1. Running Start

2. Running Start
The Rock Valley College Running Start program is a dual-credit program that provides high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college courses as part of their high school education.

3. Running Start Programs:
2-Year Program—a degree completion program where students complete their High School Diploma and Associate’s degree simultaneously during their junior and senior years.
Students can complete an Associates of Arts (AA) or Associates in Science (AS) degree.
Students complete a total of 64 credit hours for an AS or AS degree.
1-Year Program—a non-degree completion program that allows students to enroll in credit courses during their senior year (No RPS).

4. Running Start Courses Courses students will take:
English (Composition I & II, Speech, and Literature)
History (U.S. History I & II)
Government (American National Government)
Economics (EXCEPT District #100)
Math (College Algebra & Trigonometry/Calculus or Statistics)
Sciences (Biology, Physical Sciences)
STU 100- Planning for Success (Summer 2020)
Electives - Courses related to interests/major

5. Block Scheduling Benefits:
Keeps students on track for high school and Rock Valley College graduation
First year students have time to acclimate before flexibility in year two
Less likelihood of course cancellation
Make connections with other Running Start students

6. Student Timeline: Prequalify Testing
Student meets pre-qualification criteria
Student meets with high school counselor
Testing
Student takes ACCUPLACER test. Student must score college-level in all areas (Reading/ English/ Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra & Statistics)
Acceptance
Student receives Acceptance Packet
Student reviews and returns Acceptance Packet
Orientation
Student attends mandatory orientation (May 2020)
Student completes STU-100 course (May/June 2020)

7. Student Center building
ACCUPLACER Testing
Students will test in three areas:
Reading (20 Questions)
Writing (English) (25 questions)
Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, & Statistics (approx. 60 questions-20 each section)
No calculator
No time limit
Prepare for the Placement Test:
Visit:
Web based study app to familiarize student with test content and format
Logistics:
Individual Testing (Walk-in Hours):
9am-2pm
Select 8am-12pm
Individual Testing (By Appointment Hours):
Tuesday & Wednesday evenings until 5:30 pm (must be completed by 8pm)
Field Trip on November 5th to test as a school
RVC Testing Center
Student Center building
Ground Floor
(815)

8. Responsibilities
School District Responsibility: Tuition costs (as outlined in MOU)
Student Responsibility:
Purchase books and class materials
Transportation to and from campus
Pay full tuition for repeated courses (and any classes taken during summer semesters)
Use campus resources:
Follow Rock Valley College campus calendar
Communicate absences, missed work, and questions with professors.
Free Tutoring
Math Lab
Writing Center
Science Lab
Library
Computer Labs

9. RVC Student Life Running Start students are encouraged to:
Join a club (Running Start Club, Phi Theta Kappa, Model UN, Future Problem Solvers, etc.)
Participate in campus events
Form study groups
Use the Fitness Center
Attend a show at Starlight Theater

10. Program Timeline for 2020-21 Academic Year
Running Start
Program Timeline for Academic Year
Quick Look
Date:
Task:
ASAP
Students complete Rock Valley College Enrollment Form.
December 4, 2019
Testing deadline (all testing must be completed by this date).
December 20, 2019
High School will send roster of eligible students to RVC-EC.
January 10, 2020
RVC-EC will review and send back to the high school a list of approved students.
January 17, 2020
High school will select students based on the process outlined by the district. High school will send back to RVC-EC a final and confirmed list of approved students.
January 24, 2020
RVC-EC will mail packets to accepted students.
February 20, 2020
Students must return required forms to RVC-EC.
April 2020
Class registration will be completed by RVC-EC.
Students must activate their RVC student accounts.
Early May 2020
Running Start Orientation
May 2020/ June 2020
Program begins! Students attend STU 100- Planning for Success summer course.
June 2020
High School s accepted students’ Spring transcripts to confirm successful completion of Running Start eligibility requirements.
October 2020
RVC-EC registers all Running Start students for Spring 2020 classes, will each high school their students’ anticipated courses.
December 2020
RVC-EC s each high school their students’ Fall 2019 final semester grades, alert the high school which students are on academic probation and which are returning to the high school
RVC-EC registers all Running Start students for Fall 2020 classes, will each high school their students’ anticipated courses.
May 2020
RVC-EC s each high school their students’ Spring final semester grades, alert the high school which students are on academic probation and which are returning to the high school.

11. Questions & Answers