CCP courses are available to any student that is qualified as “college ready” at the secondary level.

That is determined by the college partner through which the course is offered.  ACT exam results are accepted as evidence of college readiness. If an ACT score is not available, students may take an ACCUPLACER^® exam to demonstrate college readiness.  CCP courses require a test of readiness in advance of the course, while AP courses test for readiness at the end.  Students may take the Accuplacer once per semester.

The student must have any college prerequisites passed prior to taking a course. These are college courses, taught by appropriately credentialed teachers in the local schools. Participation in “dual enrollment” courses requires students to be part of all involved institutions. They are bound by the same college academic standards, sequences, and expectations as any other student in the college.

Please note that “ready” and “prepared” do not share the same meaning. Aptitude does not necessarily translate to maturity and work ethic, and students testing on college courses might not be prepared for the increased level of rigor and faster pace. The skill set and self-responsibility required of the independent learner is necessary for successful work as a college student. Those skills are not tested on a standardized test, but rather through honest insight and observation of the student, parents, and reflection on previous work.

The compressed time frame does not allow for as many assessment opportunities, and the assessments must mirror the form of our college partners. This means that exams, papers, or other assessments have more significant value and are higher stakes. AP courses are excellent, rigorous courses that allow students the opportunity to grow through a wider variety of assessments and a longer period of time and have consistently demonstrated value in developing study skills and testing strategies to prepare for college.

Students that receive support through Individualized Education Plans or 504 plans are able to use the plans, but must work with the Office of Disability Services as the college partner for any CCP course. Federal laws that give civil protection to these students requires that the college approve the form of assistance that students will receive. It is an excellent opportunity for students to practice self-advocacy in the college environment. AP courses are solely within the high school curriculum and do not require special approval from additional agencies for students to receive supportive services in their AP courses.

No. There are significant changes in the teacher-parent relationship. As these are college courses taught by local teachers in an adjunct instructor role on behalf of a college, the primary exchange of information regarding student progress is shared between the student and their instructor. The co-location of the college courses on the Pickerington campus does not change the college dynamic.

Parents do, of course, have access to student grades through the Infinite Campus system or using their student’s access to the college’s system. Parents may also attend face-to-face conference meetings with the instructors, but the student must be present for any conversation. Parents cannot expect any direct communication with the instructor through email or phone conversations.

Students that have success that is dependent on frequent phone calls home and periodic progress reporting might not be prepared for the college environment as college policies and regulations require much greater student responsibility and self-advocacy. Students gain educational and legal independence by going to college, so they are expected to be independent learners on these locally-offered college courses.

It is a great opportunity for students to earn college credits early and save time and money later, but it can also be a stressful transition for students. If a student is ready for the course by the college’s measures and is confident in the subject, then it may be a terrific choice. In other subject areas, a student may be college-ready, but less confident about skills in the content area. An option such as an Advanced Placement course that may yield college credit but allow time to more fully develop and explore skills in the content might be an excellent choice.

There is no “one size fits all solution” for any student. Some students may choose classes for reasons that are not strictly focused on academic reasons, while others may choose activities offered at certain times of the day that limit their choices. Still, more may have work or other activities. The best way to approach these choices is to talk with your student about what he or she really wants. College will always be around in the future, but kids are young only once. Pickerington encourages a well-rounded approach for all of our students.

Yes – all of Ohio’s public universities and colleges accept the credits we will offer in core courses. In most cases, the specific course name and number of the college to which your student matriculates can even be determined in advance. The courses have also been accepted at private colleges in Ohio where CCP students have gone, as well as out of state. As our college partners are regionally accredited institutions, colleges have been more open to accepting the credit, even when AP credits have not been accepted, such as Ivy League colleges, or even colleges outside the United States.

CCP courses that are specific to one college’s programming, such as the previously offered Introduction to Chemistry course, are likely to be accepted, but the nature of the credit accepted may vary between colleges. There is still no cost for these courses, they retain all of the local benefits of College Credit Plus programming, and offer an excellent in-depth view of a career field, an art, or provide excellent technical introductions to different disciplines.

No. Many college courses offered in Ohio’s public colleges and universities are cleared by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as “TAG/OTM” courses. This means they follow “Transfer Assurance Guidelines” and are in the “Ohio Transfer Module.” As such, the courses transfer to Ohio’s public colleges as if they were taken on that campus. A history course through Columbus State will transfer to Miami as if it was taken at Miami and a math course through COTC will transfer to Ohio State as if it was taken at OSU.

The college process has changed substantially in the past twenty-five years. All public colleges in Ohio use semesters rather than quarters. At one time, Ohio State was the school anyone could get into – now it has the most selective admissions process of public colleges in the state. The portability of credits between colleges is a natural extension of this process.

Yes. When a Pickerington teacher is teaching the course as the teacher of record, that teacher must meet the same credentialing standard as any other instructor at that college, normally as a result of graduate-level study in the content area.

That certainly depends on the student and why the CCP credits are wanted. Having credits going into college could allow students to cut down the number of years needed to complete a degree, or allow them to have smaller course loads each semester and focus on courses that may be more difficult. Students may choose not to use certain credits when going in to college and retake a course.

Participating in CCP courses will not impact a student’s future options – the intent is to prepare our students and to offer more options in getting ready for life after high school, not to lock them in to one track.

Students, regardless of number of CCP credits earned while still in high school, are as eligible for scholarships or other programs as any other freshman matriculating into college. In fact, the admission process is the same for all students, regardless of participation in the CCP program, as CCP does not equal college matriculation.

There are no student/parent costs associated with CCP courses under state law. Students may take up to thirty (30) credits through CCP each year. “Credits” in this context means classes in which a student is a participant, regardless of setting.  For example, a full year high school course uses three of the thirty credits. Any college credits taken beyond those thirty credits are “self-pay,” and the responsibility of the student/parent. “Self-pay” courses are outside of the CCP program and grades may not be used for high school credit.

If a student’s final transcript grade for the course is an “F” for academic reasons, or non-passing due to withdrawal past the date established by the college partner, the school district may require the student’s family to reimburse the district for all costs associated with the course, which varies between college partners and manner of course delivery. It is critical for students to be mindful of their course progress, give their very best efforts, and keep themselves updated on dates and deadlines.

Another consideration is that these grades are transcripted and have the potential to impact graduation requirements, eligibility for extracurricular activities, scholarships, as well as college admission and transferability. College Credit Plus courses must under law be faithful to the college partner’s grading methods.

As a dual credit course, there is a level of coordination between higher education institutions and Pickerington Schools. Pickerington does not determine deadlines or course requirements, and decisions are not solely the responsibility of staff within the district.

Students electing to take CCP courses at a college campus or online must have declared their intent to participate in the program by May 1^st as required by law.

The overview of the process for the College Credit Plus course offered within the Pickerington schools is this:

1. Students will register through Infinite Campus for CCP classes like any other local Pickerington course.
2. Students must apply to the college partner through the college’s admissions process, usually online. Clicking on the colleges listed above in “Expected Course Offerings at the High Schools” will provide links to more application information.
3. Students must be determined to be “college ready.” This could mean through the ACT or a placement test given by the college, and this measure may vary between courses. The last date (using any placement exam method) to provide scores for eligibility in CCP courses offered within the district is April 15th.
4. Students and their parents will sign the district’s specific version of the state-required Dual Enrollment Forms.
5. Students will have their information reviewed by the district to ensure that they are qualified for the specific courses they wish to take.
6. Once the district has confirmed that all proper steps have been taken and that the student has met the college’s requirements, the student will be eligible for enrollment in the course. Students will be informed of their eligibility or reasons for ineligibility via their student PLSD email accounts. As all PLSD students have district-issued devices, email accounts, and access to the Internet on site, communication about the CCP program for individual students will be solely through this method.
7. Students wishing to drop a CCP course will continue to do so through their respective counselors. District deadlines apply to students’ high school schedules for all courses offered on site, including CCP courses.

Students choosing to attend CCP courses on a college’s campus or online may do so, but must make arrangements in conjunction with the district’s CCP advisor. Course-related costs (tuition and books) are not passed to students or their families, but the student is responsible for transportation to any course located off-site.

Dean Sabetta is the CCP Advisor for the district: dean_sabetta@plsd.us