POST SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS (PSEO) PROGRAM GUIDELINES Prepared by: CLARK-SHAWNEE ADMINISTRATION And GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

Transcription

1 SHAWNEE HIGH SCHOOL POST SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS (PSEO) PROGRAM GUIDELINES Prepared by: CLARK-SHAWNEE ADMINISTRATION And GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT SHAWNEE HIGH SCHOOL 1675 East Possum Road Springfield, Ohio Phone (937) Ext. 117 or 118 Teresa Combs, Counselor Sherry Akers, Counselor Gregg Morris, Superintendent Nathan E. Dockter, Principal 1

2 GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT SHAWNEE HIGH SCHOOL 1675 East Possum Road Springfield, Ohio Phone (937) Ext. 117 & 118 Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Information POST SECONDARY ENROLLMENT PROGRAMS Frequently Asked Questions What is PSEO (Post Secondary Education Options)? Post- Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP) is a state-funded program that provides high school freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors an opportunity to enroll in college courses and receive both high school and college credit. The PSEOP program is not an opportunity for students to try out college, it is college. Shawnee High School is committed to providing the state s program to eligible students. For the program to be successful and beneficial, schools, parents, and students must work together to identify students who are intellectually and emotionally capable of succeeding in a university environment. Who is eligible for the PSEO (Post Secondary Education Options)? Eligibility A) Students must be fulltime high school students for the year in which participation is sought. In addition, the student must meet the eligibility requirements of the college of choice and be accepted by the college. B) A student who has been expelled by this Board is ineligible to enroll during the period of expulsion. In accordance with Board policy, the Board shall deny high school credit for postsecondary courses any portion of which are taken during the period of a student s expulsion. If the student has elected to receive credit for course(s) toward fulfilling graduation requirements as well as postsecondary credit, that election is automatically revoked for all college courses in which the student enrolled during the college term in which the expulsion is imposed. C) To be eligible to participate, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a grading scale of 4.0, or its equivalent, in any high school courses the student has taken. 2

3 D) Seniors must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a grading scale of 4.0. E) Students who are enrolling in PSEO for the first time are limited by Shawnee High School policy from enrolling in more than 1 PSEO course during their first quarter or semester in the program. If the student successfully completes this course, they will be eligible to enroll in more than one course during subsequent quarters or semesters. What options are available to high school students under PSEO? Options A) Students will be able to elect to take courses for college credit only or for both high school and college credit. Students who choose to receive only college credit must pay the college s tuition and fees themselves. To review, there are two options available for students who wish to participate: Option A: Students may choose to receive college credit only. Under this option, the student must pay tuition and fees as established by the college or university and must pay for textbooks and materials. Option B: Students may choose to receive college and high school credit. Colleges and universities enrolling students under Option B will be reimbursed. B) A student may not enroll in courses to receive credit toward high school graduation for more than the equivalent of: 1) four (4) academic school years, if the student so enrolls for the first time in grade nine; 2) three (3) academic school years, if the student so enrolls for the first time in grade ten; 3) two (2) academic school years, if the student so enrolls for the first time in grade eleven; 4) one (1) academic school year, if the student so enrolls for the first time in grade twelve. What are the guidelines for enrollment and expulsion under PSEO? Enrollment A) By March 30th of each year, a student and his/her parent must complete and submit the Intent To Participate Form 2271 F1 (available at the PSEO meeting) to be filed with the high school administration which signifies the student's intent to participate in the program for the following school year. Prior to completing this form the student and his/her parents must participate in the special counseling sessions described below and confirm receipt of these counseling services by signing at the prescribed place on the intent form. 3

4 B) Failure to meet this deadline may exclude the student from the program for that school year unless a written waiver is granted by the Superintendent. Participation may be withdrawn by the student or parent at any time upon written notification to the high school administration. C) Students must identify the appropriate post secondary enrollment option prior to the start of the first class session of the fall quarter or semester at the college. Once the first class session of the fall term has been held, the student may not change the option selected during the period of that school year, regardless of the number of courses taken. Expulsion Notices to Colleges When a student is expelled, the Superintendent/building principal will send a written notice to any college in which the expelled student is enrolled under Postsecondary Enrollment Options at the time the expulsion is imposed. This notice must indicate the date the expulsion is scheduled to expire and that the Board has adopted a policy under O.R.C to deny high school credit for college courses taken during an expulsion. If the expulsion is later extended, the Superintendent again must notify the college. What are the counseling services required under PSEO? Counseling Services The student and parents must participate in the following counseling services provided by the high school counselors: A) Program Eligibility and Credit Options B) Potential Risks and Consequences Among the potential risks of participation the student must be willing to accept are: 1) increased student responsibility for learning because of less instructional guidance; 2) reduced opportunities to participate in high school co-curricular and extracurricular activities; 3) increased financial obligations for tuition, books, materials, and fees, if college credit is sought; 4) potential loss of after-school employment opportunities; 5) possible effect on grade point average and class standing; 6) possible delay of graduation; 7) increased time for travel, study, etc. 4

5 C) Potential benefits are: 1) expanded curriculum offerings; 2) opportunities to study in more depth those areas of special interest or need; 3) opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school; 4) opportunities for financial support for taking college courses while still in high school; 5) opportunities to experience college level work and life prior to making final decisions about whether and/or where to attend college. D) College Acceptance and Scheduling Participation is contingent upon admission to the college. The District will assist the student in gaining admission by providing transcripts and other related documents but will accept no responsibility if the student is not accepted by the college. Students who are awaiting acceptance should register for high school classes as if they were not participating in the program. Schedule changes will then be made prior to the start of each semester for those students who receive notice of admission which must be provided by the college, in writing, to the student, the District, and the Department of Education within ten (10) days of acceptance. 1) In the event that the student withdraws from the college class for high school credit within the first two (2) weeks of the college course, the student will be reenrolled in the high school classes which were previously dropped. 2) Reasonable efforts will be made in scheduling to accommodate the needs of students who will be leaving the high school campus in order to participate in this program. However, scheduling conflicts are not the responsibility of the District. Revising the master schedule and/or unduly overloading classes are not required in order to accommodate schedule requests. E) Financial Arrangements Option A Students who elect to take the college course for college will have the financial responsibility for tuition, books, materials, and fees. The Board accepts no financial responsibility for those students who will be paying for their own tuition, fees, or books. Those arrangements are between the college and the student and/or his/her parents. Option B Students assume no financial obligations if they elect to take the college course for college and high school credit. Tuition, books, materials, and fees are assumed by the Board. Should students fail to complete a course taken for credit (whether through a formal "class drop" process or through nonattendance reasons other than those normally accepted by the school administration) any and all financial obligations assumed by the Board will default to the students and their parents. All classes must be passed with a grade of C or better in order to be paid by Clark Shawnee Local Schools. Please note: Textbooks are not the property of students and must be returned at the end of each quarter or semester. PSEO students attending Clark State will return their books 5

6 to the Guidance Office at Shawnee H.S. Wittenberg will collect textbooks from their PSEO students. Failure to return textbooks will result in fees charged to the student. F) Process for Granting Academic Credits When students have elected to receive high school credit for college courses, credit will be awarded for successful completion of courses in accordance with the following guidelines: 1) The principal shall require the student to submit a course syllabus or detailed description of each college course taken so that a comparison can be made with existing high school courses. 2 If the principal determines that the college course is comparable to one offered by the high school, the equivalent high school credit shall be granted. 3) If the principal determines that the college course is not comparable to one offered by the high school, credit shall be granted in a subject area similar to that taken by the student at the college. 4) In the event that the student or parents contest the credit, the Superintendent shall determine the appropriate credit. The Superintendent's decision may be appealed to the State Board of Education, whose decision in the matter shall be final and binding. 5) Students who enroll in a college course for both high school and college credit will receive on their high school transcript the grade issued by the college. While the course will be clearly designated on transcripts as a college course taken for high school credit, the grade will be computed in the grade point average as if issued by the high school faculty. 6) If a student is expelled from the District s schools, the principal shall deny high school credit for any postsecondary courses taken during the expulsion. 7) If a college withdraws its acceptance of an expelled student who elected to take courses for high school credit only, the District shall not award high school credit for the college courses in which the student was enrolled at the time the college withdrew its acceptance. G) Criteria for Transportation Aid All students participating in the Post Secondary Enrollment Option Program will be responsible for their transportation to and from their homes and the college or to and from the high school and the college. Students may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement for transportation between the college and the high school, however, if they meet either of the following two (2) criteria: 1) Students must be taking the college course(s) only for high school credit. 2) Students must be eligible for either free or reduced price lunches under the provisions of the eligibility scale established by the United States Department of Agriculture, pursuant to 42 U.S.C

7 The amount to be reimbursed will be determined by dividing the annual transportation cost for the State for the preceding school year, as determined by Division (K) of Section of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code Section (B)(4), by 180 and then multiplying that number by the number of days in which the students were scheduled and attended classes at the college. Reimbursement will be made only upon application of the students and only at the end of each semester. H) Available Student Services Students enrolled in the Post Secondary Option Program will be entitled to all student services provided to any other of the District's high school students (counseling, health, etc.). However, these services will be provided only while the students are on the high school campus and only upon request. It is also the students' responsibility to keep themselves informed of academic and other requirements for all students who attend the high school. I) Consequences of Failing or Not Completing a Course 1) If students withdraw from the college course within the first two (2) weeks of the course, they will be rescheduled for the appropriate high school courses, and no record of the college course will appear on the transcript. However, if students withdraw from the college courses after two (2) weeks of the classes, the course will appear on the transcript and will carry a grade of Withdraw/Fail (W/F), which will be computed in the same manner as a failing grade on the high school transcript. 2) Any course taken for high school credit at a college or university and completed (or recorded as Withdrawn/Failing) will be clearly identified on the transcript along with the name of the college where the work was undertaken. J) Effect on Completion of Graduation Requirements Students using college courses for credit toward high school graduation may do so. However, it is the responsibility of participating students and parents to be sure that the courses undertaken will meet the graduation requirements for the students. Upon acceptance by the college, students should schedule an appointment with a high school counselor to develop a written schedule showing courses to be taken at the high school and at the college as well as all graduation requirements remaining to be met. No high school graduation requirements shall be waived for any student as a result of participation in this program. 7

8 K) Academic and Social Responsibilities of Students and Parents 1) When attending either regular classes or co-curricular/extra-curricular activities at the high school, students participating in this program will be expected to abide by all Board policies and the Student Code of Conduct. Students and their parents assume all responsibility and liability related to attendance at a college and must agree to hold harmless the Board of Education, the administration, and the staff for any incidents arising out of participation in this program. 2) Students must meet all requirements and standards established by the college and assume responsibility for attendance and behavior. L) Information and Encouragement to Use College Counseling Services The high school counselors, during the individual counseling sessions, shall make available any information provided by the college concerning its counseling services. In addition, counselors should encourage students and their parents to utilize counseling services available at the college to better ensure successful completion of the college courses. M) Encouragement of Students Counselors should encourage the participation of those students who have been identified as academically gifted and talented or as otherwise identified as potentially successful in such college course work. N) Grade Point Computation and Reporting of Grades 1) For those college courses taken for high school credit, the grade for that course will be computed at the end of the next regular grading period at the high school following the receipt of an official transcript from the college. All grades to be entered on the high school transcript must be taken from an official transcript from the college. Should there be an urgent need for a letter grade, notification on official letterhead from the college instructor advising of the grade will be accepted to verify the grade. 2) Eligibility for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities in accordance with Board Policy 2430, Policy 2431, and Policy 2433 will be affected if courses are taken for high school credit. Students will be provided Form 2271 F2 on which the college course instructor indicates that the student is passing the course. This form must be submitted bi-weekly prior to the close of high school classes each quarter. In addition, eligibility will also be checked at the end of each college quarter or semester. A failing grade will result in an ineligibility for the next full school semester. Students/parents must sign a form indicating appropriate counseling was provided and responsibilities understood. 8

9 ADDITIONAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS QUESTION 1: Q. When must parents and students notify the Shawnee High School administration and guidance department of interest in PSEO? A. STUDENTS AND PARENTS INTERESTED IN POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS NEED TO ATTEND THE PSEO MEETING AT SHAWNEE HIGH SCHOOL AND APPLY BY MARCH 30. Parents and students contact the college and the college must send written notice (to all appropriate parties, including student, parent, school district superintendent, and superintendent of public instruction) within ten days of enrolling students. Such notices shall include courses and hours of enrollment and the option selected. QUESTION 2: Q. Can a Shawnee High School student enroll in core courses at the selected PSEO college? A. Board of Education Policy suggests that students must take core classes at Shawnee High School, PSEO credits will be elective. QUESTION 3: Q. What is the formula for granting PSEO credit? A. School districts must award comparable credit for high school graduation, in terms of quantity and quality, for successfully completed college work. THE FORMULA FOR GRANTING PSEO CREDIT 1-2 Semester Hours = ¼ Credit 3 Semester Hours = ½ Credit 4 Semester Hours = ¾ Credit 5 Semester Hours = 1 Credit QUESTION 4: Q. If I participate in PSEO, will my GPA be affected? A. Yes. Keep in mind that AP classes at Shawnee High School are weighted classes which assist a student in achieving a higher grade point average as opposed to PSEO courses which are not weighted. Also, credit for PSEO courses is granted according to the formula detailed above. Therefore, credits aren t earned at the same rate as courses taken at Shawnee High School. Your grade point average is a determinant of class rank and selection of class valedictorian and salutatorian. 9

10 QUESTION 5: Q. If I participate in PSEO, will my class rank be affected? A. Grades earned in college courses will count towards Honor Roll and class rank for students enrolled in at least four courses at Shawnee. Students enrolled in fewer than four courses will be ranked at the end of the academic year for final ranking used for statistical purposes only. Also, because PSEO courses are awarded credit according to the formula detailed above, credits aren t earned at the same rate as courses taken at Shawnee High School. QUESTION 6: Q. May I take online courses at my selected PSEO college? A. Yes, but only if the course is not offered in a traditional classroom format at the college. Shawnee High School provides an online program called Enhanced Learning. Please contact the guidance department for more information on online learning. QUESTION 7: Q. If I take a class in the spring quarter during my senior year, will that affect my graduation? A. Possibly. Local schools have different policies regarding graduation. Participating colleges/universities may have a spring quarter that does not conclude until late May or mid June. Credits needed for graduation should be earned before a senior s last day of high school. Check with your high school counselor regarding this issue. QUESTION 8: Q. Can I participate in PSEO if I choose to attend a private school? A. Yes, but there are some differences. If you attend a non-public school, you may elect Option A and pay all costs, or apply directly to the Ohio Department of Education to cover the costs of tuition, fees, and books. If the department notifies the student that funds are not available, Option A is the only alternative. QUESTION 9: Q. Can I participate in PSEO if I am home schooled? A. Home schooled students can only participate under Option A. If you wish to receive funding from the Department of Education, you must be enrolled in a public school (Option B) or you must be enrolled in a non-public school. A transcript must be assessed by the student s school district. 10

11 QUESTION 10: Q. Can I participate in extracurricular activities at the Shawnee High School? A. Students enrolled in the Post Secondary Option Program must meet eligibility standards in order to participate in extra-curricular activities. Please consult the appropriate school authority to determine the current eligibility standards. QUESTION 11: Q. Can I participate in extracurricular activities at the university? A. No. Students participating in PSEO are not eligible to participate in any extracurricular activities. This includes organizations, intramural teams, clubs, social groups and any other campus organization. However, you may contact the participating PSEO college for clarification to this question. QUESTION 12: Q. Can I attend classes at night? A. Yes, as long as these courses are not offered during the day and you do not exceed the full-time equivalency that is established by Shawnee High School. QUESTION 13: Q. Does participating in PSEO guarantee me admission into any university or college? A. No, Participation in PSEO does not constitute admission to the attending college or any other institution of higher education upon completion of high school. All students must apply for formal admission during their senior year. QUESTION 14: Q. How many courses can I take each quarter under PSEO? A. Quarter and semester hours may vary from each college or university. Please consult your cooperating PSEO college or university. Students are limited to taking 1 course during their first quarter/semester of PSEO participation. QUESTION 15: Q. Should I bring a calculator when I take my placement test? A. No. Students should bring only a pen or pencil and a picture ID. Calculators are not permitted. 11

12 QUESTION 16: Q. What should I study in preparation for my placement test? A. You do not need to study for it. Your placement test results will place you in the appropriate course based on your academic abilities. QUESTION 17: Q. Will the classes I take through PSEO apply to my high school graduation? A. Advising regarding the use of college level credits to meet high school graduation requirements must be done by the high school counselor. QUESTION 18: Q. Can I take any classes I want while in PSEO? A. No, Post-Secondary courses must be regular courses taught at the college level. No remedial or developmental courses will be permitted as they are considered college prep or high school level courses. You cannot take sequenced courses out of sequence. You can not take courses with prerequisites without having completed all of the prerequisites first. You cannot take courses that are closed, or reserved. PSEO students do not get priority over classes You cannot take graduate or post-graduate professional courses. Students who received a 2.0 C cumulative average in a course in high school cannot take the same course as a PSEO student in college Students may not enroll in a PSEO course that prevents one from successfully completing a Shawnee High School course in progress. Example: Enrolling in a second quarter/semester course when the student has not yet completed a first semester course at Shawnee High School. QUESTION 19: Q. What are the requirements to remain in PSEO? A. To be eligible to participate, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a grading scale of 4.0, or its equivalent, in any high school courses the student has taken. Seniors must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a grading scale of

13 QUESTION 20: Q. Do I have to apply every quarter/semester? A. No, however you must attend the PSEO meeting held in March each year and sign the intent to participate form 2271 each year and submit it by March 30 th. QUESTION 21: Q. What happens if I fail a course? A. Financial obligations shall default to the student (parent) if a student fails to complete or fails (unsatisfactorily completes) the college courses other than for reasons generally accepted by the school district. Students must finish all courses with a grade of C or better. QUESTION 22: Q. What should I do if I decide not to participate in the program or not attend the classes? A. You must complete a drop/add form and withdraw from the classes and if you decide not to participate in the program you must fill out a withdrawal form. Failure to do so will result in a grade of UW which is equivalent to a grade of F. Consult with your advisor. Please submit copies of all drop/add paperwork to the guidance office as soon as it is processed by the college. QUESTION 23: Q. How do I get my textbooks? A. PSEO participants may go to the College Bookstore and purchase the textbooks and workbooks needed for the courses they have registered for. Students should identify themselves as PSEO students by presenting their PSEO schedule and a picture ID. Students may not purchase calculators, pens, pencils, paper, etc. QUESTION 24: Q. Do I keep the textbooks? A. No. Textbooks are the property of the PSEO program and must be returned at the end of each quarter to the Shawnee High School Guidance Department. Students who fail to do so will be charged. 13

14 QUESTION 25: Q. Can students take summer classes under PSEO? A. No. This program runs only during the fall, winter and spring quarter or fall/winter semester of the academic year. QUESTION 26: Q. Can I be dismissed from PSEOP? A. Yes. When the guidance counselor receives the college grades, adjustments will be made to full time high school courses. Failure to maintain a 3.0 G.P.A. will necessitate a meeting with the Shawnee High School Principal, Guidance Counselor, Parents, and Student. The meeting will determine if the student continues with the PSEO program. QUESTION 27: Q. Will the college send final grades to my high school counselor? A. Yes, final grades are sent each quarter/semester. College transcripts are only obtained from the post-secondary institution. PLEASE NOTE: These regulations and guidelines may be subject to change by the General Assembly of Ohio at any time. 14