Dual Enrollment Overview

Dual Enrollment gives middle and high school students the opportunity to begin their college journey while they are still enrolled in K-12 education. For many families, this is also the first time a student becomes part of a college system.

College brings different expectations, privacy rules, deadlines, grading practices, and communication practices than families may be accustomed to in K-12 education. This page explains what families should know and how parents and guardians can support students while helping them develop the independence expected of a college student.

What Is Dual Enrollment?

Dual Enrollment allows K-12 students to enroll in college courses while they are still attending middle or high school. Ventura College offers three common Dual Enrollment pathways:

• CCAP: Courses offered through a formal agreement between Ventura College and a participating school district, usually during the regular high school day.
• Non-CCAP: Ventura College courses offered in partnership with a high school or district outside a CCAP agreement, often outside the regular bell schedule.
• Self-Select: A high school student independently chooses an existing VCCCD course that fits the student's interests, goals, and schedule.

Regardless of the location or pathway, a Ventura College course is a college course and becomes part of the student's college academic history.

Benefits and Important Considerations

• Benefits: Dual Enrollment can help students earn college credit while still in high school, explore academic and career interests, experience college-level coursework, build confidence and independence, and potentially save time and money toward future college goals.
• Responsibilities: Families should also understand the responsibilities that come with college enrollment. Grades become part of the student's permanent college record. Students must meet college-level attendance, assignment, and deadline expectations. Unsuccessful coursework or repeated withdrawals may affect future academic standing, transfer, or financial aid eligibility.
• Goal setting: The best results come when students take courses that match their readiness and connect to a clear academic, transfer, certificate, or career goal.

College Is Different From High School

• College instructors provide a syllabus that explains course rules, assignments, grading, attendance, and deadlines.
• Faculty may not send reminders for every assignment or deadline.
• Students may not receive regular progress reports or marking-period grades.
• Students are expected to monitor Canvas, college email, grades, and deadlines.
• Students communicate directly with their instructors and use office hours when they need help.
• College add, drop, and withdrawal deadlines may be different from high school schedule-change deadlines.
• Final grades become part of the student's college record.

Dual Enrollment is a valuable transition period because students can begin learning these responsibilities while they still have support from their family and high school.

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What Is My Role as a Parent or Guardian?

Your role remains important, but it changes once your student enters the college environment. Instead of managing the student's college account or communicating with instructors on the student's behalf, you can help your student learn how to manage those responsibilities independently.

• Helpful questions to ask:
  • Have you checked your Ventura College email?
  • Have you checked Canvas?
  • What assignments or exams are coming up this week?
  • Have you reviewed the syllabus?
  • Do you know your current grade?
  • Have you contacted your instructor?
  • Do you know the withdrawal deadline for this course?
  • Would tutoring, counseling, or another college service help?

Helping your student prepare an email, organize a calendar, or think through a conversation with an instructor can be very helpful while still allowing the student to take responsibility for the communication.

FERPA: Why the College Communicates With the Student

• Privacy protection: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, protects the privacy of college education records. When a student begins attending a postsecondary institution, FERPA rights related to the college record belong to the student, regardless of age.
• Limited access: Parents and guardians do not automatically have access to the student's grades, academic records, enrollment information, Canvas, instructor communications, transcripts, or MyVCCCD account. Parents also cannot normally add or drop a college class on the student's behalf.
• Student responsibility: This is why students should activate their MyVCCCD account, protect their login credentials, monitor their college email, and learn to communicate directly with the college.

Can I Contact My Student's Instructor?

Parents may have questions about a course, but college instructors generally work directly with the student regarding grades, assignments, attendance, performance, and other student-specific educational information.

• Encourage direct communication. If you are concerned, encourage your student to contact the instructor, attend office hours, ask for clarification, or request help.
• Institutional concerns. If the concern involves a broader program or safety issue rather than the student's protected academic record, contact the appropriate high school or Ventura College administrator.

College Course Content and Parent/Guardian Discretion

• College-level standards: College courses are designed for college students. Course content may include mature, controversial, or challenging topics, readings, media, discussions, laboratory experiences, performances, or assignments that differ from what families typically encounter in K-12 courses.
• No modifications for minors: College course content and academic standards are not modified simply because a student is a minor. Families should review the course description, discuss the student's academic readiness and maturity, and consider whether the course is an appropriate fit before approving enrollment, especially for younger students.
• Review the syllabus: After the course begins, the syllabus provides additional information about course content, assignments, expectations, and grading.

How the Enrollment Process Works

The exact process depends on the student's high school and Dual Enrollment type, but students generally complete the following steps:

• Apply to Ventura College
• Receive a Ventura College student ID number
• Activate MyVCCCD
• Select an approved course
• Complete the school/parent approval process
• Clear prerequisites
• Complete registration
• Confirm the course appears on the official MyVCCCD schedule

Some schools use the Dual Enrollment Recommendation e-form, while participating schools use DualEnroll. Families should follow the process assigned to the student's high school and avoid submitting both processes unless directed to do so.

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What If a Course Is Full or Waitlisted?

Approval to take a course does not guarantee that a seat will be available. If a course is full or waitlisted, the student should follow the college registration guidance for that enrollment type and contact the high school counselor or Dual Enrollment team before choosing a different course or section.

• Check for replacement requirements: A replacement course may require a new approval or prerequisite clearance.
• Follow CCAP rules: CCAP students should not register themselves into a different section unless instructed by their high school and Ventura College.

Fees, Textbooks, and Materials

• CCAP students: Are exempt from fees, and required textbooks/instructional materials are provided at no cost under the CCAP agreement.
• Non-CCAP and Self-Select students: Eligible K-12 students are exempt from the enrollment fee, but other college fees, textbooks, access codes, supplies, or materials may apply depending on the course and enrollment type.
• Financial assistance: If cost is a concern, encourage the student to contact Ventura College before dropping the course so staff can review available resources and options.

Grades Become Part of the Student's College Record

A Ventura College course creates a college academic record. The final grade may appear on the student's permanent Ventura College transcript and may later be considered when the student attends Ventura College, enrolls elsewhere, transfers to a university, or applies for financial aid.

• Monitor progress early: Parents can help by encouraging students to monitor their progress throughout the term rather than waiting for the final grade.
• Review key tools: Ask the student to review Canvas, instructor feedback, the syllabus, and upcoming deadlines.

Understanding College Grade Symbols

College transcripts may include symbols beyond A-F. Knowing what they mean can help families understand the student's record. The Ventura College Catalog contains the official definitions and rules.

• P / NP: Pass / No Pass. These grades are generally not calculated into GPA, although course and program rules vary.
• I: Incomplete. Used only in specific circumstances under college rules. It is not simply an extension because a student has unfinished work.
• IP: In Progress. Used for certain courses that extend beyond the normal grading period.
• RD: Report Delayed. A temporary symbol when a grade has not yet been reported for reasons outside the student's control.
• W: Withdrawal. Shows that the student withdrew after the applicable deadline. It remains part of the academic record.
• EW: Excused Withdrawal. May be approved under applicable college rules.
• MW: Military Withdrawal. Used for qualifying withdrawals related to military service.
• SP: Satisfactory Progress. Used in designated courses when the student is making satisfactory progress but has not completed all requirements.
• CRE: Credit by Examination. Indicates credit awarded through an approved credit-by-exam process.

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Dropping or Withdrawing From a College Course

College courses have specific add, drop, and withdrawal deadlines that may differ from high school deadlines. If your student is struggling or considering leaving a course, encourage the student to act early rather than simply stop attending.

• Talk with the college instructor.
• Speak with the high school counselor.
• Check the deadline for the specific course in MyVCCCD, the Student Schedule/Bill, or the Schedule of Classes.
• Consider speaking with a Ventura College counselor before making a decision.
• Complete the process. Make sure the college drop/withdrawal process is actually completed. A high school schedule change does not automatically remove a student from a college course.

College Transcripts and High School Credit

• Transcript separation: The student's Ventura College coursework appears on a college transcript that is separate from the high school transcript.
• High school credit: For Non-CCAP and Self-Select courses, the student should confirm how the high school will award high school credit. The student may be responsible for requesting an official Ventura College transcript and providing it to the high school.
• Future applications: After high school, colleges and universities may require the student to report Ventura College attendance and submit an official college transcript. Each receiving institution determines how the college credit will apply to its own degree, major, general education, or transfer requirements.

Financial Aid and Future College Eligibility

Because Dual Enrollment courses become part of the student's college academic history, grades and units attempted can matter later when financial aid eligibility and academic progress are reviewed. This does not mean families should avoid Dual Enrollment. It means students should choose a manageable course load, take the course seriously, seek help early, and understand withdrawal and grading consequences before deadlines pass.

• For questions about financial aid, families should consult Ventura College Financial Aid.

How Can I Tell if My Student Needs Help?

College may not provide automatic progress reports to parents. Regular, supportive conversations can help students identify problems early.

• Questions to discuss:
  • What does Canvas show?
  • Are all assignments submitted?
  • What is coming up this week?
  • Have you attended every class?
  • Have you talked with your instructor?
  • Have you used tutoring or office hours?
  • Do you know the withdrawal deadline?
  • Is there anything about the course or college process you do not understand?

Seeking help should be normalized. Dual Enrollment students are entitled to college tutoring, counseling, library, accommodations, Basic Needs, and other eligible student supports in addition to resources available through their high school.

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K-8 Students: Additional Considerations

K-8 students complete an additional Ventura College review before registration. The student should first apply, obtain a Ventura College student ID number, complete the required Dual Enrollment approvals, and then follow instructions to meet with the Ventura College designee responsible for the additional review and one-time hold clearance when applicable.

• Readiness review: The meeting helps the student understand the college environment, course materials, FERPA, the student portal, tuition/fees, and college services.
• Family evaluation: Families should also carefully consider the student's maturity, ability to work independently, reading/writing demands, pace of the course, and the possibility of mature or controversial college-level content.

Parent & Guardian Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I log into MyVCCCD or Canvas for my student?

  The college account belongs to the student. Students should manage their own credentials and college business.

• Can I add or drop a class for my student?

  College enrollment actions generally must be completed by the student through the approved college process.

• Can the instructor tell me my student's grade?

  Instructors generally communicate directly with the student regarding protected educational information.

• Does Dual Enrollment create a permanent college record?

  Yes. College coursework becomes part of the student's college academic history.

• Does a high school absence automatically excuse a college absence?

  Not necessarily. Students must follow the college instructor's attendance policy.

• Who sends the college transcript to the high school?

  For Non-CCAP and Self-Select courses, the student may be responsible for requesting and providing the transcript. Confirm with the high school.

• Should my student wait until they are failing to use tutoring?

  No. Tutoring, office hours, and academic support are appropriate at any point in the course.