Start in High School
TRIO Talent Search can help you achieve your goals in high school & college
TRIO Talent Search is a federally-funded grant program that identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to the postsecondary school of their choice. TRIO Talent Search also serves high school dropouts by encouraging them to reenter the educational system and complete their education. The goal of TRIO Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in the postsecondary education institution of their choice.
Location & Hours
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri. KCC Riverfront Campus
Room L20B
Contact
815-802-8570
talentsearch@kcc.edu
Staff
Apply to TRIO Talent Search
You may qualify for TRIO Talent Search if you
- Reside in a home where neither parent has received a bachelor’s degree
- Live in a household that meets TRIO Talent Search income guidelines
- Have completed 5th grade and are at least 11 years old
- Would benefit from educational support to succeed in school at Kankakee High School, KJHS, or SACHS
- Have the desire to succeed in middle school, junior high or high school
- Possess potential and interest in pursuing a college education
To Apply
- Complete the Talent Search application online (Application available in Spanish, by choosing from the language options)
- To request a paper application be sent by mail contact our office at 815-802-8570 or email talentsearch@kcc.edu. You can return the application to your school guidance office or TTS staff; fax it to 815-802-8101 or mail it to the TRIO Talent Search office at KCC.
TRIO Talent Search Office
Kankakee Community College
100 College Drive
Kankakee, IL 60901
Students & Parents
The program assists low-income, and/or first-generation, potential college-bound students in grades seven through twelve in the following schools: Kankakee High School, Kankakee Junior High School, St. Anne Community High School.
The program is administered at KCC through a U.S. Department of Education grant. Six hundred students are served in the TRIO Talent Search program each school year. All services provided by the program are free to all the student who qualify and are enrolled.
For a list of resources and updated info, visit our website at talentsearch.kcc.edu.
The KCC Upward Bound program is designed to improve students’ achievement in high school and prepare them for success in college. As a federally funded grant made possible by the U.S. Department of Education, Upward Bound Scholars are provided FREE support and services from the time they enter the program until they enter the college or university of their choice. Students also earn a small monthly cash stipend for their participation in events and activities.
Eligibility
- Attend Kankakee High School or St. Anne Community High School.
- Demonstrate potential for success in college.
- Have a sincere interest in going to college and completing a 2-year or 4-year degree program.
- Need academic assistance or other services to overcome barriers that hinder the continuation of an education after high school.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- Family income and educational background of parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are considered for eligibility.
Contact us/Contáctenos
For more information, please email Upward Bound (upwardbound@kcc.edu) or contact a program coordinator.
Staff
Benefits of Joining Upward Bound
- Academic Preparedness
Achieve higher grades through:- In-person and virtual tutoring;
- Regular check-ins with staff;
- Academic preparedness workshops; and
- ACT, SAT & PSAT preparation.
- College/Career Readiness
Get a first-hand experience of what college will be like, including:- How to identify which college majors and career paths might be right for you;
- College campus visits;
- Information on funding your education;
- College Prep & Success Workshops;
- Assistance with college applications, scholarships, financial literacy, and FAFSA; and
- Professional job shadowing opportunities.
- Social-Emotional Learning
Enhance your personal development and well-being through sociocultural events, life skills workshops, community service opportunities, and other activities that encourage you to engage with others from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Commitment
- Academic Year Component
Throughout the academic year, Upward Bound Scholars are provided support and services designed to supplement course material learned in their high school, including additional instruction twice a month at KCC; group and individual tutoring; college visits; and educational/cultural field trips. Students are expected to participate in all activities and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. - Summer Residential Component
Through a full six-week experience, Upward Bound Scholars develop awareness of college life. First, participants complete a 3-week summer enrichment program at KCC, including classes, college/career exposure, and other activities. In the final 3 weeks, students live and learn at Illinois State University while experiencing life as a college student! - Bridge Component
During the summer after high school graduation, eligible Upward Bound Scholars may enroll in up to two (2) KCC courses for college credit. Academic requirements apply.
Application & Admissions Process
Prospective participants and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must complete an application to begin the admission process. Students also can be referred by their principal, teachers, counselors and community members. Only complete applications with all necessary documentation will be considered. Upon receiving applications, KCC’s staff will contact potential candidates for interviews prior to program acceptance.
Stay informed - FREE Resources
Upward Bound Scholars learn the importance of staying informed, finding resources and knowing about relevant events. Options include:
- Upward Bound website
- The Upward Bound App - Download from your phone’s app store. Search for “Upward Bound at KCC.”
- The UB BEAT Newsletter
Schedule an Appointment
The Upward Bound staff is available to help with scholarships, the college application process, and more.
Dual credit courses are taught at selective local high schools or online by high school district teachers or KCC faculty. Students receive both high school and college credit for KCC-approved courses.
Getting Started
- Contact your high school to ask if it offers dual credit opportunities.
- Complete KCC’s online application. On the application, for student type, select “I want to take college dual credit classes while still in high school.”
Benefits of Dual Credit
- Earn both high school and college credit
- Save the cost of college tuition
- Gain access to and knowledge from higher-level coursework
Note: Credit awarded toward high school graduation is at the discretion of the student’s high school.
For more information, contact Kim Jeffreys at 815-802-8472 or kjeffreys@kcc.edu.
Students 16 years of age and older can enroll in college credit classes at KCC campuses while still enrolled in high school. Dual enrollment students must meet the same requirements as all other students in the class and earn college credit, not high school credit. KCC tuition charges apply.
Steps to Enroll
- Apply online with the student type of “I want to take college credit classes.”
- Submit any ACT/SAT/GED test scores and/or high school and previous college transcripts to admissions@kcc.edu
- Take any required placement exam(s)
- Speak with an advisor to register for classes by contacting advising@kcc.edu or calling 815-802-8500
Benefits of Dual Enrollment
- Earn college credit early!
- Gain access to coursework not offered in high school
- Experience campus life
For more information, contact 815-802-8500 or advising@kcc.edu.
The Early College Program allows select, qualified juniors and seniors from area high schools to earn both their high school diploma and work toward a college degree by attending KCC full-time during their junior and/or senior year of high school. Participants are selected by their high school. Payment for the program is at the discretion of the high school district. For more information view the Early College Program PDF.
Getting Started
Contact your high school to ask if it participates in KCC’s Early College Program. If it does, work with your guidance counselor to complete required forms.
Benefits of the Early College Program
- Earn college credit early!
- Save the cost of college tuition
- Gain access to coursework not offered in high school
- Experience campus life
- Ease your transition from high school to college
- Receive support services
For more information, contact Laura Ryan at 815-802-8513 or lryan@kcc.edu
Dual Credit Administrative Handbook
Dual credit allows eligible students an opportunity to complete college level courses prior to graduating high school.
Dual credit courses are KCC courses offered to eligible secondary school students at participating high schools. Enrolled students receive both high school and college credit for the work. To participate in the KCC Dual Credit Program, your institution must first review and sign a Dual Credit Memorandum of Understanding. More information is in the Getting Started section.
Use links below to learn how to offer dual credit, and understand faculty qualifications.
Forms/Applications
- Dual Credit Course Application
- Articulated Credit Course Application
Note to high school students and parents
Learn about dual credit from your high school advisor or check out Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit.
Step 1: Administrative Agreements
Memorandum of Understanding
All partnering high schools must have a signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding on file with KCC prior to requesting a dual credit or articulated credit course. The MOU details the expectations of dual credit or articulated credit between KCC and the high school and complies with the Illinois Dual Credit Quality Act as well as the Administrative Rules of the Illinois Community College Board. Please see the appendix for a copy of this form.
Dual Credit Handbook and Deadlines
High schools will receive updated copies of the Dual Credit Handbook and any supporting materials (including the Course Master Syllabus) in a timely manner. All forms and required paperwork must be completed in their entirety and submitted by posted deadlines to be considered.
Step 2: Course Development and Staffing
Eligible Courses for Dual Credit
Courses offered as dual credit are drawn from the KCC course catalog. The high school must first request approval for a course to be offered as dual credit. Courses requested may be a dual credit renewal (if the course has been taught by that high school before) or a new course request.
Eligible Courses for Articulated Credit
Courses currently offered for articulated credit include MATH 1113, MATH 1123, MATH 1414 and MATH 1424. The high school must first request approval for a course to be offered as articulated credit. Courses requested may be an articulated credit renewal (if the course has been taught by that high school before) or a new course request.
Course Syllabus and Submissions
The dual credit course as offered by the high school must follow the curriculum and schedule developed by KCC faculty, as described in the course Master Syllabus. A copy of the high school syllabus that incorporates these expectations must be submitted in the paperwork for review. Advance Placement courses may be an exception to this rule.
Faculty Credentialing
KCC will determine whether a faculty member is minimally qualified to teach in a discipline. See the faculty eligibility information. Faculty teaching Articulated Credit do not need to meet advanced degree qualifications.
Step 3: Registering Students for Dual Credit
Student Enrollment in KCC, Placement Testing and other Student Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for dual credit, students must be in good standing and demonstrate a proficiency that qualifies them for college level work. Prior to applying for dual credit all high school students must complete the designated KCC college placement test or establish proficiency by SAT scores, if applicable. Students may retake placement tests in a timely manner if they are not satisfied with their results. Students should speak to their counselors about the scheduling and availability of these placement tests. These tests must be completed prior to established deadlines; students will not be admitted into a course after it has begun.
Some courses may have additional prerequisites that students must meet to be eligible to take the course. If students require any certifications as pre-requisites, it is the responsibility of the high school teacher to collect and file these verifications. Please review the KCC course guide for more information.
Student Application Form and Fees
Students first must apply to KCC; then complete the online dual credit registration form they receive from their high school counselor. If the student is under age 18, a parent or legal guardian must also sign it. KCC will confirm eligibility of all students who apply to the program. There are no fees or tuition for students taking dual credit at their own high schools when they are taught by high school faculty meeting the minimum qualifications.
Step 4: Conducting the Course
Faculty Record Keeping
All dual credit faculty must comply with the established due dates set forth in the Dual Credit Calendar.
There are due dates for the following:
- Student placement testing
- Student paperwork (college recommendation form, transcript, assessment scores and registration form)
- Final roster
- Midterm attendance verification
- Student withdrawal list
- Final Grade
- Student evaluations
Faculty teaching articulated credit must submit the following by the established due dates:
- Student paperwork (registration form)
- Final roster
- Midterm attendance verification
- Final grade
- Student evaluations
Class Observations
Faculty teaching dual credit or articulated credit for KCC may be evaluated once a year by the associate dean or another appointed representative of the college. View the observation form. Follow up conversations or observations may be scheduled as needed.
Requesting a New Dual Credit Course
Consult the appropriate associate dean to determine if a course has been offered for dual credit or articulated credit at your high school. If it has not, please complete the New Course Application for Dual Credit. Deadlines have been established so that KCC faculty have time to review and respond to these requests.
Dual Credit Info/FAQ
Quick Info
Dual credit has several benefits:
- Studies show that students who participate in dual credit increase their likelihood of completing high school, as well as in enrolling and persisting in college.
- Dual credit courses reduce the cost of college tuition and fees, while accelerating time to degree completion.
- Dual credit courses contribute to closing the achievement gap by encouraging a wider range of students to pursue advanced education and training.
- Accelerating degree completion helps students enter the workforce sooner.
The National Mandate
Dual credit is mandated by law; view a copy of the Dual Credit Quality Act. The Illinois Board of Higher Education also offers general information.
Frequently asked questions
What courses are available for dual credit?
Dual credit courses must be selected from the KCC course catalog and approved by the appropriate KCC Associate Dean in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Illinois Dual Credit Quality Act and the Administrative Rules of the Illinois Community College Board. Many KCC courses that have been approved as part of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) are appropriate as dual credit. Additionally, certain career and technical education courses may be offered for dual credit. To develop dual credit courses at your school, contact the appropriate associate dean as early as possible.
For more information about current courses offered at KCC, visit KCC’s online catalog.
Do all colleges and university accept dual credit for college credit?
Courses that are part of the IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) are accepted by the 96 colleges/universities in that program. KCC accepts dual credit. Students should refer to transfer guides of the colleges/universities under consideration to determine the transferability of other courses.
Is dual credit the same as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate?
No. All three programs offer advanced coursework to eligible students. However, their purpose and impact differs. For information on Advanced Placement, see the College Board website. The International Baccalaureate Program website has details on that program.
Can my institution offer the same course for dual credit and Advanced Placement?
It depends. Each dual credit request is considered individually. For dual credit, KCC’s learning outcomes must be the foundation on which the instructional assessments and evaluation strategies are designed.
What is articulated credit?
Articulated credit allows high school students to complete a junior or senior year math class using the curriculum developed by KCC faculty. College placement tests are not required. Note that passing an articulated credit class is defined by KCC standards: 70% or higher. Articulated credit at KCC is approved for MATH 1113 - Tech Math I, MATH 1123 - Tech Math II, MATH 1414 - Basic Algebra, and MATH 1424 - Intermediate Algebra. A passing grade in MATH 1424 ensures college readiness in math.
Which students are eligible to participate in dual credit?
To enroll in a dual credit course, students should be juniors or seniors, in good academic standing, and meet all KCC prerequisite and placement requirements for the course. Once enrolled, students will be bound by KCC’s academic and administrative policies, including the Code of Student Conduct.
How are the quality and rigor of dual credit courses assessed and maintained?
Dual credit courses are subject to the same evaluation and review procedures established for all other classes at KCC. They include a periodic review of syllabi, classroom observations, student evaluations, and programmatic assessment. In addition, KCC periodically conducts an audit of dual credit offerings to ensure the courses continue to meet academic and disciplinary standards.
Can we offer dual credit for some—but not all—students in a course?
Yes, provided all students in the class meet the prerequisite requirements established by KCC, and the class adheres to KCC’s administrative guidelines, curriculum and policies. Failure to comply will forfeit college credit for all students enrolled in that course section.
Can students enrolled in dual credit withdraw once the semester has begun?
Yes, pursuant to KCC deadlines and policies regarding student withdrawals.
Faculty Information
Faculty eligibility
KCC will use the following process to determine whether a faculty member meets minimum qualifications in a discipline:
- For general education courses, must hold a master’s degree or higher in the discipline or subfield; or a master’s degree in any field plus at least 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline or subfield.
- For health careers courses, minimum qualifications are set on a program-by-program basis as mandated by state and federal legislation and the program’s accrediting body.
- For all other career and technical education courses, must demonstrate at least one of the following
- Minimum six years of experience in the field to be taught, with appropriate occupational credential(s) or proficiency exam scores for the course(s); or
- An associate degree in the field to be taught, plus a minimum of three years of experience in the field and appropriate occupational credentialing or passing proficiency exam scores for the course/s; or
- A bachelor’s degree in the field to be taught.
All candidates to teach at KCC must submit materials to the associate dean, who will ensure the eligibility requirements are met. After review, the associate dean will recommend assignment to the Vice president for academic affairs.
When there are questions about a faculty member’s qualifications, the associate dean will consult with other faculty in the discipline. As appropriate, the associate dean may write the rationale for accepting the credentials to have included in the faculty members’ personnel file. Continued retention of employment may be contingent upon completing additional coursework.
Faculty teaching Articulated Credit do not need advanced degree qualifications.
Expectations for dual credit faculty
At the beginning of the semester, an email will be sent that details expectations and due dates for deliverables. Please also note the following:
- Calendar: An email is sent out prior to course start for due dates of midterm reports and final grades, withdrawal date, and the Student Evaluation of Instruction (SEI).
- Class hours: All faculty are expected to conduct at least the minimum number of lecture and lab contact hours as approved by the Illinois Community College Board.
- Course syllabus: A copy of the syllabus must be submitted to KCC with initial paperwork.
- Course materials: Student course materials, including tests, quizzes, essays, and other graded assignments should be saved for one year, unless they are returned to students. After one year, these materials should be destroyed. Storage for course materials is available at KCC. Records of grades should be kept for a minimum of three years.
- Email: All KCC employees have an Outlook email account which may be accessed on the internet or at KCC. Outlook mail can be forwarded to another designated email. KCC’s Helpdesk (815-802-8900 or helpdesk@kcc.edu) can help set it up. Faculty are strongly encouraged to check their email every 24-48 hours.
- Grades: Midterm reports and final grades must be submitted in KCConnect by the dates provided in the beginning of semester email sent out by the associate dean.
- Midterm attendance: The Midterm Verification report must be completed. This consists of a check box on the page where the Midterm attendance is entered. Faculty can start submitting reports up to five days before the midterm date.
- Final grades: Faculty can start submitting grades up to five days before the official end of the course. When students earn grades of WX or F, faculty also must enter a last date of attendance.
- Grade books and End of Semester Responsibilities: At the end of the semester, an electronic copy of final grades must be submitted to the associate dean. It is a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to post grades using any portion of a student’s Social Security Number or student ID number.
- KCConnect: The faculty area has rosters, grade reporting, search for classes, the faculty member’s schedule and student profiles. KCConnect and Outlook email use the same username and password. There is a link to KCConnect in https://my.kcc.edu under Bookmarks and Links (or go to https://connect.kcc.edu.) Contact the Helpdesk at 815-802-8900 or helpdesk@kcc.edu for assistance logging into KCConnect or any other KCC application.
- Student Evaluation of Instruction: Course evaluations will be mailed before the course midterm. Please follow the directions for distributing and returning them, which is provided with the packet. The deadline is printed on the packet.
Support for Dual Credit Faculty
- Canvas Training: Refer to the Teaching and Learning Center website.
- Helpdesk: Contact the Helpdesk at 815-802-8900 or helpdesk@kcc.edu for any technical assistance.
- Meetings: Adjunct/dual credit faculty members are not required to attend divisional faculty meetings, but are invited and welcome to attend. Contact the division administrative assistant for meeting dates, times, and locations.
- Professional development opportunities: Formal professional development will be offered through the KCC Teaching and Learning Center and the office of the Vice president for academic affairs.
- Teaching and Learning Center/Canvas: The TLC is located in KCC Room L317. Faculty can access instructional and technological resources and assistance with Canvas is available. The TLC website has links to TLC staff, tutorials, special events and workshops, and resources.