Running Start

Please share this information with anyone in your building involved with Running Start.

There are now 5 ways to determine Running Start eligibility:

Completed at least THREE semesters of high school with a cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0
SAT scores ≥ 470 (average of reading and writing scores)
ACT scores ≥ 19 (average of English and reading scores)
Smarter Balance Test (see attached)
New writing test that is scored by English department (this option is done only if you do not have one of the above)

Only one of these is needed to determine eligibility. If you are using the ACT or SAT, you must provide official scores to the SFCC Testing Center. If you are using the cumulative GPA, you must provide an official high school transcript to the SFCC Testing Center.

If the student does not have an eligible test score, or 3.0 GPA, the student must schedule the new writing test through the SFCC Testing Center.

Students will be given directions on how to schedule the writing test in their Welcome Letter sent from the Running Start office after they apply. Also included in the letter is their unique ID number with instructions on how to activate their ctcLink Student Accounts. They will need the SID in order to schedule their test date.

The Math test is the MyMath Test (MMT). Students can now choose to activate the MMT when they feel ready. Please encourage students to work through the MyMath Study Program and practice tests. The MMT is only given at Spokane Falls Community College. Also, students are able to use their ACT or SAT scores to place into Math 107, Math 221 or Phil 120. The necessary scores are: ACT score 23; SAT score 550. This score will not place a student into Math 141 (Pre-Calculus). Students may choose the Algebra Intensive Pathway or Math Literacy Pathway when activating the My Math Program. Both Pathways will allow students to take a math class necessary to complete the AA Degree.

We had several late applications this fall. Please encourage students to apply for Fall quarter between February 1 and May 15, 2017. An email will be sent to the high school counselor once the student meets eligibility. This will give students a much better chance of getting into the classes they want Fall quarter, as Fall registration begins in May.

All newly eligible SFCC Running Start students must attend a RS seminar before they can register. Their eligibility letter will include the URL to use in order to schedule a seminar date. Since we do not get many new students starting Winter and Spring quarters, we only have one seminar for those quarters. You can see that Fall quarter we have several seminar dates to choose from.

The Seminar includes:

How to navigate the SFCC Website, to see Class Schedule, Course Descriptions and Programs of Study
How to register using ctcLink
How to navigate and use the new ctcLink Student Center
How to read their HS course equivalency guide (Please make sure you update these on our CCS District website every year).
Understanding the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF).
The Associate of Arts Degree requirements

Please make sure students have applied and met eligibility before attending a seminar. Also, remind students to bring their Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF) to the seminar, and make sure it is completed and signed by the high school counselor, the student, and their parent.

The RS Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF) must be completed each quarter. Students need to turn these in prior to registering. Therefore, please remind students to get them in by the following dates, in order to register on time and get the best selection of classes.

Winter Quarter ~ Nov 1
Spring Quarter ~ Feb 1
Fall Quarter ~ May 1 (For Returning Students)

New students should bring the Enrollment Verification Forms with them to the seminar (dates listed above). Make sure you are now using the MOST CURRENT Enrollment Verification Form, which you can now print out online. I only need one copy, so make a copy for yourself, and send a copy with the student. EVFs and other RS resources and forms can be found at: http://www.ccs.spokane.edu/Forms/District-Forms/Academic-services/Running-Start.aspx

The Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF) has a place for counselors to print and sign your name as well as a phone number, which has been helpful in case I need to get in touch with you to share information about a student. Also, please make sure to completely fill out the section on the number of high school classes and how many FTE’s that equals. Remind students that they and their parents must sign and date the form. EVFs will not be processed without all signatures. I sign the forms once I receive them.

Most schools are now up and running with the CCS Running Start SharePoint Site. On this site you can see Enrollment Verification Forms, Grade Transcripts, Academic Plans, Waivers, Enrollment Reports and important dates and information to help you and your students. For permissions and assistance with the SharePoint Site, contact Gail Ferrell at the CCS District Office, 533-8806 or Gail.Ferrell@ccs.spokane.edu

The requirement for all new students to meet with the RS Coordinator/Counselor to develop an Academic Plan during their first quarter of attendance has proven to be very successful for graduation and degree completion. I am excited to report that 147 students from the class of 2016 received their high school diploma and Associate of Arts Degree at the same time. This is a direct result of the value of doing Academic Plans the first quarter students are here.

Hopefully, you have also found the Academic Plan to be helpful. When you meet with Running Start students, be sure to ask them to show you their Academic Plan or find a copy of the plan on the CCS RS SharePoint site.