Starting in January, high school seniors in Chilton County will have the option of earning college credit while fulfilling their high school requirements at Jefferson State’s Clanton campus.

Yesterday, the Chilton County Board of Education entered into an agreement with the college to begin offering dual enrollment and dual credit.

Eligible students may take English 101 and 102 during regular school hours and have those courses count toward both high school and the postsecondary level.

“I’m glad we’re having a partnership with Jeff State,” Superintendent Keith Moore said. “It’s going to enhance the offerings we have for our students.”

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Participating students will have to pay normal tuition as required by Jeff State. They also must have a “B” average, written approval of the principal and superintendent, and must have completed 11th grade or have an exception granted by the college upon recommendation of the student’s principal and superintendent in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Code regarding gifted and talented students.

Six semester credit hours at the postsecondary level equal one credit at high school level, according to the Student/Parent Information Guide for Chilton County Schools.

Parents or students needing more information about the dual enrollment program should contact their individual school.

In other business, the Board of Education accepted the following resignation and hires:

Resignation of Clifford Neeley, teacher at Clanton Middle School, effective Dec. 19.

Hiring of Raymond Tyc, math teacher at Chilton County High School.

Hiring of Jennifer Sullivan, teacher assistant at the Chilton Alternative Program, for the remainder of the 2008-09 school year.