SREB High School to College and Careers

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1 Accelerated Learning Options, Alabama High school sophomores, juniors and seniors may participate in dual credit opportunities. Students participating in dual enrollment must have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and meet admission test criteria set by the institutions. Students who are pursuing dual enrollment courses in occupational or technical programs generally must maintain 3.0 GPAs in program-related courses and 2.5 GPAs overall. Students must have the approval of parents and high school officials. Early College Enrollment Program This dual enrollment program allows high school students to earn college credit toward the completion of degrees or certificates aligned to local, state, or regional workforce needs. The two curriculum tracks are for career-technical and health programs. Early College High Schools The Selma Early College High School allows high school students to graduate high school with up to 60 hours of college credit. The Alabama Community College Systems requires institutions to accept a score of 3 or higher on the and award elective or general education credit toward an associate degree. The Department of Education provides more than 215 courses in the following fields: Agricultural Science, Business/Marketing, Family and Consumer Science, Health Science, and Career Technologies. Postsecondary Admissions and Placement Four-Year Colleges and Universities Common, statewide admissions and placement requirements do not exist for four-year institutions. Institutional governing boards set admission requirements. Alabama Community College System For admission to associate degree programs, students must show that they have completed a high school diploma or an equivalent credential. Students applying to vocational programs must demonstrate an ability to benefit from instruction. The system requires institutions to use scores on the test (or ASSET when the COMPASS is unavailable) to assess students for placement into college-level courses. Students can exempt placement with minimum scores on the math, verbal/reading, and writing sections of the SAT (470 or above on each section) and ACT (i.e., 20 or above on each section). The table below summarizes placement cut scores. Course/Subject COMPASS ASSET Reading Academic Writing Career-Technical English Math 36 on Pre-Algebra Section 28 on Algebra Section 38 on Numerical Skills Section 37 on Elementary Algebra Section

2 Arkansas High school students may enroll in college courses and earn high school and college credit for their work, as long as they meet institutional eligibility requirements and attend districts with established concurrent enrollment programs. Students in grade 12 who possess at least an ACT sub-score of 17 in English, reading, or mathematics may enroll in remedial/developmental courses at a postsecondary institution. Students and families bear the cost of concurrent enrollment, unless the costs are paid by the district or a private foundation. The Incentive Program provides state funds to ensure that districts provide students access to at least one AP test in each of the four core subject areas English, math, science, and social studies. The program encourages broad student participation by paying all or part of the testing fees. Schools benefit by receiving a one-time reward for each student that passes an AP exam. Early High School Graduation Arkansas law allows students to graduate early if they have earned the number of credits required by the district for graduation. The state offers career and technical education (CTE) courses in agriculture, business education, computer science, family and consumer science, marketing, and medical professions. Delaware Delaware Department of Education rules require local school districts to develop articulation agreements with public and nonpublic state institutions to offer dual enrollment programs. The articulation agreements must include eligibility requirements, how and where students may take courses, and the funding sources used to offer dual enrollment. The rules clearly stipulate that no district can deny access to dual enrollment because of a student or family s inability to pay tuition. The Delaware Department of Education has approved three, four, six, and nine-credit pathways for students enrolled in career-technical programs of study. Florida High school students may enroll in academic or career certificate courses and earn dual credit. The college dual enrollment option requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher and achievement of common placement test scores. The career certificate option requires a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students enrolled in dual enrollment programs are exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, and laboratory fees.

3 Early Admission State law defines early admission as a form of dual enrollment in which students enroll in a college or university full-time (i.e., 12 to 15 credits) during their junior or senior years of high school. Entrance requirements for early college enrollees vary by institution. Early High School Graduation Students may graduate early through a combination of high school, online and dual credit courses. Competency-Based Credit The Credit Acceleration Program allows students to take end-of-course exams and earn credit for the course, even if students have not enrolled in or completed the course. The program can enable students to pursue other accelerated options, including dual credit, early admissions, and early graduation. High schools must offer at least four dual credit or AP courses one each in English, math, science, and social studies. Florida participates in the National Career Clusters Framework, which provides the standards and curricula for courses in 16 career fields. Georgia Dual Enrollment A number of dual enrollment options provide students with the opportunity to enroll in postsecondary courses, provided they meet college entrance requirements, while completing high school graduation requirements. Eligible dual enrollment students may defray the cost of their college courses through the Accel program or by receiving the HOPE Grant. Early College High Schools The Early College Initiative, a partnership between the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Education, allows students to earn a high school diploma and coursework toward an associate or bachelor s degree. Most early colleges operate with the objective to increase high school graduation and college-going rates of traditionally underserved students. Georgia does not have common score requirements for (AP) or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. Competency-Based Credit State law and State Board of Education Rules allow students to receive high school credit based on demonstrated competency on several state and national exams, including high school End of Course (EOC) exams, AP, CLEP, and industry certifications.

4 Move On When Ready The Move on When Ready program, created with the passing of House Bill 149 in 2009, allows eligible 11th and 12th grade students to simultaneously enroll in college full-time while completing their remaining high school graduation requirements. As a result of the Move on When Ready legislation, the tuition and fees resulting from a participating student s full-time enrollment are covered by the transfer of the FTE funds, minus a $200 records fee, from the school district to the postsecondary institution. The Georgia Department of Education offers courses across 17 career clusters. Kentucky Dual credit allows students to take a college-level course and earn high school and college credit concurrently. Public colleges and universities partner with a district to provide dual credit opportunities. The location (i.e., at high school, on college campus, or online) and cost varies based on the districtinstitution agreement. Dual enrollment allows students to earn college credit at a postsecondary institution. Although most Kentucky high school students pursue dual credit/dual enrollment options through open enrollment in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), students also may pursue college credit online through the Kentucky Virtual University or in the classroom through state and private universities, if they fulfill institutional admissions requirements. Early High School Graduation Students may pursue an early graduation pathway through which they may qualify to receive a diploma and be eligible for acceptance into any SACS accredited two- or four-year public or private, nonprofit college in Kentucky. To qualify, the student must (1) document their intent to graduate early; (2) score proficient on the four end-of-course exams required by the state board of education; and, (3) meet the state s college readiness benchmarks. An early graduation certificate provides some financial support for students to attend college immediately after early graduation. Articulated credit is awarded to new college freshmen, usually for successfully taking Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate (AP or IB) classes while in high school and earning a specified score on the related exam. Kentucky leverages federal funds to lower exam fees for low-income students. Students scoring 3 or higher on an AP exam are awarded credit toward degree and credentials at all of Kentucky s public postsecondary institutions. Performance-Based Credit The Kentucky State Board of Education authorizes districts to award performance-based credits, as long as the experiences for which credits are awarded align with the Kentucky Core Academic Standards. Examples include senior year or capstone projects and work-based learning (e.g., internships, apprenticeships, cooperative learning experiences, and credit recovery).

5 Kentucky has adopted the National Career Clusters Framework. The department of education administers the ACT WorkKeys to measure students academic readiness for careers. State law allows for the substitution of career-technical courses for specific graduation course requirements. Louisiana High school juniors and seniors who participate in dual enrollment may earn college credits while in high school. Students must have the permission of their high school administrators and meet institutional admissions requirements at the postsecondary institution where they wish to enroll. Early College Admissions Louisiana high school students have the option of leaving high school early typically after the junior year and enrolling full time in college. Students who qualify for early admission must have a B average over three years and a score of 25 or higher on the ACT or the SAT equivalent. Early college students earn their high school diplomas by successfully completing their first 24 credit-hours at the college level. The Louisiana Department of Education uses federal funds to reduce to exam cost for low-income students. Further, the department provides grants to schools that are implementing or expanding an (AP) program. AP courses carry extra weight when determining the GPA for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship. The Louisiana Department of Education has developed a new career education initiative called Jump Start. After a transitional period, students may pursue industry credentials and technical diplomas that prepare them for immediate workforce entry upon college graduation. Schools will receive extra credit for students that pursue advanced credentials and technical diplomas. Maryland High school students with outstanding academic records may enroll concurrently in college courses while in high school, typically after the junior year. State law requires local schools to pay for up to four dual credit courses. Admissions and eligibility requirements vary based on the established agreements between districts and postsecondary institutions. Early Admission Maryland s public four-year segments (i.e., University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary s College of Maryland) have policies that allow students to seek early admission, as long as they arrange to earn a high school diploma or an equivalent credential. Institutions that offer early admission determine their own procedures and requirements for doing so.

6 Mississippi State law requires school districts and postsecondary institutions to sign memoranda of understanding to create a dual credit program. Students may qualify for enrollment in dual credit courses if they receive a written recommendation from their principal or counselor and accomplish one of the following: 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale for all high school courses with successful completion of 14 core high school units 3.0 GPA for all high school courses with junior standing; or 3.0 GPA and minimum ACT composite of 30. Admission and placement testing requirements, as well as tuition and fees vary by institution. Also, districts may establish additional guidelines with postsecondary institutions to allow students to enroll in dual credit classes who do not qualify based on the above requirements. Early College Admission Students who complete the requirements of the Mississippi Early Exit Diploma may continue to take or dual credit courses, enroll full-time in a career-technical education program, or graduate high school early and enroll in a local community college. The Pathways to Success initiative has developed career pathway documents that align with the 16 fields contained in the National Clusters Framework. Each one-page fact sheet contains course recommendations for core and elective credits, including career-technical courses for students pursuing the career pathway diploma. North Carolina Session Law , the Appropriations Act of 2011, authorized the State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges to establish the Career and College Promise program, effective January 1, The program places all dual credit opportunities under one umbrella and creates three streamlined pathways toward postsecondary degrees and certificates. The table below summarizes the three pathways: Pathway Description Initial Requirements College Transfer Students earn up High school junior between 32 and 35 or senior standing general education core 3.0 GPA (weighted) credits while enrolled Demonstrate in high school. These college readiness credits transfer to any on placement test state college or university. provisional status: Continuing Eligibility Satisfactory progress toward high school graduation Maintain 2.0 GPA in college coursework 3.5 GPA

7 Career Technical Education Cooperative Innovative High School Students earn a Community College certificate or technical diploma aligned with a high school career cluster. Located on college campuses. Students complete a high school diploma and an associate degree or 60 hours of college credit within five years. (weighted) Completed two years of English with a grade of C or higher Completed Math II or a similarly advanced course with at least a grade of C Written approval from principal and college president High school junior or senior standing 3.0 GPA (weighted) or principal recommendation Complete career pathway Satisfactory progress toward high school graduation Maintain 2.0 GPA in college coursework prerequisites Vary based on agreements between local districts and community colleges Early College High Schools University of North Carolina System institutions may enter into contracts with local school districts to establish an early college high school. Students attend high school full time but earn credit toward high school diplomas and college degrees. Early college and university officials agree on readiness measures that, when mastered, will allow early college students to take university-level courses. (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Courses The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is working towards broadening access and successful participation in advanced courses. Based on recent legislation, NCDPI has established the NC Partnership with the College Board to support this work and particularly work with low-performing school districts. Beginning in , this legislation further provides funding for all test and registration fees for AP and IB course exams to all students. NCDPI also continues to increase access to AP courses through the NC Virtual Public School. North Carolina has adopted the National Career Clusters Framework. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction administers the ACT WorkKeys to all 12th graders who have achieved a CTE concentration (for technical credits in a cluster).

8 Oklahoma Concurrent Enrollment Eligible high school juniors and seniors may earn college credit by enrolling in college early. Students earn credit toward high school diplomas by completing college-level courses. Students may enroll in up to 19 combined high school and college credits per semester. Students must meet minimum requirements including ACT composite score, high school GPA and/or high school class rank. Counselors recommend students, principals confirm students are on track to graduate by spring of their senior year, and parents sign a release to permit students to enroll in college early. Students may continue to enroll in college-level courses if they maintain a 2.0 GPA. Postsecondary institutions must provide tuition waivers to high school seniors for up to six credit hours per semester. Institution(s) High School Juniors High School Seniors University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University Regional Universities University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Community Colleges 25 ACT or 1130 SAT 3.5 GPA 25 ACT or 1130 SAT 3.5 GPA 23 ACT or 1050 SAT 3.5 GPA 24 ACT or 1090 SAT 3.5 GPA 21 ACT or 980 SAT 3.5 GPA 24 ACT or 1090 SAT & 3.0 GPA 3.0 GPA and Top 30% class rank 24 ACT or 1090 SAT & 3.0 GPA 3.0 GPA and Top 33% class rank 20 ACT or 940 SAT & 3.0 GPA 3.0 GPA and Top 33% class rank 24 ACT or 1090 SAT & 3.0 GPA 3.0 GPA and Top 25% class rank 19 ACT or 900 SAT 3.0 GPA

9 The Oklahoma Department of Education provides grants to reduce AP test fees for low-income students. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education has adopted instructional frameworks for 16 career clusters. The department provides courses to over 400 districts and 29 technology centers. South Carolina Juniors and seniors in high school who have nearly mastered the complete high school curriculum are eligible to enroll in college-level courses. Principals must recommend dual enrollment students before they become eligible for dual credit opportunities. To enroll in courses at four-year institutions and twoyear regional campuses of the University of South Carolina System, students must have GPAs of 3.0 or higher. To enroll in courses at technical colleges, students must meet the requirements set by the specific institution. District school boards may establish policies allowing students to take college courses. These policies may allow for cooperative agreements with one or more postsecondary institutions. The tuition and fees may be funded by local school districts or be the responsibility of the student. Early College High Schools South Carolina has early college high schools located throughout the state. The schools are part of the national Early College High School Initiative. The South Carolina Department of Education funds and coordinates training courses for aspiring (AP) teachers. South Carolina state law and South Carolina Commission on Higher Education policy direct each public institution to award credit in appropriate courses for scores of three or higher on examinations. Early College Admission South Carolina does not have a policy in place related to early college admission. South Carolina middle schools, high schools, and career centers offer over 300 courses across 16 career clusters. Tennessee Dual Enrollment Dual enrollment opportunities allow high school students to earn postsecondary credit by enrolling in and successfully completing a postsecondary course. Students in these courses are enrolled at the postsecondary institution and pay tuition and fees associated with the course. The state, through the Dual Enrollment Grant Program, provides financial assistance to cover tuition costs for the courses. The state is currently working through changes to the specific funding amounts.

10 Local and Statewide Dual Credit There are two types of dual credit opportunities in Tennessee. A local dual credit course is a high school course (taught at the high school by high school faculty) that is aligned to a postsecondary course. Students are able to receive postsecondary credit by successfully completing the course and passing an assessment developed and/or recognized by the credit-granting postsecondary institution. The statewide dual credit courses are high school courses with accompanying challenge exams created by Tennessee secondary and postsecondary faculty work groups. The work groups reviewed existing high school course standards and the aligned postsecondary course to determine the additional learning objectives that students need to know to show mastery of the postsecondary material. Students who meet or exceed established exam cut scores earn postsecondary credit. Early and Middle College High Schools The early college high school model is designed to allow students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an associate degree or two years of credit toward a bachelor s degree. Tennessee has two early college high schools in Memphis that are part of the national Early College High School Initiative. There are similar schools in Nashville, Knoxville, and Johnson City, with several other districts looking to build these types of programs. The Tennessee Department of Education is using statewide research to develop and implement several new initiatives to expand student participation and success in (AP) courses. Additionally, the Tennessee General Assembly has allocated funds that can be used towards AP expansion. The TDOE also uses funds from a federal grant program, along with subsidies provided by the College Board, to reduce the exam cost for economically disadvantaged students from $89 to $18. Early College Admission Twelfth graders with a 3.2 GPA and minimum 22 ACT can pursue early admission. The freshman coursework taken at the participating college or university substitutes for courses that the student would have needed to graduate from high school. Dual Admissions High school graduates may apply to a community college and state university simultaneously through a dual admissions partnership. These structured pathways guarantee students automatic admission to a four-year institution once they satisfy associate degree requirements at the community college. Through the Tennessee Transfer Pathways (TTPs), a student attending community college can identify an academic pathway and specific courses that can be transferred to a four-year institution and applied toward a bachelor s degree. (CTE) High school students may choose a career concentration in one of 16 career clusters to fulfill the threecredit elective focus graduation requirement. The state has revised CTE course standards and programs of study Texas Texas requires districts to implement programs that allow students to earn the equivalent of 12 semester credit hours of college credit through concurrent enrollment (college credit only) and/or dual enrollment

11 (credit in both high school and college) or other mechanisms (e.g., AP, IB, articulated credit, etc.). To be eligible, high school students must meet certain minimum requirements. Typically, students may enroll in college courses after the sophomore year of high school. Students who have scored high enough on certain standardized tests, including the ACT and SAT, are not required to take the state-mandated assessment to qualify for concurrent or dual enrollment. Students may take college-level courses related to the parts of the qualifying assessment(s) that they have passed. The state requires students and their families to pay for dual credit courses, unless the college waives or reduces tuition or the high school pays all or part of the cost. Early College High Schools Students attending early college high schools (ECHS) may earn a high school diploma and up to 60 college credits. In some cases, high school graduates receive a diploma and an associate degree. These programs provide traditionally underserved students with college credit at no cost to the student. The Texas Education Agency provides an (AP) test fee subsidy for students with demonstrated financial need. The incentive program also rewards schools that increase access to AP courses and exams by giving a one-time award of $100 for each student who passes an AP test. Early High School Graduation House Bill 3 (2009) created the Early Readiness High School Graduation Option pilot program. Districts partner with research universities to create an alternative route to a high school diploma. Eligible students attend a high school in a district with a partnership agreement and meet proficiency requirements on AP, IB, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), SAT, and ACT tests. The state once awarded Early High School Graduation scholarships. Budget cuts led to the discontinuation of the funding; the enabling legislation, however, is still in force if legislators choose to refund the program in the future. The state has adopted the National Career Clusters Framework through its AchieveTexas College and Career Initiative. The Texas Education Agency authorizes districts to deliver career preparation and practicum courses in which students receive a combination of classroom instruction and business and industry experience. Virginia Virginia high school students have the opportunity to earn dual high school and postsecondary credit. Generally, these courses are offered through community colleges and taught on both community college and high school campuses. Some four-year institutions allow high school students to enroll in classes. Students must obtain approval from high school administrators and meet institutional admission and placement testing requirements. The state encourages districts and community colleges to provide access to dual credit options at no cost by funding the student s attendance both at the high school and at the postsecondary institution. All dual enrollment courses may be counted toward the 15 college credits required for a student to become an Early College Scholar. Certain dual enrollment courses may also qualify as part of the Commonwealth College Course Collaborative. This collaborative, involving all Virginia two- and four-year colleges and universities except for the Virginia Military Institute, provides a set of academic courses that fully transfer as core requirements and degree credits.

12 The Virginia State Board of Education requires districts to provide at least three (AP) courses to high school students. Virginia participates in the federal Title I, Part G grant that reduces testing costs for low-income students taking AP exams. Early College Admission The Early College Scholars program encourages 11th- and 12th-graders to earn at least 15 transferrable college credits. To qualify for the program, students must be Advanced Studies diploma candidates, have at least a B average, and have the approval of their parents/guardians, high school principals and counselors. Dual Admissions Virginia Senate Bill 449 (2014) requires the governing board of each four-year college and university to develop dual admissions and guaranteed admissions agreements with two-year institutions within the Virginia Community College System. Virginia has adopted the National Career Clusters Model. The state provides CTE courses in 16 career clusters. West Virginia Dual Credit Courses High school juniors and seniors may take college-level courses on college campuses and at high schools. Students must meet the institution s admission requirements and course prerequisites and receive approval from a high school administrator. The college offering dual credit courses must address all of the equivalent high school course requirements in addition to the college requirements for a student to be awarded dual credit. High school students bear the cost of taking college-level courses, but institutions can create special tuition and fee structures for joint enrollees. West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS) Rules require a common process for awarding college credit for (AP) tests. Students receive general education or elective credit for each exam score of 3 or higher. System institutions may choose to require higher proficiency if the exams relate to a course requirement within a student s academic major. Early College Admission The West Virginia EDGE (Earn a Degree, Graduate Early) program is an early enrollment option specifically designed to enable high school students and adult learners to earn college credit in career/technical courses toward the completion of a technical associate s degree. West Virginia has adopted the National Career Clusters Model. The state provides CTE courses in 16 career clusters. Students may take an Advanced Career (AC) course in place of a course as listed in the applicable program of study.