“This experience is giving me a look at what college classes will be like, what to expect, and just how much I’ll have to study,” said Ivy, who is a member of B-HP’s Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Keywanettes Club. “The English class is teaching me to be a better writer,” she said. “We are focusing on grammar, as well as content. I hope to graduate from B-HP with nine college credit hours and insight into college work.” “There was a phenomenally high interest in English 101 this fall at the Watkins Center,” said Blanton. “More students were interested than could fit in the classroom so five students are taking it online and are doing well.” Specifically, 24 students are enrolled in English 101, and 21 are in History 102 at the Watkins Center. In addition, three B-HP students drive to the Anderson Campus to take classes, and 10 are enrolled in online courses. “With such interest, we hope to expand dual enrollment offerings at Watkins and add college courses so more community residents can take advantage of the Center,” said Blanton. “Dual enrollment is on the rise at all of Tri-County’s campuses because students see the value of this opportunity. Like Ivy, many see it is more practical to take English 101 instead of taking an Advanced Placement (AP) course and passing the intense AP exam. Dual enrollment is up this fall with 552 enrolled as compared to 506 students in fall 2012. Classes are taught on seven high school campuses this semester, including Daniel, Liberty, Palmetto, Pendleton, Pickens, Westside, and Wren, for a total of 226 students. Dual enrollment students also take courses on our Anderson, Easley, Oconee, and Pendleton Campuses, as well as the Watkins Center. The total headcount for dual enrollment students on Tri-County campuses and online for fall 2013 is 352. “We see our dual enrollment growing. As we develop more technical career pathways, we will continue to see growth. We want to leverage programs that have stackable credentials,
as well as the programs that offer national certifications,” said Blanton.
allowing high school students to get a head start on college studies.”
For the first time this fall, students in Crescent High School’s Electricity program are taking dual-credit courses as part of a seamless career pathway.
Statistics show that students are more successful in college because of this experience. Also, dual enrollment students are more likely to graduate from college, she said. “Our classes are different from high school. Students are expected to do more academically. They are responsible for their own learning.”
Students begin by taking an electricity course offered by Crescent for Technical Advanced Placement credit. Beginning this fall (their senior year), they are taking two Tri-County courses—AC/DC Circuits II and Digital Electronics—at the Anderson Campus. The following spring they will take Instrumentation and Solid State Devices, also at the Anderson Campus. By the time they graduate in 2014, these students can have 20 college credits, along with a certificate in Basic Electronics. These classes can go toward earning a degree in Industrial Electronics Technology or Mechatronics, Blanton said. “As we develop these technical career pathways, we hope to see growth in the number of students enrolling in technical programs. We’ll always have the students who want the general education courses, but we want to grow and serve the population of students who haven’t participated in dual enrollment in the past. Our school districts want to serve these students better as well, so in the future, we plan to work with all of the districts in our service area to develop career pathways like the one with Crescent High,” Blanton said. Dual enrollment appeals to students and their parents for various reasons, said Blanton. In addition to earning college credits, which saves families thousands of dollars, the experience also helps them to prepare for the full college experience. “One of the greatest benefits of dual enrollment is the opportunity to experience college level coursework before becoming a full-time college student,” said Blanton. “Most dually enrolled students find out they can be successful. Success in these courses can be a confidence booster while
Fall Dual Enrollment 600
552
500
400
506 423
417
422
2009
2010
2011
300
200
100
0
2012
2013
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