Career and Technical Education Dual Credit: A transformational Collaboration

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1 Career and Technical Education Dual Credit: A transformational Collaboration Greg Florian, Vice President Robert Kerr, Registrar Richland Community College September 27,

2 Opportunity Knocking Decatur Public Schools explores capital program options Decatur Area Technical Academy facility is an old repurposed building owned by DPS housing the local High School consortium for Career and Technical Education programs. Alignment of College and EFE Districts 2

3 Background The concept of co-locating the Technical Academy on RCC campus existed since the late 1990 s With the option of dual credit, the initiative began to take shape Agreement to provide several dual credit programs initiated in the mid 2000 s Academic research and improved educational goals support the creation of a partnership 3

4 Development of the Partnership 95% of Technical Academy students were enrolled in at least one dual credit course in programs taught on the Richland campus: Ag, CAD, Fire Science, IT, Graphic Arts 2010 programs that could transition into existing RCC facilities: CNA, Medical Coding, Criminal Justice, Office Technology, Broadcast Technology Programs that required new space: Culinary Arts, Welding, Early Childhood, Auto Body, Renewable Energy, Construction Technology, Cosmetology, and Diesel Technology 4

5 Development of the Partnership Early buy-in by Tech Academy Superintendents. Reduced transportation costs Centralized training/education for district high schools Available space at Richland s state-of-the-art laboratories Leveraged broader taxing body and support for CTE 5

6 Heartland Technical Academy Participating High Schools Argenta-Oreana Atwood-Hammond Central A&M Cerro Gordo Decatur Christian Decatur Public Schools DeLand Weldon Lovington High School Lutheran School Association Maroa-Forsyth Meridian Mt. Zion Okaw Valley Richland Community College Sangamon Valley St. Teresa Warrensburg-Latham 6

7 Leveraging Partnership Resources Critical considerations that needed for success to development of the partnership: Faculty Facilities Finances 7

8 Leveraging Partnership Resources Faculty/Students Engages students in college to increase greater educational success Faculty efficiency increased Shared Faculty Purchased Services Introduces H/S students to College environment High school student maturity 8

9 Leveraging Partnership Resources Facilities Elimination of duplication of space and equipment Utilize existing space Optimize transportation Enhanced Lab space 9

10 Leveraging Partnership Resources Finances Strengthening of the High School funding Stabilization of Tuition for Dual Credit Students Established contractual agreement in 2006 Heartland partnership high school contributions for tuition must not increase 10

11 Advantages for Richland Potential for benefits of expanding dual credit occupational courses Decision-4-Decatur served as a vehicle to initiate Heartland partnership discussion RCC Board acceptance of concept early in the process Being good stewards of resources that support student learning and achievement Strong support for connecting with workforce development goals Collaboration enhances other opportunities with Heartland s Superintendents 11

12 Advantages for Heartland Promotes seamless education degree completion Transportation is currently coming to RCC Further consolidation on RCC s location Enabled program offerings Leverage resources Eliminated duplication All programs contain a dual credit component programs to be developed to promote certifications and degrees Expanded student services through use of RCC staff IEP follow up and work closely with RCC Accommodations 12

13 Key Partnership Ground Rules Heartland Technical Academy governance remains independent from Richland Technical Academy is responsible for student discipline, staffing, finances and staff evaluations Regional Superintendent s Office is the fiscal agent Both parties put the student s best interest first 13

14 New Facility Development 14

15 New Facility Development 15

16 New Facility Development 16

17 Project Financing Assumption: RCC district virtually the same as EFE district same tax payers Leverage RCC ability to issue debt through funding bonds $16.1 million Equipment funding: $1 million from College Foundation $400 thousand INAM grant $75 thousand grant from local foundation Debt Certificates 17

18 Where are we today High School curriculum better aligned with College programs Transfer to College simplified Certificates awarded to HS students New programs being offered for both entities Enhanced transfer programs Synergy between Heartland Technical Academy and RCC to deliver quality courses and curricula Completion of construction by Fall