1. Dual Credit Student Selection
Best Practices
Tina Pedersen, Student Success Consultant
Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
Dana Ramsay, Program Coordinator
Simcoe County District School Board

2. Workshop Goals
To share ideas on best practices for dual credit student recruitment with a focus on the primary target audience (at-risk, disengaged/underachieving)
To examine challenges we face in student recruitment despite our best practices and to share those challenges with you
To provide an opportunity for you to share best practices and challenges with each other so we can learn more about what works and what doesn’t

3. Student Success Teams PD
Bring Student Success teams together to present dual credit as a pathway option
Explain what a dual credit is and how it works for teachers who are new to the program
Review application/referral process
Provide pathways scenarios as an activity incorporating dual credit as one of the options

4. Dual Credit Lead At Each School
Ideally there is a dual credit lead or “champion” at each secondary school, learning centre or alternative education site
Building relationships with the lead is key (more on that later); you may have to cultivate a relationship with someone who hasn’t necessarily been assigned the role of dual credit lead
Connecting regularly with leads through face-to-face meetings, and phone calls helps maintain the important connection between dual credit programs and secondary schools

5. Guidance/SST Breakfast Forum
Guidance/SST breakfast forums were held on 3 campuses of Georgian College: Barrie, Muskoka, Owen Sound
Based on feedback provided at this meeting we made some programming changes
We also learned what teachers don’t know about dual credit
You Are Invited To A Breakfast of Dual Credit Champions!
Hear program success stories
Learn about semester 2 courses
Get your dual credit questions answered
Tour the college campus
Share your ideas for the future

6. Dual Credit Area on Staff Website
Viewable only to school board staff
Updated each semester
Includes course descriptions, registration & withdrawal forms, info on the withdrawal process, course status (full, waitlisted, still open)
One stop shopping for all relevant dual credit information by semester

7. Referral sheet
Accompanies application, status sheet and college registration
Additional details can be provided
Criteria are from the 2013 Dual Credit Policy Document

8. Vetting Process
Once applications are received: referrals are vetted through:
Referral sheet
Status sheet
Application
Conversations, if needed, with referee
Students are admitted, based on best fit and need, this information is communicated to the school, and some students may be placed on a waiting list

9. School Visits
Present to College level classes, student groups identified through the student success teams, staff meetings (dual credit support teacher, Board lead)
Whenever possible, bring a former dual credit student or use video testimonial
Central Lakes Regional Planning Team website

10. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
Unused spots by Board are shared on a informal and formal basis, not only to ‘hit’ SCWI targets, but to unsure dual credit opportunities are provided to students whenever possible
Due to the difference in recruiting time, target audience and need to come close to ‘actuals’, relationships with those referring in the schools are very important
Compare the answers your students gave on the previous slide to what the provincial stats are. Discuss differences.

11. Now It is Your Turn
On post it notes, outline at least one best practice your school, Board, or Regional Planning Team (feel free to outline more than one)
You can also outline any particular challenges
Share with someone that has the same coloured Post-it
For any challenges, brainstorm possible solutions.
Share back with the large group