College Credit in High School

SENIOR YEAR PLUS – EARN COLLEGE CREDIT WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL

OVERVIEW

Each year, tens of thousands of Iowa high school students earn college credit during high school to get a jump start on college. These jointly enrolled students are afforded the opportunity to save money, supplement their high school curriculum with rigorous college courses that would not otherwise be available, and expedite their progress toward a college degree. The Senior Year Plus legislation provides students with both high school and college credit, in most cases.

Senior Year Plus serves as an umbrella for a variety of programs including Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), Advanced Placement (AP®), concurrent enrollment, Career Edge Academies, and regional academies.

Depending on the program, the instructors may be a college/university professor or high school instructor serving as a community college adjunct faculty member. The courses may be taken on a college campus, at a high school, or through distance education. Even though there is a variation in the mechanisms available, Senior Year Plus provides consistency in expectations for students, instructors, parents, and school districts, and postsecondary institutions. Students must be adequately academically prepared for higher education, instructors must be qualified, and institutions must meet standards.

STUDENT ELIGIBLITY

Students are required to meet all of the following conditions to be eligible to enroll in any course through a Senior Year Plus program where postsecondary credit is available to the student. The student shall have demonstrated proficiency in all of the content areas of reading, mathematics, and science as evidenced by achievement scores on the most recent administration of the Iowa Assessments for which scores are available for the student. The student shall meet the enrollment requirements established by the eligible postsecondary institution. The student shall meet or exceed minimum performance measures on any academic assessments that may be required by the eligible postsecondary institution. The student shall have taken appropriate course prerequisites, if any, prior to enrollment in the eligible postsecondary course, as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution delivering the course.

For the AP and PSEO Programs: Students in 11th and 12th grades are eligible to participate, as well as 9th and 10th graders identified as ELP (Extended Learning Program) students who meet the above criteria.

For Career Edge Academy and Concurrent Enrollment Programs: Students in 9th-12th grade are eligible to participate that meet the above criteria.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP®) PROGRAM

AP® courses are college-level courses offered and taught in the high school. The courses, curriculum requirements, and optional tests are provided by The College Board. Based on the students’ examination score in May and the postsecondary institution’s policies, students may be eligible for college credit or advanced standing at the college to which they later matriculate.

AP® courses are taught by high school teachers and through distance learning opportunities. Students must be prepared to dedicate time and effort to the range and depth of topics covered by each AP® course. In May, a student may opt to take the AP® Exam. The score received on the exam can potentially earn the student college credit dependent upon the college he/she attends. Students enroll in AP® courses during Spring registration.

POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS (PSEO) PROGRAM

Students may enroll in a college or university course if the course is not offered at the high school. Completion of the course generates high school and college credit. If the student fails to complete or receive credit for the course, a $250 fee is charged to the student. Students enroll in PSEO courses by filling out a PSEO application form in the counselor’s office by May 15 for fall enrollment and November 15 for spring enrollment.

CAREER EDGE ACADEMY PROGRAM

Career academies, taught by high school instructors, are programs of study that combine a minimum of two years of secondary education with an associate degree in a career preparatory program. The program of study is skill standards-based, integrates academic and technical instruction, utilizes work based and work site learning where appropriate and available, utilizes an individual career planning process with parent involvement, and prepares an individual for entry and advancement in a high-skill and rewarding career field. Completion of the course generates high school and college credit. Students enroll in career academy courses during Spring registration.

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT PROGRAM

The concurrent enrollment program promotes rigorous academic or career and technical pursuits by providing opportunities for students to enroll in community college courses taught by high school or community college instructors at the high school. Students enroll in concurrent enrollment courses during Spring registration.