File: IHCDA - Concurrent Enrollment

NOTE: While Colorado school districts are not required by law to adopt a policy on this subject, some content in this sample reflects legal requirements school districts must follow under the Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act, C.R.S. 22-35-101 et seq. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the district should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

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.

NOTE: HB22-1390 removed the cap of 500 ASCENT slots and instead allows for all qualified students to participate in the program; there is no longer an ASCENT slot allocation process. The bill also reduced the number of postsecondary credits required to qualify from 12 to 9. Additional information on the ASCENT Program is available through the CDE Office of Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness (PWR) News.

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 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 secondary career and technical education courses, advanced placement courses, or international baccalaureate courses; an early college course and a postsecondary course; a p-tech school and a postsecondary 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 the ninth grade or higher grade level.

"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. 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 unless the district is unable to provide access due to technological capacity.

NOTE: The Act provides that students are eligible to enroll in postsecondary courses beginning in ninth grade. C.R.S. 22-35-103 (15). State law requires that, beginning with the 2020-21 school year, districts that enroll students in grades nine through twelve must provide qualified students in all grades nine through twelve the opportunity to concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses as provided in the Act. State law also specifically states that while school Boards "may determine the manner in which concurrent enrollment opportunities are provided," the district and school administrators "shall not unreasonably deny a qualified student approval to concurrently enroll in a postsecondary course." Additionally, the school Board "shall not limit the number of postsecondary courses...a qualified student may concurrently enroll during the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade, except to the degree that the local education provider is unable to provide access to the postsecondary courses due to technological capacity." C.R.S. 22-35-104(1)(a)(I)-(III). While "technological capacity" is not explicitly defined in law or rule, it is understood to refer to broadband limitations.

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.

NOTE: The Act created a Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Board. C.R.S. 22-35-107. This Board's responsibilities include advising and assisting school districts, BOCES, and institutions of higher education in preparing cooperative agreements. The Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Board has approved model cooperative agreements between districts and institutions of higher education and has developed model applications, forms and checklists, which are available on the Colorado Department of Education's website.

Payment of tuition and additional costs

The district will pay the tuition for postsecondary courses in accordance with the Act and the district´s cooperative agreement with the institution of higher education.

NOTE: Prior to SB19-176, State law allowed the Board to determine the total number of postsecondary credit hours for which the district will pay. State law now requires that, beginning with the 2020-21 school year, districts that enroll students in grades nine through twelve must provide and pay tuition for qualified students in all grades nine through twelve the opportunity to concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses as provided in the Act. The district cannot 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. C.R.S. 22-35-104 (1)(a)(I)-(III). The Act, however, does limit the number of postsecondary credit hours in which a qualified student who is not a participant in the ASCENT program and has not satisfied the Board's minimum graduation requirements by the end of the student's twelfth grade year (i.e., a fifth year student) may enroll through concurrent enrollment. The statutory limit is a maximum of nine credit hours. C.R.S. 22-35-104 (1)(d).

NOTE: SB19-176 repealed the provision at C.R.S. 22-35-105 (3)(b), which allowed an institution of higher education to charge additional tuition and/or associated fees to the qualified student and the qualified student's parent/guardian in addition to the tuition paid by the district. That is now prohibited. Concurrent enrollment courses are to be at no tuition cost to the qualified student and the student's parent/guardian, no matter the format or the location in which the course is delivered. The qualified student and the student's parent/guardian may be responsible for the cost of textbooks and fees.

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

NOTE: State law allows districts and institutes of higher education to have qualified students and the student´s parents/guardians be responsible for the cost of any textbooks and fees for postsecondary courses. The sample language states that the qualified student and the student´s parent/guardian "will be" responsible for such additional costs. The Board should review this language and may wish to consider alternative language depending on local circumstances and needs. For example, "will be" can be changed to "may be." This change would give the district discretion to determine what costs may be assessed to the qualified student and the student´s parent/guardian. Districts may use other sources of funds, such as gifts, grants, and donations, to assist with textbooks and fees.

Transportation

The district shall 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.

NOTE: State law specifies the requirements for the required notices to high school students and their parents/guardians. See C.R.S. 22-35-104 (b)(I)-(V).

NOTE: State law requires schools to ensure that, in developing and maintaining each student's "individualized career and academic plan" (ICAP), the counselor or teacher explains to students' and their parents/guardians the requirements for and benefits of enrolling in postsecondary courses pursuant to the Act. The explanation to students' parents/guardians shall be by electronic mail or other written form. C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(nn).

Information about concurrent enrollment options and the benefits of participating in concurrent enrollment during high school will be provided to middle school students and their parents/guardians electronically at least once during the school year and at least once during the summer.

NOTE: State law requires the community college system, in collaboration with districts, to develop and provide informational materials to the parents of 6th-8th graders explaining the benefits of participating in concurrent enrollment programs in high school. At a minimum, the community college system must provide these materials electronically at least once during the school year and once during the summer months, and may also provide the information through other appropriate means. C.R.S. 23-60-202.7.

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REFS.: 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)

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

[Revised August 2022]