This FAQ applies to both Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra courses.
Students who have taken Multivariable Calculus may choose to move on to Linear Algebra.
What type of course is Multivariable Calculus (MVC) in PAUSD?
MVC is categorized under the concurrent (not dual) enrollment category. Foothill College has been offering MVC as an online course outside of the regular bell schedule since the 2019-20 school year. The Foothill instructor does not hold a high school teaching credential. Scroll down for definitions of Concurrent and Dual Enrollment.
How many sections of the course have traditionally been taught?
One (1) section for approximately 30 students from both high schools in PAUSD.
What is the history of advanced math courses from community college at PAUSD high schools?
2012-2015
A PAUSD teacher, who was also employed by Cañada College as an instructor, taught the classes through Cañada College. The course was offered outside of school hours. Students from both Paly and Gunn could participate and had to travel to the high school campus where the course was offered, if it was not at their campus of enrollment.
2016-2018
The advanced math courses were taught by other Cañada College instructors; offered mid-way through 7th period plus after school hours, to accommodate the course being a college course and students traveling to either Gunn or Palo Alto High School.
2019-2023
Beginning in 2020, the course moved to an online platform taught by a Foothill College instructor outside of school hours.
The California Department of Education (CDE) updated the dual enrollment parameters in the 2020-21 school year, categorizing these courses as concurrent enrollment.
What is concurrent enrollment?
Concurrent enrollment refers to students taking community college courses that have not undergone curricular alignment or articulation with high school courses. Students in concurrent enrollment courses may transfer credit based on the credit acceptance policy, and these courses are generally scheduled outside of regular bell schedules. The instructors teaching concurrent enrollment courses at the college level do not need high school teaching credentials.
What is dual enrollment?
Dual enrollment is a type of concurrent enrollment guided by the College and Career Access Pathways Act-CCAP (AB 288).
Dual enrollment students take courses, during the regular bell schedule, from PAUSD teachers who hold a high school teaching credential. The California Community College system requires that these instructors meet the minimum qualifications to issue college credit. These courses have gone through a curricular alignment process with Foothill-De Anza Community College District. In addition, PAUSD staff are authorized by the Foothill-De Anza Community College District to teach specific dual enrollment courses through College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP).
Whom may I contact for questions regarding dual enrollment guidelines?
For questions or additional information: Click Here.
What is the difference between College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) courses and non-CCAP courses?
Dual enrollment courses refer to high school courses that have gone through curricular alignment with a community college. Dual enrollment students are enrolled in two institutions concurrently, therefore earning high school credits and college credits simultaneously. There are two categories: College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) and non-CCAP.
- CCAP authorizes California Community College districts to enter into formal partnership agreements with local school districts to expand access to concurrent enrollment opportunities for high school students (AB 288) opportunities for students who may not already be college bound or who are underrepresented in higher education. These courses are taught during the school day by Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) teachers, who are authorized by the Foothill-De Anza Community College District to teach specific dual enrollment courses. Grading for CCAP dual enrollment courses is as follows:
- Students in dual enrollment courses receive regular credit per course. For example, if a high school level course earns five credits, the dual enrollment version of that course also earns five credits.
- Grades, upon completion of the course, will be weighted similarly to Advanced Placement (AP) or Honors (H) classes in weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) calculations, as they are rigorous courses that have gone through an alignment process with the community college.
- All other community college courses are non-CCAP courses. Non-CCAP courses are taught by community college instructors during after-school hours.
- Prior approval is needed to enroll, and the official community college transcript is provided to the high school so that the course may be added to the high school transcript.
- Non-CCAP courses receive double credit; e.g., a five-unit class receives 10 units of credit.
- Courses taken off-campus with prior approval will be listed as Credit or No Credit on the PAUSD transcript and will not be included in the GPA.
- Students are expected to include their official community college transcript/s as part of their college applications, in addition to the PAUSD transcript. (PAUSD Administrative Regulation AR 6146.11 - Alternative Credits Toward Graduation)
What resources are available for students taking Multivariable Calculus?
Students should contact their counselors with specific questions regarding transcript and graduation requirements, or visit the high school's Off-Campus Courses Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page (Palo Alto High or Gunn High).
Is there a cost for classes?
Foothill and De Anza Colleges offer multiple sections of MVC at no cost. High school students are eligible to enroll in any community college in the state without charge as long as they are enrolled in courses that earn them less than the number of units determined by the college. Please refer to the Foothill and De Anza websites for specific information.
How are these math courses identified at Foothill and De Anza colleges?
Foothill course codes are:
- Multivariable Calculus: MATH 1C and 1D
- Linear Algebra: MATH 2B
Can students take Multivariable Calculus at a college or university other than Foothill or De Anza?
Yes, students can take courses from colleges other than Foothill or De Anza and may transfer credit based on the credit acceptance policy, which includes pre-approval. There may be a cost at other colleges.
What is the teaching credential requirement for dual enrollment?
With a recent update from CDE, community college instructors need a high school teaching credential to issue high school credit in dual enrollment (More information at this link for the CDE's Frequently Asked Questions page - question 1). In order to teach a dual enrollment course, PAUSD teachers need to be authorized by the community college to issue college credit.
What is the difference between Single Credit (Concurrent) versus Dual Credit (Dual Enrollment) course?
