Dr. Perey attributes continuing decline to lack of qualified high school teachers to teach dual enrollment courses and teacher turnover

Dr. James Perey informed the College Governing Board at its September 11 meeting that dual enrollment on the Verde Campus in the fall 2018 was experiencing a decline from last year’s enrollment.  Last year, Dr. Perey told the Sedona City County at its November 2017 meeting that dual enrollment had experienced a decline from 2016.

At the September 2018 meeting, Dr. Perey did not offer year-to-year comparative data.  However, he did report that in the fall 2018 semester there were 225 dual enrollment students at Mingus Union High School, 44 at Camp Verde High School, and 19 at Sedona Red Rock High School.

Recall that under an agreement between the Community College and local high schools that  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 and successfully complete them receive both high school and college credit. The credits are accepted by most Arizona post-secondary colleges and universities. (Students must, 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 College charges each student in a dual enrollment class $10 per credit hour.

You may view his 2018 report on the video clips below.

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.

Students receive both high school and college credit upon successful completion

In an Inter-Governmental Agreement approved by the Yavapai College District Governing Board at its June 13, 2017 meeting the Sedona Red Rock high school will be allowed to offer a total of three dual enrollment courses in 2017 – 18. Under the agreement, the high school provides space, qualified faculty to teach the courses and almost all of the other expenses associated with the program. Yavapai Community College will provide appropriate college credit for students who successfully complete a dual enrollment course and some oversight.

It is noted that in a similar agreement that Mingus Union High School was allowed to offer 16 dual enrollment classes while Camp Verde High School was allowed to offer 15 dual enrollment classes.

Students receive both high school and college credit 

Because of an Inter-Governmental Agreement approved by the Yavapai College District Governing Board at its June 13, 2017 meeting the Camp Verde high school will be allowed to offer a total of 15 dual enrollment courses in 2017 – 18. Under the agreement, the high school provides space, qualified faculty to teach the courses and almost all of the other expenses associated with the program. Yavapai Community College will provide appropriate college credit for students who successfully complete a dual enrollment course and some oversight.

Students receive both high school and college credit upon successful completion

In an Inter-Governmental Agreement approved by the Yavapai College District Governing Board at its June 13, 2017 meeting Mingus Union high school will be allowed to offer a total of 16 dual enrollment courses in 2017 – 18. Under the agreement, the high school provides space, qualified faculty to teach the courses and almost all of the other expenses associated with the program. Yavapai Community College will provide appropriate college credit for students who successfully complete a dual enrollment course and some oversight.

It is noted that Camp Verde high school is offering 15 dual enrollment classes while the Sedona high school is offering three dual enrollment classes.

Students must meet certain qualifications before they are allowed to take a dual enrollment course and obtain college credit upon completion. The list of courses and number of credits follows below.

College classes taught by high school teachers in 13 County High Schools will obtain college credit because of agreement with Yavapai College

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.)

Although the high schools absorb most of the cost for dual enrollment courses, the College is insisting on collecting $10 per student per credit for them.  A list of the 13 high schools appears below. The list includes all public Verde Valley high schools.

HAS COLLEGE GONE BACK ON JANUARY PROMISE?

Despite objections from all seven Verde Valley superintendents to imposing a per credit fee on high school students in the dual enrollment program, President Penelope Wills pushed ahead with her fee demand. Her demand was approved by the Governing Board June 14 via an intergovernmental agreement and students will now pay $10 per credit while in high school taking a dual enrollment credit course. 

Of concern is the fact that the Intergovernmental agreement approved by the Governing Board June 14 does not contain any provision for continuing the small stipend that the College was paying each high school instructor who was teaching a dual enrollment class.  Under intense questioning from Deb McCasland, the College stated that it would not pay anything toward the teachers.  There was no mention of the stipend. (You may view the June 14 questioning by Ms. McCasland at the Board meeting by clicking here.)

At the January, 2016 Governing Board meeting, interim Vice President Scott Farnsworth was specifically asked about the stipend.  He specifically stated it would continue.

So where is the stipend?  Why isn’t it in the contract?  How much of a stipend will be paid to each teacher and who decides this amount?  Who decides what teaches will receive the stipend?  What is the total amount to be paid out?  Who decides the total?

Thanks to the Blog and Representative Deb Mc Casland this issue will be raised at the next Governing Board meeting in August. At that time the public should receive information about whether the stipend was discontinued or is to be continued. Hopefully, the public should also discover  the criteria and amount to be paid to each teacher. (And how that was decided.)

ONLY REPRESENTATIVE MC CASLAND RAISES QUESTIONS

President Penelope Wills was able to easily snooker the District Governing Board at its June 14, 2016 meeting when it came to getting approval for dual enrollment contracts that set fees on high school students and eliminated teacher stipend support. The contracts sailed through the Board with only Representative Deb McCasland raising questions about them. (It was a 5-0 vote as the Verde Valley representatives capitulated.) The fees all go to administration of the program. During the six month fight over the fee, the College never offered a study or provided an in-depth look at the need for such a program for the County.  It was all about collecting as much money as it could from the high schools.

How good is your memory on this educational fiasco administered by Wills? 

Recall that all of the high school superintendents in the Verde Valley opposed the College setting fees on high school students for the dual enrollment program. Wills ignored their pleas.

Recall that all of the seven-member Blue Ribbon Verde Valley Governing Board Advisory Board opposed setting fees on high school students for the dual enrollment program. Wills ignored their pleas.

Recall that  Deb McCasland opposed setting fees on high school students in the dual enrollment program at the January, 2016 meeting. Wills ignored her.

Recall that Al Filardo seemed on the fence in December, 2015 and January 2016 but must have decided to support Wills. 

Recall that Wills claimed $78,000 was annually needed for dual enrollment when she demanded a property tax rate increase in 2015. She got her way in a 3-2 vote to increase taxes with West County representatives voting as a block to approve it.

Recall that Wills claimed $53,634 for a dual enrollment liaison was annually needed for dual enrollment for a when she demanded a property tax rate increase in 2015 (it was granted in a 3-2 vote with West County representatives voting as a block).

Recall that the State of Arizona provides the Community College with money for dual enrollment; in 2016 the College estimated the total to be $30,153. In May 2013 (See Governing Board Agenda for that date with PowerPoint) the College stated it received $63,777 from the State for Dual Enrollment support. Who knows why the decline, if there was one.  Who can you trust?

Recall that Superintendent Paul Tighe told the Governing Board on January 12, 2016 that a fee would inhibit access by high school students to the dual enrollment program.

Recall that the College used to provide a stipend to high school teachers in dual enrollment programs, which is said was $82,000 in 2015. It has eliminated that stipend under its new approach. Or at least, the stipend does not appear in the contract approved at the June 14 meeting.  

Recall that tax rate analysis of Community Colleges in Arizona says Yavapai College spends double the state average per student in primary property taxes. Gosh, couldn’t some of that money be used for dual enrollment? Or should it go toward replacing existing good roads and sidewalks with even better ones?

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