Dual Enrollment in Middle School and High School is something that L.I.F.E. feels homeschool parents should enter with as much knowledge as possible, and that is why we are providing the following information.  L.I.F.E. is officially neutral on the issue of homeschool involvement in public school activities, preferring to leave it to the discretion of individual parents. Many families want to take part in such programs, while many others feel as if they have fought to be free of public school involvement and want nothing more to do with public schools. My (Cherie Goldsmith) personal belief is that families should be cautious about accepting such programs as they are inviting public school authority in that area of your family's education.  With that said, here is Transylvania County Schools? new policy on dual enrollment.  (I have underlined items that have changed, been added or I feel are important to understand).  I hope this helps you and your family in making an informed decision should you consider dual enrollment.

File:  JECA-R Private/Home Schools ? Enrollment

          MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT                      

      This agreement outlines the expectations for dual enrollment in on-line courses in Transylvania County Schools. The purpose of the agreement is to protect the integrity of academic and extra-curricular programs in Transylvania County Schools and make consistent the expectations for all students taking dual enrollment courses. This will ensure that Transylvania County Schools can provide parents and students with a positive and high quality dual enrollment experience.                    

            The parent/guardian and the school agree to the following:                   

            1.  The parent/guardian will complete the enrollment process at the appropriate school and produce all required documentation (e.g., birth certificate, immunization records, etc.).                       

            2.  Students who take only on-line courses must register through Davidson River School. Students who take on-line courses in addition to attending a school campus will be registered and monitored at the school site of attendance.       

            3.  Students who take on-line courses must produce documentation of their enrollment in a non-public education program (e.g., private, parochial, or home school).             

            4.  Per Policy JECA (see below), students must be enrolled for a minimum of one-half of the school day (at least 2 periods/blocks).  In order for students to be eligible to participate in athletics/extra-curricular activities, at least 1 of the 2 minimum required periods/blocks must be taken on the school campus for the entire school year after the initial enrollment.          

            5.  The school principal holds the final decision regarding course selection.

            6.  The enrolling school will maintain all academic records in NC WISE and produce a progress report every 4½ weeks and a report card every 9 weeks.  Report cards will be available for pickup one week after the end of the grading period.        

            7.  Students enrolled in on-line courses must complete no less than 90 hours of active instruction in each NovaNet course with a minimum grade of 70.  Progress will be monitored on a quarterly basis.          

            8.  Students must meet all applicable state and local standards for course credit, testing, and promotion (e.g., EOG tests, EOC tests, computer skills tests, writing test, science test, etc.).  Students who do not complete required tests will not be re-enrolled.  English 12 will not be offered as an on-line course.  Keep in mind that any testing done in a public school does not qualify for the testing that is required by DNPE law.

            Parents/guardians and the school must sign this agreement before a student can enroll in school.            

            Please note that Transylvania County Schools has a limited number of portals for some on-line programs.  There may be times when the number of students attempting to use the program exceeds the number of portals available.  In such cases, students may temporarily lose access to the program.        

            APPROVED BY BOARD AND EFFECTIVE 2/6/06          Transylvania County Schools        

File: JECA Private/Home Schools - Enrollment 

Students attending private schools, private parochial schools, and home schools will be permitted to simultaneously enroll in Transylvania County Schools for a minimum of one-half of the school day.  For elementary schools, one-half of the school day will be calculated in minutes.  In high schools, one-half of the school day will be determined by periods.  Enrollment for less than one-half of the school day will not be permitted.