Perey tells Sedona Council that high schools are experiencing problems attracting qualified faculty; new federal guidelines also a factor; new per credit fee imposed by West-County Voting Bloc at request of Wills over unanimous Verde Valley objection not discussed
Dean James Perey told the Sedona City Council during its November meeting that the dual enrollment program has experienced a decline in enrollment this year. He did not provide any figures with the statement.
Thirteen high schools in the County have signed a dual enrollment agreement with Yavapai Community College. The agreement was approved by the District Governing Board at its June 13, 2017 meeting. Under the agreement the high schools can offer certain dual enrollment classes at the high schools taught by high school teachers. Students who are qualified for the classes upon successful completion receive both high school and college credit. The credits are accepted by most Arizona post-secondary colleges and universities. (Students should, of course, always check with the college or university they intend to enroll in after graduating from high school to determine whether the dual enrollment credits will be recognized.)
The data below (taken from official College reports) shows that the Duel Enrollment program has steadily grown over the past ten years.
Although the high schools absorb most of the cost for dual enrollment courses, last year President Penelope Wills persuaded the West-County Voting Bloc to approve a per student per credit fee. The imposition of the fee was opposed by all of the high school superintendents in the Valley, the Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee, and both Al Filardo and Deb McCasland.
Dr. Perey did not list the fee as a possible factor for the decline in enrollment but it is a coincidence that enrollment dropped when the fee was imposed. He attributed the decline to the inability of high schools to obtain academically qualified faculty to teach dual enrollment courses and new federal guidelines.
You may view Dr. Perey’s short explanation on the video below.
You may view the entire video report made by Dean Perey at the November 28 Sedona City Council meeting by clicking here. http://sedonaaz.swagit.com/play/11282017-832.