Early College FAQ for Parents
PROGRAM | STUDENTS | CURRICULUM | FINANCIAL
PROGRAM
An EMC program allows students an opportunity to earn an Associate’s degree or certificate along with their high school diploma. Students have an additional year of high school for program completion, and they have access to support services which enhance their success. Tuition and fees are paid by the local school district up to an allocated amount. Students are enrolled in a focused program of study.
College costs continue to rise, and education beyond high school is more important than ever. Many careers require 1-2 years of post-secondary education, and the business community needs people who are skilled.
Students are immersed into the college environment. As high school students, they are on campus and learn to take classes with adults and behave like adults in an adult learning environment. It helps students bridge the learning and social gaps between high school and college.
Our business partners have said that they want to develop talented, educated individuals who want to stay here in our community to live and work.
It is funded through the per pupil allowance provided by the state under the early college guidelines.
Jackson College and the local district administrators have determined that all programs offered are an option. A list of those are available at https://www.jccmi.edu/academics/programs-of-study/
Class may be virtual, on-campus, or hybrid (partly virtual and partly on campus). Classes may be held during the school day or students may choose evening courses.
There will be informational meetings, announcements at local school, school district website, email, and social media. Jean Logan, Early College Administrator, meets with students and parents in formal and informal settings to share information about the program. In addition, information regarding Jackson County Early College is available at http://www.jxncec.org and local district webpages.
Some transportation may be available with the daily trips to the Career Center. Otherwise, parents must arrange student transportation for on-campus classes.
Yes, see the handbook for details. The handbook is available at www.jxncec.org.
Classes may begin on different days, depending upon the course. A date will be available on their website.
JCEC has rolling enrollment, which means students may join throughout the year, but may not begin classes until they have completed the JCEC orientation.
After students have been notified that they will be part of the early college program, an orientation meeting will be scheduled with parents.
STUDENTS
This is a decision made with the student, parents, and high school counselors. Consideration has to be given to each student in regard to college/career plans, attendance, disciplinary issues, maturity, and life circumstances. First generation college students, underrepresented students, and at-risk students certainly should be considered – and encouraged to apply.
The academic program at Jackson County Early College can be fairly rigorous. This is determined by the student’s approach to his/her college classes as well as the career pathway that has been selected.
A comprehensive process has been developed to make sure each student is placed appropriately. Districts have been provided with application documents and timelines for applying.
Depending upon the number of college classes a student enrolls in, there should be little to no cost. Parents will be required to sign a third-party billing agreement acknowledging that they may be responsible for costs that exceed the foundation allotment.
Financial support for this program comes from the state student funding allowance. Because of this funding stream, this program is for public school students. Home schooled or private school students would have to enroll in their local district in order to apply.
Life Maps course is the first class students take. The local districts and Jackson College have created a framework to provide students with academic support skills, college survival techniques, and resource staff. Students will attend Success Camp where students to become acquainted with Jackson College’s campus, build relationships with Jackson College staff and peers from other districts who are also JCEC students. Staff employed by the districts and the college will meet with students on a regular basis to monitor academic progress, develop strategies, connect students with resources, and assist with transition from high school to college.
Districts pay for coursework taken in Early College up to the amount allotted in the state formula. Starting with the class of 2017, students who attend an Early/Middle College have until age 21 to graduate and complete a TIP application, rather than age 20. Students in this situation must contact the office of MI Student Aid in the Student Financial Services Bureau of the Michigan Department of Treasury when completing the application.
Failing a college course while enrolled in Jackson County Early College DOES NOT jeopardize a student’s opportunity to access TIP funds.
CURRICULUM
Depending upon the student, the possibilities include an Associate’s degree, a certification, or credits that can be transferred to another post-secondary educational institution. Jackson College also has several certificate programs which only require 1-2 semesters of college coursework.
The 13th year DOES require a math-related course, but it does not have to be scheduled at the home district. It is VERY important for students to work closely with their counselors to make sure they meet all of the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements.
No. The law provides local districts with the flexibility to determine what counts for the 4th/final year mathematics credit, including the content and duration. It does not need to be aligned with the mathematics standards because those are covered in the other 3 credits.
The credit could be in a basic or an applied math area, such as Business Math, Accounting, Pre-algebra, etc. The course could also be an advanced mathematics course such as Pre-calculus, or college-level courses through dual enrollment or early middle college programs.
Non-mathematics courses or experiences where students apply mathematics can also counts as the 4th credit/Senior year mathematics course such as computer programming, science or art courses; Career and Technical Education (CTE), work study program, or practicum where the students are using the mathematics they have already learned.
Early middle college students must take a mathematics or math-related course in their 13th year.
Coursework will include required classes to complete the Michigan Merit Curriculum expected outcomes, as well as college courses in the career pathway selected by the student. Some districts allow college courses to count toward the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements (like Economics, Government, English, etc.).
Contact your local High School Counseling Office or Jean Logan – info@jxncec.org or 517-581-2003.
FINANCIAL
The Michigan Department of Education allows for reimbursement to districts should a student fail a college course. Failing = no credit in the class. Contact your high school counselor for your district’s requirements. Students need to earn a 2.0 in each course for it to count as college credit.
A student that does not receive college credit for a course under the Dual Enrollment legislation is required to repay the school district funds that were expended for the course that were not already refunded by the eligible postsecondary institution. If the student does not repay the funds as described in [MCL 388.514], the district may impose sanctions as determined by school policy. A student may take dual enrolled courses (including ones that were previously taken unsuccessfully) if the funds are repaid and if they still meet all other eligibility requirements.
Students in this program may earn up to 65 college credits depending upon the program of study.
Students will need to work closely with the Success Navigator to ensure they are in a program that will be able to transfer to other universities. It is extremely important that a student works closely with his/her advisor to ensure that all credits transfer. Many courses students take at the
college level are Michigan Transfer Agreement classes that will transfer to any public college or university in Michigan.
JCEC students are eligible to participate in clubs and organizations sponsored by the college. Recent legislation DOES ALLOW students to participate in college athletics during the 13th year.
Yes – through their senior year. Students are not eligible for high school sports during the 13th year.
It is VERY important to make sure students have met their Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements by the end of their senior year in the event a circumstance like this arises. If a student chooses to leave the program at the end of their 12 th year and have met all of their graduation requirements, they may opt out with no penalty.
Yes, at the end of the 13th year, although students may participate in their commencement exercises at the end of their senior year with their peers.
JCEC students will receive an ID card that will provide them access to the library, parking and other services.