IHCDA - Concurrent Enrollment IHCDA - Concurrent EnrollmentThe Board believes that students who are capable of and wish to pursue college-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.
Definitions
For purposes of this policy and accompanying regulation, the following definitions will apply.
"Concurrent enrollment" means the simultaneous enrollment of a qualified student in a district high school and in one or more post secondary courses at an institution of higher education.
"Qualified student" means a person who is less than 21 years of age, is enrolled in the _10th_ grade or higher grade level, and meets all prerequisites for concurrent enrollment as outlined in the student handbook.
"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:
a. A state university or college, community college, junior college, or area vocational school as described in title 23, C.R.S.;
b. 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
c. 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 must 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, subject to available resources. However, the district may not unreasonably deny approval for concurrent enrollment or limit the number of postsecondary courses in which a qualified student may enroll, subject to limitations of payment of tuition as noted below, 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
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. The institution of higher education may charge additional tuition and/or associated fees to the qualified student or the student's parent/guardian in addition to the tuition paid by the district.
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 must repay the amount of tuition paid by the district on the student's behalf.
All concurrent enrollment courses will require approval by the principal or designee prior to enrollment, and shall meet the admission requirements of the institution in which the course/credit will be given.
The qualified student and the student's parent/guardian will be responsible for the cost of textbooks and fees for post secondary courses.
Transportation
The district will not provide or pay for the qualified student's transportation to the institution of higher education.
Notice
Information about concurrent enrollment options will be made available to high school students and their parents/guardians on an annual basis. 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.
Adopted: September 25, 1990
Revised: November 1999
Revised and recoded: March 26, 2010
Revised: January 2017
Revised: January 11, 2022
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(nn) (discussion of the requirements for and benefits of concurrent enrolment 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)
1 CCR 301-86 (State Board of Education rules regarding the Administration of the Concurrent Enrollment Program)
CROSS REFS.: IHBK*, Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success
IJNDAB*, Instruction through Online Courses
IKF, Graduation Requirements
JFC, Student Withdrawal from School/Dropouts