IHCDA, Postsecondary Options/Concurrent Enrollment

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The Board believes that students who wish to pursue postsecondary level work while in high school should be permitted to do so. In accordance with this policy and accompanying regulation, high school students may receive course credit toward the fulfillment of high school graduation requirements for successful completion of approved postsecondary courses offered by institutions of higher education.

This policy and accompanying regulation do not apply to students seeking to enroll in postsecondary courses pursuant to the Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) program or a “dropout recovery program” pursuant to the Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act (the Act). Students seeking to enroll in the ASCENT program or a dropout recovery program will work with district administrators and meet the Act’s applicable requirements.

Students participating in this program will still be considered as enrolled in the district and eligible for all high school activities at their high school of enrollment as long as they meet the requirements of the Colorado High School Activities Association.

Definitions

For purposes of this policy and accompanying regulation, the following definitions based in state law will apply.

"Concurrent enrollment" means the simultaneous enrollment of a qualified student in a district high school and in one or more postsecondary courses at an institution of higher education.

Concurrent enrollment does not include a student’s simultaneous enrollment in a district high school and in one or more career and technical education courses, advanced placement course, or International Baccalaureate course; or a district high school and a postsecondary course that does not fall within the definition of concurrent enrollment.

"Qualified student" means a person who is less than 21 years of age and is enrolled in ninth grade or higher grade level in a local education provider.

"Postsecondary course" means a course offered by an institution of higher education and includes coursework resulting in the acquisition of a certificate; an associate degree of applied sciences, general studies, arts, or science; and all baccalaureate degree programs.

"Institution of higher education" means:

1. A state university or college, community college, junior college, or area vocational school as described in title 23, C.R.S.;
2. A postsecondary career and technical education program that offers postsecondary courses and is approved by the state board for community colleges and occupational education pursuant to applicable state law; and
3. An educational institution operating in Colorado that meets the Act's specified criteria.

Eligibility

Qualified students seeking to enroll in postsecondary courses at the district's expense and receive high school credit for such courses will follow the procedure accompanying this policy, including but not limited to timely submitting an application and establishing an academic plan of study. Qualified students must meet the minimum prerequisites and academic readiness for the postsecondary courses in which they seek to enroll.

The Board determines the manner in which it provides opportunities for concurrent enrollment. However, the district will not unreasonably deny approval for concurrent enrollment or limit the number of postsecondary courses in which a qualified student may enroll unless the district is unable to provide access due to technological capacity.

Academic credit

Academic credit granted for postsecondary courses successfully completed by a qualified student will count as high school credit toward the Board's graduation requirements, unless such credit is denied.

High school credit will be denied if a qualified student does not receive a passing grade for the postsecondary course. High school credit will be denied for postsecondary courses that do not meet or exceed the district's academic standards. High school credit will also be denied for a postsecondary course substantially similar to a course offered by the district, unless the qualified student's enrollment in the postsecondary course is approved due to a scheduling conflict or other reason deemed legitimate by the district. Concurrent enrollment is not available for summer school.

Agreement with institution of higher education

When a qualified student seeks to enroll in postsecondary courses at an institution of higher education and receive high school credit for such courses, the district and the participating institution will enter into a written cooperative agreement in accordance with the Act.

Payment of tuition and additional costs

The district will pay the tuition for postsecondary courses successfully completed by a qualified student and for which the qualified student receives high school credit. The tuition paid by the district for the qualified student's successful completion of an approved postsecondary course will be in accordance with the Act and the district's cooperative agreement with the institution of higher education.

Prior to paying the tuition for any qualified student, the district will require the student and student's parent/guardian to sign an agreement stating if the student fails or otherwise does not complete the postsecondary course for any reason without consent of the principal of the high school in which the student is enrolled, the student and/or the student's parent/guardian will repay the amount of tuition paid by the district on the student's behalf.

The qualified student and the student's parent/guardian will be responsible for the cost of textbooks and fees for postsecondary courses.

Transportation

The district will not provide or pay for the qualified student’s transportation to the institution of higher education.

Notice

Information about the concurrent enrollment options, will be made available annually to all students in grades nine through twelve and to their parents/guardians. In addition, at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the enrollment period for postsecondary concurrent enrollment courses, written notice (which may be sent electronically) will be provided to high school students and their parents/guardians of the postsecondary courses offered at no tuition cost to qualified students at the district and at an institution of higher education, any anticipated costs of textbooks and fees to the qualified student for those courses, and the number and transferability of course credits that a qualified student may earn by enrolling in and successfully completing a concurrent enrollment course.

Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each local education provider will collaborate with the community college system in providing concurrent enrollment information to the parents of students in grades 6-8.

The District will comply with all reporting requirements of the State Board of Education.

Adopted March 20, 1991
Revised December 9, 1992
Revised March 2, 1994
Revised December 6, 1995
Revised July 8, 1998
Revised November 28, 2018
Revised October 21, 2020
Revised February 2, 2022

Legal References

C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1) (nn) (discussion of the requirements for and benefits of concurrent enrollment must be part of ICAP process)
C.R.S 22-35-101 et. seq. (Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act)
C.R.S. 23-60-202.7 (requirement to provide information concerning concurrent enrollment to parents of middle school students)
1CCR 301-86, (State Board of Education rules regarding the Administration of the Concurrent Enrollment Program)

Cross References

IJNDAB, Online Learning
IKF, Graduation Requirements
JFC, Student Withdrawal from School/Dropouts