dual enrolled students fill vacant seats in classes previously unfilled by adult students. In fact, the only reason that there appears to be a budget reduction is because the state allocates funding based on head count which does not recognize the efficiency of unused class space that the dual enrollment program provides.
On this Tuesday, June 9th, the full House Appropriations Committee will review the subcommittee recommendations and then make its recommendations to the full House body for voting as early as Wednesday, June 10th.
In light of the short time frame, NCHE recommends that home schoolers who are currently using the dual enrollment program, email their own House Representatives and Senators (www.ncleg.net), to express your concern and disagreement with this elimination of funding for a very efficient, low/no cost program of providing college level courses to high school students.
* You might remind them of the value that other college level courses besides math and science provide the equivalent of AP courses in such areas as English and Foreign Language.
* You might point to them that as a home school you are saving the state thousands of dollars every year in public school funding and that the dual enrollment program is an important element in supplementing your home school curriculum.
* You might also point out that through dual enrollment home school students have enhanced the positive learning atmosphere of the Community College campuses due to the appreciative attitude of these students.
NCHE will continue to monitor and dialogue with our Legislators on this legislation and other legislative matters, but you can have a great impact with a polite, respectful email/letter in your own words to your House Representatives and Senators (www.ncleg.net) expressing your opinion and the impact this failure to fund will have on your home school. Ask them for an acknowledgement of your email and support for your views.