Is dual-enrollment a scam?
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Anonymous
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Ok, I know the word "scam" is harsh, but hear me out.
My kids go to John F. Kennedy High but I've been speaking with other kids throughout the DCC and it's clear that MCPS is really pushing dual-enrollment at MC as a desirable thing for MOST kids. They're not trying to be selective with those who want to be doctors and lawyers and could benefit from a truncated bachelor's degree runway. AP and IB, which Kennedy offers, already give kids who want a more rigorous challenge and the potential for college credit a pathway. So it's not like dual-enrollment is the only way to get college-level experience. So the only thing that dual-enrollment seems to offer, is the opportunity to simultaneously earn an associate's degree while earning your HS degree. But it comes at the expense of being completely removed from your high school environment. But then again, the dual-enrollment kids are separated into a bubble at MC so they're not getting an authentic college experience too. It just seems like MC is using MCPS as a way to suck up dollars and put butts in seats since community colleges are struggling with enrollment numbers post-pandemic. For more on this trend, read this article: https://hechingerreport.org/its-just-too-much-why-students-are-abandoning-community-colleges-in-droves/ As I said, I know of a few kids who were pushed into dual-enrollment without consideration on if it was really best for them, and they ended up hating it. Several students found the coursework was too hard and they ended up missing the relationships and connections to their high schools. Which, duh. So why is MCPS pushing what to me, should be a very rare exception as the new norm? Even in the instance where a student who's headed for say medical school, wants to do dual-enrollment to cut their time pursuing their bachelor's down so they can get to med school faster, what about the real-world tradeoffs of being out of step with people your age? This is obviously personal and anecdotal, but I needed all four years of my undergrad for my mental and emotional growth! Why are we shortchanging kids of that critical development time? I won't even get into my frustrations that MCPS has basically made 12th grade a waste of time for most kids since they lower the requirements so much that most kids look to do half days their senior year....but that can be another thread or a separate track in this topic. |
Anonymous
| Depending on college, dual-enrollment can be guaranteed college credit. AP depends on the test score then if/what test scores they accept. |
Anonymous
| I mean it basically mean kids get two years less of education. On the other hand, it helps kids be able to better afford a college degree. |
Anonymous
| Ya, my kid doesn't want to do Dual Enrollment because she doesn't want to miss out on the high school experience. |
Anonymous
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It's not a scam. It's that the kids (and their parents) don't seem to understand how the program works.
I know a smart kid who did it. And he's glad he did. It's not for everyone, but it's an option. What do you mean "push"? I don't feel they pushed my kids to do it. I see the email notifications about the program, information sessions and due dates. But, if they didn't send that out, then people would complain that MCPS doesn't send out information. |
Anonymous
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At least the students will no longer have to pay tuition:
https://mocoshow.com/blog/mcps-students-dually-enrolled-at-montgomery-college-will-no-longer-be-charged-tuition/ |
Anonymous
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None of my kid’s AP or IB classes were accepted for credit at her SLAC. They could be used to meet some prerequisites, but that’s it. College is a business and they want you there for eight semesters.
Dual enrollment works better for shortening time in college. |
Anonymous
| They are also trying to encourage homeschooling families to enroll their kids in mcps and to take advantage of Mont. College. I think it is because they want the $$$ our homeschool kids' enrollment would provide without having to actually educate them. |
Anonymous
Kids were pressured by counselors and admins to do it. Not because they had a unique desire to graduate early, but just because they were good students. |
Anonymous
OP here, yes, I'm aware. So MC is double-dipping and now benefiting from funds that were meant to go to K-12, to instead fund its higher ed operations. Hence, my "scam" comment. |
Anonymous
| I have received so many emails about dual enrollment that it feels very pushy to me. Not going to call it a scam… but I don’t see the appeal for most kids. |
Anonymous
Yup. Can't win. |
Anonymous
None? What did they take and score? My kid's 5 on AP Calc, for instance, was certainly accepted. |
Anonymous
| My kids college will not give credit for a course that counted towards HS grad but it can be helpful for kids going to UMD. I learned it is considered an easier route then AP because there is no big exam. |
Anonymous
I don't know where you are getting your conspiracy theories but no one I know in the DCC feels pushed into that program. Maybe it's one teacher or one counselor who believes in it? I know 2 children who are dual enrolled and one is bored in HS and wanted more challenge and another did it to save money. This child will go to MC after graduation. I think it's great they are offering it. Sorry it's not appealing to you but I see no basis for you claiming it's a "scam." |