File: IHBK* - Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

The Board believes that to decrease student dropout rates, increase graduation rates and encourage all students to reach their learning potential, it is important to support students in planning for postsecondary and workforce opportunities throughout their education. To promote students' postsecondary and workforce success and in accordance with state law, the district shall provide the following opportunities and information.

Sixth grade:  Each student who enrolls in the sixth grade, on the day of enrollment, will be encouraged to register with the state-provided, free online college planning and preparation resource, commonly referred to as "CollegeInColorado."

Eighth grade:  The Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) will provide information to the parents/guardians of eighth grade students about the admission requirements for institutions of higher education in Colorado. In addition, the district will make information available to these same parents/guardians about the courses the district offers that meet the CCHE admission requirements. This information will be made available to parents/guardians prior to the student's enrollment in his or her ninth grade courses.

Beginning in ninth grade: District personnel shall assist students to develop and maintain individual career and academic plans (ICAP) in accordance with the requirements of state law. Each student's ICAP will be designed to assist the student and the student's parent/guardian with the following:

•  exploring the postsecondary career and educational opportunities available to the student;

•  aligning coursework and curriculum;

•  setting performance expectations;

•  meeting academic and career goals;

•  applying to postsecondary education institutions;

•  enabling the student to demonstrate postsecondary and workforce readiness prior to or upon high school graduation;

•  securing financial aid; and

•  ultimately entering the workforce.

The district's plan for the development and implementation of student ICAPs shall be in accordance with this policy's accompanying regulation.

Adopted March 6, 2010

Revised March 22, 2011

Revised July 23, 2014

Revised January 14, 2020

Reviewed August 21, 2023

LEGAL REFS.:  C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(ff) (notice of courses that satisfy higher education admission guidelines)

C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(oo) (board duty to adopt policy requiring individual career and academic planning for students no later than the beginning of ninth grade)

C.R.S. 22-32-109.5 (4) (district may administer "developmental education" placement or assessment tests to determine postsecondary and workforce readiness; if such test is administered, score shall be included on student's ICAP)

C.R.S. 22-54-138 (career development success program provides financial incentives to participating districts to encourage completion of industry-credential programs, apprenticeships and advanced placement courses)

1 CCR 301-81 (rules governing standards for individual career and academic plans)

CROSS REFS.: IHCDA, Concurrent Enrollment

IKF, Graduation Requirements