How Does Dual Enrollment work with College
When I speak to groups, I often communicate my dissatisfaction with dual enrollment community college. In our state, students can access this opportunity for free, and it's called "Running Start. " Extremely popular with homeschoolers, I often get asked why I am hesitant about such programs.
Perhaps a few stories from our own dual enrollment experience will help explain:
• Calculus professor dropped the f-bomb every other sentence. (We decided to go with a prof that was a homeschool graduate instead - he ended up coming to our graduation party. Great guy. )#)
• Physics prof used marital positions to describe physics principles. (Luck of the draw - we didn't get him, but my friend did. )#)
• Music class book said "I capitalize Self because I was taught to capitalize the name of God" and instructed class to say mantra each day "I am good, I am great, I am God. " (We declined to take that class. )#)
• French class showed movies with unclothed people for culture. (No-go. )#)
• Speech class teacher and curriculum was OK, but another student did a speech on the religion of sex (no kidding. )#)
• There were no economics courses that were at my student's level.
• The poli-sci classes were taught by a Marxist. (He did write a very nice letter of recommendation, though. )#)
My feeling about dual enrollment is that it's sometimes a "Rated R" environment, even when you control the teacher by knowing how to home school AND the curriculum. If I could do my life over, I wish I would have done two years of homeschooling college, not just one year. I wish I would have skipped dual enrollment altogether. I don't know your family, your children, or even your community college - so you are in a MUCH better position to make a decision than I am. Trust yourself!
Dual enrollment is EXTREMELY popular with homeschoolers but I want parents to think it through and think about the pros and cons, rather than just follow the crowd. When you speak to those who have gone before you, listen for the "but.... " They will point out things like, "We had a fantastic experience, but.... " Tune in to what follows, and decide what is best for YOU.
Christian support groups on campus are a BIG help, so encourage your children to get involved in positive groups on campus. Also, use the buddy system, so that students are in groups in class.
To know more about dual enrollment you can visit http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm?articleid=3760268