File: IHCDA - Concurrent Enrollment File: IHCDA - Concurrent EnrollmentThe 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 shall 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 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 means a person who is less than 21 years of age and is enrolled in the 10th 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.
"Institute 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.
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 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 received 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.
Prior to paying the tuition for any qualified student, the district will require the student and the 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.
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 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 of transferability of course credits that a qualified student may earn by enrolling in and successfully completing a concurrent enrollment course.
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.
Adopted February 9, 1993
Revised July 17, 1995
Revised July 21, 1997
Revised April 13, 1998
Revised December 14, 1998
Revised October 12, 1999
Revised June 10, 2002
Revised May 16, 2005
Revised September 22, 2014
Revised June 24, 2020
Revised July 21, 2021
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(nn) (discussion of the requirements for and benefits of concurrent enrollment must be part of the 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