Dual Enrollment Math Frequently Asked Questions

The Georgia Department of Education has provided a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding Dual Enrollment Mathematics. Please click here to access the DE Mathematics FAQ.

1. What is Dual Enrollment?

Dual Enrollment is a program that provides funding for students at eligible high schools that are enrolled to take approved college-level coursework for credit towards both high school and college graduation requirements. Dual Enrollment is a program that allows any eligible high school student, including home school and private school students and students with disabilities, to take postsecondary coursework and simultaneously earn credit towards a high school diploma, a technical college certificate, an industry certification or an associate or baccalaureate degree at a Georgia public or eligible private postsecondary institution. Dual Enrollment is one of a number of acceleration options available that enable students to pursue a rigorous curriculum for high school graduation, as well as earn credit towards a degree or industry certification. The goal of Dual Enrollment is to increase college access and completion and prepare students to enter the workforce with the skills they need to succeed.

The Dual Enrollment admissions requirements for the University System of Georgia (USG) Institutions can be found here: USG DE Admission Requirements. Dual Enrollment information for the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) can be found here: Dual Enrollment at TCSG. Dual Enrollment Information for the Georgia Independent College Association can be found here: http://www.georgiacolleges.org/media/de.

2. How do the Dual Enrollment mathematics course codes align to the high school mathematics courses that are required to graduate?

Effective Summer 2016, the Dual Enrollment Program offers postsecondary degree level and professional diploma level course options in mathematics. Approved postsecondary courses for dual enrollment are listed in the Dual Enrollment Approved Course Directory located on GAfutures.org. Select dual enrollment courses have been approved to satisfy the fourth mathematics requirement for high school graduation. The high school course numbers attached to the Dual Enrollment courses are unique codes which identify the course name and post-secondary institution where the course was completed. Course matching to high school courses will no longer be needed; dual enrollment high school course codes should be used on the high school transcript in lieu of the high school course numbers listed in the IDA(3) list of state-funded high school course catalog.

3. Which high school mathematics requirements may be satisfied through the Dual Enrollment program?

Once Advanced Algebra/Algebra II has been completed, students should choose a fourth mathematics course option based on their post-secondary and career aspirations (STEM vs. non-STEM careers). The Mathematics Graduation Requirement Guidance Document provides guidance on selecting an appropriate fourth course option. In addition to select high school courses, the fourth mathematics requirement may also be completed through the Dual Enrollment program. If a student is interested in Dual Enrollment, he/she should first contact their high school counselor to discuss the college courses that have the rigor necessary to satisfy the fourth mathematics requirement for high school graduation and to receive appropriate guidance based on their major and post-secondary plans.

4. Which college mathematics courses may be taken through the Dual Enrollment program?

Only those mathematics courses that appear in the Dual Enrollment Approved Course Directory found on the GAfutures website may be taken through Dual Enrollment. Post-secondary institutions will assist with college-level Dual Enrollment course descriptions. All students must meet postsecondary admissions and course prerequisite requirements. While it may vary by college, test scores may be used to determine the appropriate placement. In some cases, this may be the same test scores used for admissions, but some colleges may require students to take a separate placement test. In addition, some college courses require the successful completion of a prerequisite college course or courses. Finally, since some college courses may be designed for students in specific majors, the college may consider a Dual Enrollment student’s academic goals when determining appropriate placement. Additional guidance can also be found in the GSFC FAQs.

5. What should be listed on a student’s transcript when they enroll in and successfully complete an approved Dual Enrollment mathematics course?

The student’s high school transcript must be an accurate record of the courses actually taken through the Dual Enrollment program. High school counselors are not expected to match high school course names with college courses since Dual Enrollment mathematics courses have unique course codes and authentic course titles. The Dual Enrollment course listed on the student’s record should match the course name and code found in the Dual Enrollment Approved Course Directory located on GAfutures.org. It is important for the student’s academic record to be an accurate reflection of the courses actually completed by students.

6. Are Dual Enrollment courses awarded core or elective credit?

Approved Dual Enrollment mathematics courses can meet mathematics requirements for graduation once the student has completed Algebra II/Advanced Algebra. Some Dual Enrollment courses are awarded core mathematics credit whereas some courses are awarded mathematics elective credit. Courses that include content beyond Algebra II/Advanced Algebra may be used to meet the fourth core mathematics requirement for graduation.

7. Will students pursuing the High School Postsecondary Graduation Opportunity per the 2015 Senate Bill 2 be required to have more than two high school core mathematics credits?

Mathematics courses may be embedded in a postsecondary program or major as a required course.
The O.C.G.A. 20-2-149.2 (2015 Senate Bill 2) states that a local board of education may award a high school diploma to a student enrolled in coursework at a post-secondary institution if the following criteria are met:

a. Student has completed at least the following state required ninth and tenth grade level high school courses: two English courses, two mathematics courses, two science courses, two social studies courses, and one health and physical education course; and any state required tests associated with any such courses;
b. Student has received a score of admission acceptable on the readiness assessment required by the postsecondary institution; and

c. Student has completed: (i) an associate degree program; (ii) a technical college diploma program and all postsecondary academic education and technical education and training prerequisites for any state, national, or industry occupational certifications or licenses required to work in the field; or (iii) at least two technical college certificate of credit programs in one specific career pathway and all postsecondary academic education and technical education and training prerequisites for any state, national, or industry occupational certifications or licenses required to work in the field as determined by the Technical College System of Georgia.
*HB444

8. Can diploma-level mathematics courses at TCSG institutions be used for a required core mathematics credit for high school?

No. Diploma-level courses may be awarded mathematics elective credit; however, the TCSG diploma-level courses will not meet high school mathematics graduation requirements.

9. How will the Dual Enrollment program impact students relative to NCAA eligibility?

NCAA requires students to complete 16 core courses, including three years of mathematics (Algebra 1 or higher). Students who earn mathematics core credits in the three courses required by the Georgia Graduation Rule, Algebra I or Coordinate Algebra, Geometry or Analytic Geometry, and Algebra II or Advanced Algebra, for a total of three core credits, will meet eligibility requirements for NCAA. To earn a high school diploma in Georgia, students need to earn core credit in four mathematics courses for graduation. Courses completed through the Dual Enrollment program that go beyond Algebra II/Advanced Algebra to satisfy the student’s fourth mathematics graduation requirement may also satisfy requirements for NCAA eligibility.

10. Since Algebra II/Advanced Algebra must be completed at the high school, is it unlikely that juniors are able to participate in Dual Enrollment full-time?

No. Some juniors will be eligible to take college level mathematics coursework. Talented mathematics students are often provided the opportunity to begin high school mathematics coursework in middle school in an accelerated or advanced sequence or in ninth grade in an accelerated level sequence. Students also have the option of completing Georgia Virtual courses for acceleration. These students will have completed Algebra II/Advanced Algebra prior to their eleventh-grade year in high school and will, therefore, be prepared for college level Dual Enrollment mathematics coursework at that time.

11. Would students on an accelerated math sequence be eligible for Dual Enrollment mathematics courses in their junior year?

Yes. Students enrolled in an accelerated sequence of mathematics courses who begin high school coursework in middle school may be eligible for Dual Enrollment mathematics courses in either 10th or 11th grade, depending upon their course sequence; those who begin accelerated high school coursework in 9th grade are eligible in the 11th grade once they have completed Advanced Algebra/Algebra II. All students must meet postsecondary admissions and course prerequisite requirements.

12. Is it accurate to conclude that all high school students must take Algebra I or Coordinate Algebra, Geometry or Analytic Geometry and Algebra II or Advanced Algebra (or the equivalents) and that only the fourth mathematics credit can be earned at the post-secondary institution?

This is accurate for the majority of students, but not all. Students who enter high school having completed high school mathematics course(s) without the credit showing on the high school transcript and proceed to earn credit for Algebra II or Advanced Algebra (or its equivalent) early in their high school career can continue their acceleration into college/university by earning more than the fourth mathematics credit at the post-secondary institution. In general, students can fulfill mathematics requirements through the Dual Enrollment Program after receiving credit for Algebra II or Advanced Algebra. However, when students complete high school mathematics courses prior to ninth grade or through acceleration options, they may begin to take mathematics courses through the Dual Enrollment program earlier, which would allow them to earn several core mathematics credits at the postsecondary institution. Also, eligible students pursuing the High School Postsecondary Graduation Opportunity associated with the O.C.G.A. 20-2-149.2 (2015 Senate Bill 2) and State Board of Education Rule 160-4-2-.34 DUAL ENROLLMENT - MOVE ON WHEN READY may meet specific criteria to satisfy graduation requirements. Students may choose to enroll in Dual Enrollment mathematics courses for elective credit, as well.

13. Is there a COLLEGE-level course that is equivalent to the Algebra II or Advanced Algebra high school course?

No, because students are prepared for college level mathematics courses only after they have mastered the college readiness standards which culminate in Advanced Algebra or Algebra II. Neither College Algebra nor any other college course has been approved as an equivalent of Algebra II/Advanced Algebra. Algebra II or Advanced Algebra is required for high school graduation.

14. Will students who are applying to participate in Dual Enrollment need to take Algebra I/Coordinate Algebra, Geometry/Analytic Geometry, and Algebra II/Advanced Algebra at the local high school?

Yes. With the exception of students participating in the High School Postsecondary Graduation Opportunity (SB2), students will need credit in Algebra I OR Coordinate Algebra, Geometry OR Analytic Geometry, Algebra II OR Advanced Algebra, and a fourth mathematics course option to meet high school mathematics graduation requirements. For eligible students based on district requirements, some of these courses can be taken in middle school, which provides more options for students to take higher level courses in high school. Each of these course requirements are also offered in virtual programs, such as Georgia Virtual School, for students who prefer or require that option. The fourth course option can be an approved Dual Enrollment course.

15. Can College Algebra be used as an equivalent for Advanced Algebra or Algebra II for high school graduation requirements?

No. Students should have already completed Algebra II/Advanced Algebra or its equivalent. College Algebra is not an equivalent of Advanced Algebra or Algebra II. The Mathematics Graduation Requirement Guidance Document references equivalent courses.
“NOTE: Accelerated Coordinate Algebra/Analytic Geometry A and Accelerated Analytic Geometry B/Advanced Algebra include the standards of Coordinate Algebra, Analytic Geometry, and Advanced Algebra. At the present time, these are the only equivalent courses for Coordinate Algebra, Analytic Geometry, and Advanced Algebra. Accelerated Algebra I/Geometry A and Accelerated Geometry B/Algebra II include the standards of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. At the present time, these are the only equivalent courses for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.”
It is important to note that College Algebra has not been approved (nor any other college mathematics course) as an equivalent to meet the high school graduation requirement of Advanced Algebra or Algebra II.

16. Can a student participate in Dual Enrollment mathematics coursework after only completing Algebra I/ Coordinate Algebra and Geometry/Analytic Geometry?

No. Georgia students are prepared for college-level mathematics courses once they have mastered college readiness standards which culminate in Advanced Algebra or Algebra II. For that reason, there are no Dual Enrollment course equivalents for Algebra II/Advanced Algebra approved. Algebra II or Advanced Algebra is required to meet high school mathematics graduation requirements.
This document was developed in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Education, the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, the Georgia Independent College Association, and the Georgia Mathematics Advisory Council.