The purpose of the program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wider variety of options to outstanding high school students.

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1 POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS PROGRAM Bowling Green High School Guidance Resource Booklet I. BGHS PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND POLICY STATEMENT PROGRAM DEFINITION The Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program enables Bowling Green High School students in grade 9 through grade 12 to enroll part-time or full-time for postsecondary, nonsectarian courses at eligible postsecondary institutions. These include community colleges, postsecondary vocational technical institutions, state universities and many private colleges and universities authorized to participate in the program by the Ohio Department of Education. The purpose of the program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wider variety of options to outstanding high school students. ELIGIBILITY Bowling Green High School students are eligible to participate in the Postsecondary Options Program if the following requirements are met: The student is in high school (grade 9 12). The student who chooses Option B is not concurrently enrolled in home-school classes without meeting with BGHS PSEOP Coordinator. Home-school students who take a course that is related to an OGT subject test must take that portion of the OGT. The student is accepted by an authorized postsecondary institution (college/university). (Each college has its own PSEOP grade point average/admission requirements.) The student is responsible for contacting and applying to the college and for meeting the college application deadlines. Information about how to do that is available in the Counseling Office. The student and parents/guardians have received information about the program by attending an orientation meeting, viewing a recording of the meeting or by talking with the high school PSEOP coordinator. The student and parents/guardians have signed and returned to the Counseling Office the Parent/Student Acknowledgment Form for the Postsecondary Options Program indicating they have received the required counseling and they understand the responsibilities they assume as well as the possible advantages and consequences of participation (page 5 of this packet). This form must be returned to the high school by March 30. The student who chooses Option B is enrolled as a BGHS student and may earn no more than 7 Carnegie Units per year (combination of PSEOP and BGHS classes). Each BGHS student is expected to enroll in a minimum of 5 Carnegie Units per year. PROGRAM OPTIONS OPTION A: permits eligible students to enroll in postsecondary courses for college credit, or for high school and college credit. The student must choose whether to receive high school credit for these classes before the class begins. Under this option, the parents and/or students are responsible for the costs of tuition, fees, textbooks and materials. The college will notify the 1

2 student about payment of tuition, fees, textbook and materials associated with the courses. If the student chooses to receive only college credit, the credit and grade will not be on their transcript, or be computed in the student s high school grade point average and class rank. OPTION B: permits eligible students to enroll in postsecondary courses for college and high school credit. Under this option, the costs of tuition, fees, textbooks and materials are paid by state funds under an established formula. The student may need to pay for equipment that is kept, such as tools or calculators. Each course, credit earned and grade reported by the college will be documented on the student s high school transcript and will be computed in the student s high school grade point average. (This could affect scholarship opportunities.) PSEOP credits will NOT be weighted similar to honors classes at BGHS. SCHEDULING Students may attend multiple Post-Secondary Institutions per school year. Students electing Option B must work closely with the counseling staff to determine how college courses will be evaluated for Bowling Green High School graduation requirements before registering for college classes each academic year. These decisions will not be changed once the college course begins. The Bowling Green Board of Education has the final authority to determine Bowling Green High School graduation requirements. Students may not drop a full-year course at BGHS to enroll in a second semester course at the college. BGHS students must take the equivalent of five one-credit courses. Calculating the equivalency of credits in the post-secondary institution is articulated as in the high school, based on Carnegie units. NOTE: By OHSAA guidelines, athletes who are full-time PSEOP must be enrolled in a minimum of 13 hours of college course work. Part-time PSEOP students, see your counselor or the Athletic Director if you have questions about your athletic eligibility. CREDITS Students who successfully complete courses under Option B will receive Bowling Green High School graduation credit according to the following formula: High School Credit Granted (Carnegie Units) College Semester Hours College Quarter Hours (No area colleges) Individual colleges may set limits on the number of courses students are allowed to take at their institutions under Option B. You will receive college credit for successfully completing courses from the college where you took the courses. Upon graduation, you may request that a different college accept the credits earned as transfer credits. Our experience has been that most colleges, especially Ohio colleges, will accept these college credits. The Course Applicability System (CAS) has a website that allows you to see which other Ohio Colleges/Universities will accept courses you have taken through PSEOP. Their website is: 55 Colleges/Universities in Ohio participate on this website, including BGSU. 2

3 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS No Bowling Green High School graduation requirements may be waived for any student as a result of participation in this program. If a student fails a college course intended to serve as a high school course required for graduation (Option A or B), the high school course (or its equivalent) must be completed in order to graduate from Bowling Green High School and participate in graduation ceremonies. PROGRAM ADVANTAGES The program could benefit you in several ways: You have the opportunity to take courses that may not be offered at Bowling Green High School. You have the opportunity to experience college-level work and college life prior to making a final decision about postsecondary education. You can take college courses and receive both high school and college credit at no cost to you (Option B). You can begin college with part or all of your freshman course requirements already completed. POTENTIAL RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES You will need to successfully balance responsibilities and roles at both high school and college and meet all attendance requirements and standards established for college courses. You need to be able to work without supervision and possess self-discipline, both academically and socially. Be sure you are ready for these responsibilities. Particularly, 9 th and 10 th grade students and parents must carefully and thoroughly consider whether this program is right for the student and if so, at what grade level should the student begin to participate. It is important to realize that the participating student will be attending college classes comprised of college students ranging in age of years. You may have less time available for part-time employment. You may have reduced opportunities for participating in high school activities (athletics, clubs, music, etc.). The student and parent are responsible for means of transportation to and from the college. You need to plan for the increased time needed to travel and increased time to study. The scope or content of college courses may differ from high school courses as well as content of the Ohio Graduation Tests. WITHDRAWAL If you decide you will no longer participate in the program before the term has ended, you must file withdrawal forms with the college and meet with your school counselor to develop a new course schedule. Failure to file the necessary forms may result in a failing grade. Withdrawal from the college course may result in a financial obligation for your parents (Option B) and the need to take additional high school credit. 3

4 CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING OR NOT COMPLETING A COLLEGE COURSE If a student fails, drops or stops attending a college course intended for high school credit (Option B), all costs including tuition, books, fees and materials for that course will become the responsibility of the student and parents/guardian. In addition to the above consequences, if a student fails a college course intended for high school credit (Option B), the failing grade will be included in the student's high school transcript and grade point average exactly as reported by the college. The same consequences of failing grades on athletic eligibility will apply to courses taken for high school credit through the Postsecondary Enrollment Program as for courses taken in the Bowling Green High School curriculum. AVAILABLE SUPPORT SERVICES 1. Participating students are encouraged to utilize the guidance services at Bowling Green High School including personal, college and career counseling, information about college entrance exams and high school graduation requirements. 2. Students are also encouraged to utilize the available counseling and support services (academic and personal) at the college in which they enroll. 3. Students eligible for school lunch assistance may be eligible for reimbursement for some of your transportation expenses. See the high school PSEOP coordinator for more information. STEPS TO FOLLOW 1. Attend an orientation meeting, view the video recording of the meeting or talk with your school counselor to discuss the program and how it might fit with your educational and personal goals. 2. Discuss your plans with your parents. Review the advantages and disadvantages. 3. If you decide to participate, you and your parents/guardian must sign the Parent/Student Acknowledgment Form indicating that you have received information on the program and are aware of your responsibilities. Return this form to your BGHS school counselor by March Complete the necessary postsecondary admission and registration forms. Verify the number of high school credits you will receive from college courses with the BGHS Guidance Office. Meet with the postsecondary institution's program coordinator. Adhere to their application deadlines. 5. Inform your school counselor of your plans and any course changes that may occur during the process. QUESTIONS If you have further questions about the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP), please contact the Bowling Green High School Guidance Office at ext Updated: January 8,

5 BGHS POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS PROGRAM Parent/Student Acknowledgment Form Student (Print) Parent or Guardian (Print) As specified in Revised Code ; Section 10, I (we) have been provided counseling services concerning the advantages, possible risks and consequences of participation concerning: 1. Program eligibility and options 2. May attend multiple colleges or universities per school year 3. Availability of Options A and B 4. The process of granting academic credits 5. Financial arrangements and obligations 6. The criteria for transportation aid 7. Scheduling arrangements and possible difficulties 8. The effects participation may have on high school graduation requirements 9. The consequences of failing or not completing a course and the effect of the grade attained on high school grade point average 10. The academic and social responsibilities of students and parents 11. Information and encouragement to use counseling services at the selected college 12. Support services available at Bowling Green High School and colleges I understand the responsibilities I must assume in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program. I understand that this form is not an application to any college/university, but simply an acknowledgment that I understand the above listed topics and have received the required information. I also understand that applying to the college I wish to attend is my responsibility. Applicants must be given to the PSEOP coordinator at Bowling Green High School in time to meet the application deadline. Student Signature Date Parent of Guardian Signature Date Updated: January 8,