Plainwell High School Dual Enrollment Handbook Dear Parents, We are excited to be able to offer many options for your student to earn high school and college credit while at Plainwell High School through dual enrollment. Dual enrollment allows high school students to take tuition-waived or reduced college courses while still in high school. Courses count both as high school and college credit. This handbook is designed to answer many questions regarding dual enrollment options and will provide the policies for the school. Students should understand that dual enrollment courses are college courses. There is potential for a far greater workload than that of a regular high school course. In addition, dual enrollment courses become a part of a student s permanent college transcript. Poor performance in dual enrollment courses may affect college admission and financial aid. If you have an interest in exploring this dual enrollment option, please work with your counselor to set up a plan that will give you the opportunity to participate in dual enrollment in high school. As always, please do not hesitate to contact us at the guidance office if you have any questions. We can be reached at (269)685-9554. Sincerely, Jeremy Wright Principal 1
STEPS TO DUAL ENROLLMENT 1. Obtain and complete with your counselor the dual enrollment packet, which is available in the guidance office and at the Guidance Office web page at plainwellschools.org. 2. Complete an admissions application to the college you wish to attend. The college applications are available in the guidance office. Completed applications should be returned to the guidance office and will be mailed from the high school with a transcript of your grades. 3. Have the college course(s) you are hoping to take approved by your high school counselor. You must have these approved if you want the school to pay the tuition and fees. 4. Upon approval of the college course(s) by the high school counselor, get registered for the class (es). It is the student s responsibility to register for these. Completing steps 1 thru 3 above does not mean a student is registered for the college class. There is a registration process that you must complete. If you have any questions about this, or trouble in trying to register, see your high school counselor for assistance. (KVCC has a test, the ASSET that students must take before being allowed to register for certain classes. Schedule the ASSET test by calling 488-4100.) In addition, you must show your driver s license to the registration office at KVCC before they will allow you to register for classes. You can take your driver s license down in person or we can fax a copy of it from the high school. WMU provides an academic advisor who can be contacted for assistance with course registration for dual enrollment students if needed. It is best to work with your high school counselor if you have any questions regarding the registration process. Eligibility Eligible student means a student enrolled in at least one (1) high school class in the District for the year in which participation is sought or state approved nonpublic school in Michigan. Students must be an enrolled student in the District. Students become eligible by completing all of the required tests and receiving a score(s) that qualifies for entry into the postsecondary (dual) enrollment program. An eligible student must have at least one parent or legal guardian who is a resident of Michigan. Except as provided by law, an eligible student shall not have benn enrolled in high school for more than four (4) school years, including the school year in which the student seeks to enroll in a postsecondary (dual) enrollment course. Foreign-exchange students are not eligible. 2
Eligible Institutions and Courses A list of the postsecondary institutions at which your student may enroll and the courses which can be selected may be obtained from the high school counseling office. Program Eligibility and Credit Options A. An eligible course is any course offered by the postsecondary institution other than one considered to be a hobby craft; recreation or physical education; theology, divinity, or religious education and that is not offered by the school, or is offered but determined by the school not available to your child. B. Your child may opt to receive high school credit, college credit, or both at the time of enrollment in each course. C. High school credit may be counted toward graduation and subject area requirements. D. In order to be eligible for one (1) or more postsecondary courses, if your child is in grade 10, you may request that s/he take applicable High School Proficiency Tests at the regularly-scheduled time in the Spring or the retest time in the Fall. Enrollment Two months before the start of the term, the student or his/her parent must complete and submit the Dual Enrollment Request Form with the high school administration which signifies the student s intent to participate in the program for the following school year. Failure to meet this deadline shall exclude your child from the program for that term unless a waiver is granted by the Superintendent. You may withdraw from participation at any time upon written notification to the high school administration. You and your child are to identify the appropriate postsecondary course(s) prior to the start of the first class session of the Fall quarter or semester at the postsecondary institution. Once the first class session of the Fall term has been held, your child may not change the selected course(s) during the period of that school year, regardless of the number of courses taken. Credit Options Students will be able to elect to take courses for college credit only, for high school credit only, or for both high school and college credit. The student shall designate the type of credit desired at the time of enrollment and shall notify both the high school and the postsecondary institution of the designation. An eligible student taking more than one (1) eligible course may make different credit designations for different courses. 3
Financial Arrangements The District will pay the charges submitted by the postsecondary institution or the prorated percentage of the State foundation allowance paid on behalf of the particular student, whichever is the lessor. Charges in excess of the payment will be billed by the postsecondary institution to the student and his / her parents. The postsecondary institution will not charge a late fee provided your child registers during the institution's drop/add period. Should students fail to complete a course and a refund is available, the School District shall be reimbursed first. In the event reimbursement is not made in a reasonable period of time, a claim may be filed against the student and / or his/her parents in Small Claims Court for collection. Process for Granting Academic Credits When students have elected to receive high school credit for postsecondary institution courses, credit will be awarded for successful completion of courses in accordance with the following guidelines: A. The principal shall require your child to submit a course syllabus or detailed description of each postsecondary institution course taken so that a comparison can be made with existing high school courses. B. If the principal determines that the postsecondary institution course is comparable to one offered by the high school, the equivalent high school credit shall be granted. C. If the principal determines that the postsecondary institution course is not comparable to one offered by the high school, credit shall be granted in a subject area similar to that taken by your child at the postsecondary institution. D. In the event that the student or parents contest the credit, the Superintendent shall determine the appropriate credit. The Superintendent's decision shall be final and binding. E. Students who enroll in a postsecondary institution course for both high school and postsecondary institution credit will receive on their high school transcript the grade issued by the postsecondary institution and the appropriate grade will be calculated in the student s G.P.A. Please see the weighting criteria below for more information. 4
Weighted Grades for College Courses College courses taken for dual-enrollment credit may receive weighted grades if they meet the following criteria: 1) The college course must be in a core content area (English, Math, Science, or Social Studies) and it must meet or exceed the highest level course offered at PHS. 2) The college course must be of similar rigor to an Advanced Placement class. For example, a beginning Psychology class at college is comparable to taking a beginning Psychology class in high school and would not be weighted. A college course comparable in rigor to AP Psychology would be weighted. 3) Also weighted would be a college course at or above a 300 level or a course equivalent to an AP course not currently offered at PHS such as Macroeconomics. 4) All courses that are to receive weighted credit must have prior approval from the high school administration and the student's counselor. If a request to weight a course is denied, the student may petition the principal in writing who will designate a committee to review the syllabus of the college course in question. The decision of the committee is binding. Consequences for Failing or Not Completing a Course MCL 388.514(9) and MCL 388.1904(9) states that the eligible student shall repay to the school district any funds that were expended by the school district for the course that are not refunded to the school district by the eligible postsecondary institution. If the eligible student does not repay this money, the school district may impose sanctions against the eligible student as determined by school district policy. This subdivision does not apply to an eligible student who does not complete the course due to a family or medical emergency, as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution. Books Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, eligible students enrolling in a postsecondary course for high school credit only shall have the costs of required textbooks paid for by the school district. If the course is for dual college and high school credit the responsibility lies with the student. Reporting of Grades Grades earned in college courses will be reported on the high school transcript as the letter grade earned unless a credit / no credit option is approved by the principal prior to the start of the college course. A student must demonstrate significant need in order to qualify for the credit/no credit option. 5
Dual Enrollment Course Limits Students must adhere to the following limits when signing up for a dual enrollment course: Limited to 10 for high school career If the students starts in 9 th grade, maximum of 2 per year in 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th grade; maximum of 4 in 12 th grade If the student starts in 10 th grade, maximum of 2 per year in 10 th grade, 4 in 11 th, and 4 in 12 th If the student starts in 11 th grade, maximum of 6 in either 11 th or 12 th grades and a maximum of 10 total If the student starts in 12 th grade, maximum of 6 in 12 th grade Grade you start dual enrollment Maximum dual enrollment courses you may take this year 9 th grade 10 th grade 11 th grade 12 th grade High School Maximum Start in 9 th 2 2 2 4 10 Start in 10 th --- 2 4 4 10 Start in 11 th --- --- 6 4 if took 6 last year 5 if took 5 last year Otherwise 6 Start in 12 th --- --- --- 6 6 10 6
Required Test Scores Table 1 7
FAQs Q: Is a student allowed to count a math class taken through dual enrollment at a 2- year or 4-year institution for a mathematics credit required under the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC)? A: Yes. If the district determines the class meets the MMC course/credit content expectations for that credit or the district's requirements for a 4th math credit. In addition, all students, regardless of where the credit is offered, should be held to the same level of proficiency (passing standards). This could be accomplished by working with the two-year or four-year institution to align its content and assessment to the credit content expectations. A district also could establish a policy requiring a student who successfully completed a credit at a two-year or four-year institution to take the credit assessment to earn credit. Q: Which postsecondary educational institutions may student attend? A: Eligible postsecondary educational institution means a state university, community college or independent nonprofit degree-granting college or university that is located in his state and that chooses to comply with this act. MCL 388.1903(f) Q: Which students are eligible to participate in dual enrollment? A: Student eligibility to participate in dual enrollment is a local decision that should include multiple sources of information about whether or not a student is ready for a postsecondary educational experience. In terms of academic readiness, student eligibility for enrollment should be informed by student performance on one or more of the assessments listed in Table 1 above (pg. 7). The MDE supports the use of career and college ready benchmarks whenever possible for this purpose. Table 1 display generally comparable, Minimum Dual Enrollment Qualifying Scores for a number of assessments. However, there are two classes of assessments represented in Table 1 (pg. 7): The MME, ACT, SAT, Compass and Accuplacer scores are designed to be indicative of whether or not a student is ready to take post-secondary courses and succeed without remediation. The EXPLORE, PLAN and PSAT scores are designed to indicate whether or not a student is on track to be ready to take post-secondary courses and succeed without remediation and meet the benchmarks set on the assessments in the bullet above. In light of these differences, the same weight should not be given to scores from the different classes of assessment. 8
Q: What are the courses students may take? A: Eligible courses include: A course offered by an eligible postsecondary institution that is not offered by the school district or state approved nonpublic school including Advance Placement and online courses A course offered by the school district or state approved nonpublic school but is determined by the board of the school district to not be available to the eligible student because of a scheduling conflict beyond the eligible student's control A course offered by a postsecondary CTE program that is offered for postsecondary credit or is part of a noncredit occupational training program leading to an industryrecognized credential that is not offered through the school district, intermediate school district, area vocational-technical education program or state approved nonpublic school in which the eligible student is enrolled. Q: Are there any limitations regarding which courses a student may take at a postsecondary institution? A: Yes. Courses that are a hobby, craft, recreational or a course that is in the areas of physical education, theology, divinity, or religious education, are not eligible for tuition support. Q: Do students have to exhaust the high school s curriculum before they are eligible for postsecondary enrollment? A: No. State law requires the postsecondary course(s) eligible for tuition support be course(s) not offered by the district or state approved nonpublic school but does not require students to take all available high school courses before enrolling in postsecondary courses. However, if the district or state approved nonpublic school offers college level equivalent courses (AP or IB), these courses have precedence over an entry-level postsecondary course with similar content. Also, high school credits granted to a student shall be counted toward the graduation and subject area requirements of the school district. 9
Q: May students attend college classes in the evening? A: Yes. Students may elect to take college courses during the school day, in the evening, or on weekends. Courses should be taken on campus or through a virtual university. If a public school student successfully completes a college level equivalent course that is offered by electronic means, including, but not limited to, the Internet, digital broadcast, or satellite network, and if offered by a regionally accredited college or university, or the Michigan Virtual High School described in Section 1481, the district is required to: Grant appropriate high school credit for completion of the course; Count that credit toward the graduation and subject area requirements of the state, school district or public school academy. Q: Who decides what type of credit a student will receive for postsecondary enrollment? A: The law requires a student to designate whether the course is for high school or postsecondary credit, or both at the time of enrollment. Students also are required to notify the high school of his/her decision. Students taking more than one postsecondary course may make different credit designations for different courses. Q: Should districts accept the grade a student receives in a college course and incorporate it into the student s high school Grade Point Average (GPA)? A: The language does not address the issue of grades. However, in its Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires that all core courses used for collegiate athletic eligibility must indicate a grade and be calculated in to the student s high school GPA. This requirement only pertains to Division I or II collegiate athletes. It is of great importance that students are informed of these regulations and offered the opportunity to request a grade on their transcripts. Q: What issues should high school counselors address when they meet with students considering dual enrollment? A: Counseling is critical. Students capable of college-level curricula are not automatically knowledgeable about college course selection and enrollment process. To the extent possible, districts shall provide counseling services to each eligible student and his or her parent or guardian of the benefits, risks, and possible consequences of enrolling in a postsecondary course. A district may provide the counseling in a group meeting if additional individual counseling is also made available. 10
Q: Exactly what costs are school districts required to pay? A: State law requires that all school districts pay a student s tuition and mandatory course fees, including technology fees, materials fees, registration fees, and any late fees charged by the postsecondary institution. Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, eligible students enrolling in a postsecondary course for high school credit only shall have the costs of required textbooks paid for by the school district. Eligible charges do not include transportation, parking costs, or most activity fees. However, under the law, the total amount of tuition and fee support shall not exceed either of the following: The total amount of the tuition and fees for the course(s) The statewide pupil-weighted average foundation allowance, adjusted for the proportion of the school year that the student attends the postsecondary institution For example: HIGH SCHOOL ON TRIMESTERS, POSTSECONDARY ON SEMESTERS: The statewide weighted-average foundation for FY 2012-13 is $7,209 which equates to $2,403 per trimester. If the high school has a 5 hour day, each hour would equate to $721.00 per course ($7,209/15 X 1.5). (15 is the number of courses per year, 1.5 is the multiplier used to convert from trimesters to semesters). Therefore, the local district would be responsible for the actual charge for tuition and fees for the college courses up to the amount of $721.00, or the actual amount charged by the postsecondary institution, whichever is less. Full Time Equivalency (FTE) calculations are based on the total number of both high school and college courses, equaling 100 percent of enrolled time, or FTE. Should the total number of both high school and college courses not equal 100 percent of enrolled time (including travel and course lab time), the per course rate would be adjusted accordingly. Q: If a student fails to compete a district/school paid postsecondary course is he or she responsible for the fees/tuition not refunded by the postsecondary institution? A: Yes, MCL 388.514(9) and MCL 388.1904(9) states that the eligible student shall repay to the school district any funds that were expended by the school district for the course that are not refunded to the school district by the eligible postsecondary institution. If the eligible student does not repay this money, the school district may impose sanctions against the eligible student as determined by school district policy. This subdivision does not apply to an eligible student who does not complete the course due to a family or medical emergency, as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution. For an eligible student who is enrolled in a state approved nonpublic school, please refer to MCL 388.514(10) and MCL 388.1904(10). 11
Name Student ID number I would like to take the following classe(s) at for the semester. Course name Course number Section number Funds (office use only) Please advise if there is a problem with either taking the above class(es) or with the school paying for the classes marked above for dual enrollment funds. Signature of Student Date I have read the steps in dual enrollment and eligibility for dual enrollment (page two of this packet) and give my approval for to participate in dual enrollment (Postsecondary Education Options) in the classes listed above. I understand the student is responsible for any tuition/fees cost above that covered by the school based on the formula determined by the state, and that the student is responsible to pay for the entire class in the event of a failing grade or equivalent. Signature of Parent (Return this to guidance office) Date 12
DUAL ENROLLMENT AUTHORIZATION Name College Student ID number College Semester Name of college I am enrolling for: high school credit college credit only high school and college credit. Class (include course number and section number) Class (include course number and section number) Class (include course number and section number) -------------------Students do not write below this line------------------- NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES % OF COLLEGE TO TOTAL CLASSES AMOUNT TO BE PAID The above student is dually enrolled at the college listed above and is eligible for assistance in covering tuition/fees for the classes listed above. Signature of Principal/Asst. Principal Date (Return this page to guidance office) 13