In accordance with this policy, students in grades 9 through 12 may receive academic or vocational/technical education credits that count toward graduation requirements set out by the board for courses successfully completed in post-secondary educational institutions. Students and parents or guardians will be made aware of the post-secondary instructional opportunities as part of the development of each student’s individual career and academic plan as required by law. Students may receive academic or vocational/technical education credits through an agreement between a post-secondary educational institution or with the board’s approval on a case-by-case basis.
The following factors will be considered in the board’s determination of whether a student will receive academic or vocational/technical education credits toward graduation requirements for a course at a post-secondary educational institution:
- The course is taken from a public or accredited private post-secondary educational institution;
- A comparable course is not offered in the district. A comparable course is one in which the subject matter or the purposes and objectives of the course are similar, in the judgment of the board, to a course offered in the district;
- The course is in the discipline areas of mathematics, science, social sciences, humanities, vocational/technical education, or a course offered in the community college career options program;
- The course is a credit-bearing course that leads to a degree;
- The course is not religious or sectarian;
- The course meets any other requirements set out by the board;
- The course complies with Department of Education’s requirements for meeting proficiency criteria for the Every Student Succeeds Act; and
- The course complies with Department of Education’s senior year plus criteria.
Students in grades 9 through 12 who successfully complete courses in post-secondary educational institutions under an agreement between the district and the post-secondary educational institution will receive academic and vocational/technical education credits in accordance with the agreement. The superintendent [or designee] shall grant to a student who successfully completes a post-secondary education option (PSEO) course a unit of high school graduation credit for every unit of high school level instruction successfully completed.
Students who have completed the eleventh grade but who have not completed the graduation requirements set out by the board may take up to seven semester hours of credit at a post-secondary educational institution during the summer months when school is not in session, if the students pay for the courses. Upon successful completion of the summer courses, students will receive academic or vocational/technical education credits toward graduation requirements which are set by the board. Successful completion of the courses is determined by the post-secondary educational institution.
Students in grades 11 and 12 who take courses other than courses taken under an agreement between the district and the post-secondary educational institution, will be responsible for transportation without reimbursement to and from the location where the course is being offered.
Ninth and tenth grade talented and gifted students and all students in grades 11 and 12 will be reimbursed for tuition and other costs directly related to the course up to $250. Students who take courses during the summer months when school is not in session will be responsible for the costs of attendance for the courses.
Students who fail the course and fail to receive credit will reimburse the district for all costs directly related to the course. Prior to registering for the course, students under age 18 will have a parent or guardian sign a form indicating that the parent is responsible for the costs of the course should the student fail the course and fail to receive credit. Students who fail the course and fail to receive credit for reasons beyond their control including but not limited to physical incapacity, a death in the immediate family, or a move out of the school district may not be responsible for the cost of the course. The board may waive reimbursement of costs to the district for the previously listed reasons. Students dissatisfied with the board’s decision may appeal to the local AEA for a waiver of reimbursement.
If a student is unable to demonstrate proficiency or the school district or accredited nonpublic school determines that the course unit completed by the student does not meet the school district’s standards, the superintendent [or designee] will provide, in writing to the student’s parent or guardian, the reason for the denial of credit.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to notify students and parents or guardians of the opportunity to take courses at post-secondary educational institutions in accordance with this policy, on an annual basis. The superintendent [or designee] will also be responsible for developing the appropriate forms and procedures for implementing this policy.
Adopted: 11/92
Reviewed: 1/10; 6/12
Revised: 1/10; 6/11; 9/13; 4/15; 1/18; 11/18; 2/21
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 256.7, .11; 258; 261E; 279.61; 280.3; 280.14; 281 IAC 12 and 22
IASB Reference: 604.6