GULF COAST UNIVERSITY AGREEMENT AND ARTICULATED ACCELERATION PLAN FOR COLLEGE-LEVEL INSTRUCTION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

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1 DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA and FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY AGREEMENT AND ARTICULATED ACCELERATION PLAN FOR COLLEGE-LEVEL INSTRUCTION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SECTION I - INTRODUCTION THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE BY AND BETWEEN Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees, a public body corporate of the State of Florida (the University) and The District School Board of Lee County, Florida, (The School Board or District), pursuant to Florida Statutes, Section , referred to as Dual Enrollment programs. The purpose of this agreement is to outline the accelerated mechanisms that students may use to shorten the time necessary for completion of a degree, broaden the scope of curricular options available or increase the depth of study available for a particular subject. The articulation acceleration mechanisms include (but are not limited to) Dual Enrollment, Early Admission, and The FGCU Collegiate High School Program. FURTHER, this Agreement shall apply to students who are enrolled in the full time Early Admission or part time Dual Enrollment program or are full time in the FGCU Collegiate High School Program (CHS) at Florida Gulf Coast University and are enrolled with the District School Board of Lee County, pursuant to Sections and , F.S., with provisions as set forth herein; FURTHER, this Agreement shall provide for delineation of institutional responsibility for costs of the Early Admission or part time Dual Enrollment or FGCU Collegiate High School program pursuant to Section , F.S., and the current General Appropriations Act. FURTHER, this Agreement shall supersede all other pre-existing agreements providing an articulation plan for college-level instruction for high school students now in effect between Florida Gulf Coast University and the District School Board of Lee County. FURTHER, this Agreement shall commence on the day of the last signature and shall be subject to review and revision on an annual basis. The Superintendent of Schools (or designee) representing the School District and the University Provost (or designee) representing the University shall conduct the review and shall present any proposed revision (s) for adoption by their respective boards. SECTION II - DEFINITIONS 1. Early Admission is a form of Dual Enrollment through which eligible secondary students enroll on a full-time basis in courses that are creditable toward the high school diploma and an associate or baccalaureate. Such Early Admission students shall have completed a minimum of six semesters of full-time secondary enrollment. Please note: Early Admission as a full-time student might affect admission status upon applying to other Florida colleges and universities. FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 1

2 Any full-time entry student, including those under articulated acceleration agreements, risks being classified as a transfer instead of a first-time-incollege student at some universities. 2. Dual Enrollment is the enrollment of an eligible secondary student in a postsecondary course creditable towards high school completion and an associate or baccalaureate degree. Students are permitted to enroll in these programs during school hours, after school hours, and during the summer term. Such dual enrolled students shall have completed a minimum of four semesters of full-time secondary enrollment. 3. The FGCU Collegiate High School is an early admission program which is considered a form of dual enrollment through which eligible secondary students enroll in a postsecondary institution on a full-time basis in courses that are creditable toward the high school diploma and an associate or baccalaureate degree. Eligible students for the CHS shall have completed a minimum of four semesters of secondary enrollment. SECTION III - TESTING REQUIREMENTS 1. For Early Admission or part time Dual Enrollment, students must present one of the following test scores: For students planning to enroll prior to Summer on the ACT or 1100 on the SAT (Critical Reading and Math sections only) For students planning to enroll in summer 2009 or after; 23 on the ACT or 1600 on the SAT (all three sections) (See also SECTION IV-PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.) 2. A student applying for the Early Admission or Dual Enrollment programs who does not meet these requirements may bring to the university other important attributes or special talents and may be admitted into an accelerated program if, in the judgement of the high school designee and the university admissions director, the student can be expected to do successful academic work. 3. For students applying to FGCU CHS, GPA and test scores may not be the only determining factors for admission. If, in the judgment of the high school principal or designee and the FGCU Collegiate High School Admissions Committee, a student can be expected to do successful academic work, that student may be considered for admission. A student applying to FGCU Collegiate High School who does not meet the minimum requirements for admissions consideration may submit to the FGCU Collegiate High School Admissions Committee other important attributes or special talents for consideration. Such attributes and/or special talents for consideration will be documented in a scholastic resume of academic achievements and activities. FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 2

3 SECTION IV - PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 1. Students who have expressed an interest in enrolling full time in the Early Admission or in the Dual Enrollment program in the fall, spring or summer session shall meet the following criteria: a. Early Admission students must be designated as rising seniors in their high school and must: 1. Have a 3.3 grade point average in the recalculated GPA using academic courses; 2. Not have completed sufficient units to qualify for high school graduation, and must apply all credits earned to meeting high school graduation requirements and University criteria. Immediately upon completing their junior year requirements, (minimum of six terms of full-time secondary enrollment) students shall be permitted to enroll, having met the entrance criteria for seniors. Students may need to take additional courses in order to qualify for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program; 3. Have the approval of the high school Principal or designee as to eligibility; 4. Have achieved minimum test scores on the ACT or SAT; 5. Have the final approval of the FGCU Director of Admissions. b. Dual Enrollment students must: 1. Have a 3.3 grade point average in the recalculated GPA using academic courses; 2. Have completed a minimum of four semesters of secondary enrollment; 3. Not have completed sufficient units to qualify for high school graduation, and must apply all credits earned to meeting high school graduation requirements; 3. Have the approval of the high school Principal or designee as to eligibility; 4. Have achieved minimum test scores on the ACT or SAT; 5. Have the final approval of the FGCU Director of Admissions. c. Application and enrollment procedures are as follows: 1. Bring or provide the following information to FGCU: (a) Completed application for admission, by the advertised deadlines, (note that International Students will have additional documentation requirements and should meet the deadlines for international students to allow for the extra processing time); (b) Completed FGCU Early Admission/Dual Enrollment Authorization Form; FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 3

4 (c) Personal letter outlining reasons for seeking admission into the accelerated program (Early Admission or part time Dual Enrollment); (d) Official test scores; official high school transcripts. 2. Once admitted, schedule and complete an interview with the FGCU First Year Advising Office. 3. Attend the designated orientation session and advisement at the University. 2. Any student interested in applying to FGCU Collegiate High School must qualify as an early admissions candidate and admission to the FGCU CHS will only be considered for the fall term. Once started in the program students may attend summer sessions. a. CHS students must meet the following requirements: 1. Completed all sophomore requirements and be designated as a rising junior; 2. Demonstrated exceptional ability and college readiness as substantiated by a high school transcript, letters of recommendation, and a scholastic resume of academic achievements and activities; 3. Have a 3.3 grade point average in academic courses using the recalculated GPA; 4. Have achieved minimum test scores on the ACT or SAT; 5. Obtained approval/ recommendation from a high school principal or designee; 6. Obtained approval/ recommendation from a teacher in his/her area of degree interest; 7. Successfully completed and passed the Entrance Interview with the FGCU Collegiate High School Admissions Committee. b. Final approval for admission to the FGCU Collegiate High School will be made by the FGCU Collegiate High School Admission Committee. c. To apply, an applicant must submit a complete package no later than the advertised deadline. The complete package will contain the following in hardcopy format: 1. FGCU admission application, (note that International Students will have additional documentation requirements and should meet the deadlines for international students to allow for the extra processing time). 2. Supplemental FGCU Collegiate High School application. 3. FGCU Collegiate High School Early Admission Authorization Form. 4. Letter of eligibility/recommendation from high school principal or approved designee. 5. Letter of eligibility/recommendation from a teacher in his/her area of degree interest. 6. Resume including educational history, achievements and awards, activities, and service. 7. Official high school transcript. 8. Official SAT or ACT test scores. FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 4

5 SECTION V - PROGRAM ASSURANCES AND PROCEDURES A. Designation of College-Level Courses 1. Courses offered under this Agreement shall include those for which credit may be applied toward the Associate in Arts degree or Bachelor s degree at FGCU and toward high school graduation in accordance with state course guidelines. Current law allows for any course in the Statewide Course Numbering System that are at least three credits, with the exception of remedial and Physical Education skills courses, to be offered as Dual Enrollment or Early Admission courses. The Dual Enrollment Course-High School Subject Area Equivalency List as published by the Department of Education and posted on the FACTS.org web site should be consulted. 2. With prior approval from both the High School counselor and the FGCU advisor students in the Early Admission or Collegiate High School program may take additional courses that are less than three credits when those courses are required in the freshman year in accordance with the degree program tracking. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits of other course work. These courses will be listed on the FGCU transcript but not on the high school transcript. 2. There is a total course load minimum of 12 credit hours and a maximum of 16 credit hours for Early Admission students and CHS students (except summer term). Dual Enrolled students must be less than full time which is 12 credit hours. 3. Ineligible courses for Dual Enrollment and Early Admission include college preparatory instruction and other forms of pre-collegiate instruction. Physical education, recreation and leisure studies should be evaluated on an individual basis for potential inclusion in the program. B. Transferability of Credits 1. When students who have taken courses under this Agreement present evidence of their graduation from high school to the University, the college credit becomes valid. Such credit shall then be applicable to an Associate in Arts or Bachelor s degree at the University. 2. Each college or university has its own transfer of credit policies. Students interested in transferring to other colleges or universities should refer to the appropriate catalog for the institution to determine which credits may be transferable. 3. Students receive final grades via the FGCU Web-based student information system GULFLINE... Official transcripts are provided from the Registrar s office to the high school designee at the end of each semester. Students will be able to receive high school transcripts each semester from their home high schools. C. Communication with Students and Parents FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 5

6 1. It shall be the primary responsibility of the principal/designee in each high school of the School Board to inform students and their parents in writing of opportunities under this Agreement and the requirements for participation. 2. An explanation of the Early Admission, Dual Enrollment and Collegiate High School programs is published in the FGCU University catalog and on the University s web site and in separate university publications. 3. The FGCU Collegiate High School director will be available to students and parents to answer questions and concerns regarding the FGCU Collegiate High School program. 4. The FGCU Collegiate High School director will be the liaison between FGCU and parents of FGCU Collegiate High School students. All parent communications must be directed to the FGCU Collegiate High School director. For students in Early Admission or Dual Enrollment outside of the CHS, communications should be directed to the First Year Advising Office. 5. Once students enroll at FGCU their student records become subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The university Registrar s office can provide guidance on FERPA regulations. D. Administrative and Procedural Relationships Specific administrative and procedural relationships shall include, but not be limited to: 1. Procedures relating to orientation and registration that will be conducted on the University campus. Students are required to comply with the registration, academic policies, University calendar and the code of conduct outlined in the Student Guidebook. 2. Procedures relating to the provision of student textbooks by the University. 3. Procedures relating to the reporting of progress of students and final grades earned. 4. Procedures relating to amendment of this Agreement. 5. Procedures for amending The Student Progression Plan and individual high school course offering information, as necessary to include the Early Admission FGCU Collegiate High School program. E. Quality of Instruction 1. The instructor s performance in each University course will be monitored by the appropriate University administrator. In addition, students will participate in student evaluation of instruction using the approved University process. 2. The quality assessment of Early Admission, Dual Enrollment and Collegiate High School courses and programs shall include, but not be limited to, these criteria: a. Follow the appropriate approved course content outline for the specific course title and number in the common course numbering system; b. Follow the appropriate approved course content outline identifying course objectives, outcomes, requirements and grading system; FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 6

7 F. Counseling Services, Admissions Counseling, and Monitoring of Academic Progress 1. High school students who are completing courses under the terms of this Agreement shall be entitled to all University services offered to students. 2. Students who seek to enroll as high school Early Admission, Dual Enrollment students must be approved as to their eligibility for such enrollment by the high school Principal or designee. The counseling staff at the high school shall advise students according to their high school graduation requirements. The University advisors will schedule students for these courses at the earliest priority registration date. 3. Final approval for enrollment shall be reflected by the affixed signature of the FGCU Director of Admissions on the admissions package and letter sent by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions... The University shall accept the signature of the high school Principal or designee on the form as decisive regarding acceptability of the credits towards high school graduation requirements. 4. The Office of First Year Advising will advise students according to their major requirements and their approved plan of study and will assist students in registering for these courses. 5. Student performance in the Early Admission courses and Dual Enrollment courses shall be monitored by the University professor on a regular basis via testing and performance on other assignments. 6. The FGCU Collegiate High School director will advise CHS students according to their major requirements and their approved plan of study for high school graduation, and will assist students in registering for these courses. 7. Student performance in the FGCU Collegiate High School shall be monitored by the FGCU Collegiate High School coordinator on a regular basis via the following methods: a. Mid-semester progress checks b. End-of-semester final grade report c. High school graduation requirement audits d. Degree pre-requisite audits G. Costs 1. Books and Materials: Costs of student books and instructional materials required for Dual Enrollment/Early Admission/Collegiate High School courses will be the responsibility of the School District. Items such as calculators, consumable materials, bluebooks, notebooks, and folders are not included in materials provided by the School District. 2. The School District shall be responsible for the preparation of all paper work in regards to reimbursement. This form is to be submitted to the College for each student at the time of registration. Students enrolled in courses held on the college campus or classes held at the high school for which books are not available at the high school shall: a. Present their Dual Enrollment Reimbursement Request course form to the FGCU Bookstore staff at the beginning of the semester. FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 7

8 3. Tuition and Fees FGCU shall file reimbursement for cost of textbooks and other instructional materials with the School District within sixty (60) days after the beginning of the semester. The School District shall remit cost of books and instructional materials by the final class day of the semester. b. Return the books to the FGCU Bookstore, at the conclusion of the semester (or when a student withdraws, or is withdrawn from a course). A receipt for the returned materials will be issued to the student. The bookstore receipt must be presented to the High School dual enrollment program coordinator and for CHS students to the CHS Coordinator. a. Students enrolled in the Early Admission, Dual Enrollment or Collegiate High School program shall be exempt from payment of all application, registration, matriculation, and laboratory fees. b. Students will be responsible for orientation, and student ID fees. 4. Distribution of Financial Resources H. Transportation Calculation of full-time equivalent membership with respect to instruction from community colleges or universities: Students enrolled in university dual enrollment instruction pursuant to s may be included in calculations of full-time equivalent student memberships for basic programs for grades 9 through 12 by a district school board. Such students may also be calculated as the proportional shares of full-time equivalent enrollments they generate for the university conducting the dual enrollment instruction. Early Admission and CHS students shall be considered dual enrollment for funding purposes. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from class. I. Extracurricular Activities Students enrolled in the FGCU under these programs shall be allowed to partake in their home high school extracurricular activities as so desired and necessary provided such participation does not interfere with their FGCU responsibilities. This shall include specific senior year activities such as proms and graduation ceremonies. J. Indemnification The University assumes no liability for personal injury and damages of students, the School Board and, further, that nothing contained herein shall be construed or interpreted as (1) denying to either party any remedy or defense available to such party under the laws of the State of Florida; (2) the consent of the University or the State of Florida or their agents and agencies to be sued; of (3) a waiver of sovereign immunity of the FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 8

9 University, the School Board, the County, or of the State of Florida beyond the waiver provided in section Florida Statutes. K. Non-Discrimination Policy The parties shall not discriminate against any employee or participant in the performance of the duties, responsibilities and obligations under this Agreement because of race, age, religion, color, gender, national origin, marital status, disability or sexual orientation. L. Prior Negotiations This document incorporates and includes all prior negotiations, correspondence, conversations, agreements and understandings applicable to the matters contained herein and, the parties agree that there are no commitments, agreements or understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement that are not contained in this document. Accordingly, the parties agree that no deviation from the terms hereof shall be predicated upon any prior representations or agreements, whether oral or written. SECTION VI CONTACTS All notices, forms and other communications hereunder shall be mailed or delivered as follows: 1. If to the School Board address to: Superintendent of Schools Lee County School District 2855 Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers, FL If to the University, address to: Director of Admissions Florida Gulf Coast University FGCU Boulevard South Ft. Myers, FL SECTION VII - TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date of the last signature and is subject to annual review. This Agreement shall continue until canceled by either party in writing on or before May 1 st of each year. Such cancellation or substantive modifications shall be sixty (60) days in advance and shall take effect no sooner than the end of the next Florida Gulf Coast University academic session. Any student currently enrolled under the terms of this Agreement at the time of cancellation shall be permitted to complete the program. FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 9

10 (Corporate Seal) ATTEST: Michael McNerney., Interim Superintendent of Schools THE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD of LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA By, Chair Approved as to Form: School Board Attorney FOR FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Date Joseph Shepard, Vice President Administrative Services Date Margaret Gray-Vickrey, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Approved as to Form Date University Attorney FGCU/Lee District DE Agreement and Acceleration Plan 10