2271 - ARTICULATION AND ACCESS TO FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEMS INSTITUTIONS

Postsecondary Enrollment Programs

The Board recognizes the value to students and to the District for students to participate in programs offered by accredited colleges and universities. The Superintendent will annually develop/revise articulation agreements jointly with postsecondary institutions to provide a comprehensive articulated acceleration program including, but not limited to, dual enrollment courses both in-person and online, and early admission programs.

Students in grades 6 through 12 who meet eligibility criteria established under Florida law and by the State Board of Education may enroll in approved postsecondary programs while in attendance in the District. Secondary students may also participate in career and career certificate dual enrollment that will enable them to earn industry certification. Students will be eligible to receive secondary credit for completing courses contained in any of these programs. Such credit will count toward graduation requirements. The District will pay for the cost of instructional materials for public high school students who are earning credit toward graduation under the dual enrollment program.

For students who are dual enrolled in a postsecondary institution, the Superintendent shall notify the institution within one (1) business day of receiving notification from law enforcement when a student is arrested.

No minor student may participate without the written consent of parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s). 

Annually, all secondary school students and their parents shall be informed of the options available to students for all dual enrollment programs (as an educational option and mechanism for acceleration) and eligibility requirements.

The postsecondary education institutions will assign a letter grade for the student's work in the course, and the District will be responsible for posting dual enrollment course grades as assigned by the postsecondary institution to the high school transcript. The Superintendent shall also establish procedures for the awarding of credit and the proper entry on a student's transcript and other records of his/her participation in a postsecondary program.

The District may deny high school credit for any portion of postsecondary courses which are taken during the period of a student’s expulsion. Any District student who is expelled is not eligible for enrollment or continuation in postsecondary courses during the period of expulsion except as determined by mutual agreement between the District and the college or university. A student may lose the opportunity to participate in a dual enrollment course if the student is disruptive to the learning process such that the progress of other students or the efficient administration of the course is hindered. 

Early College Program 

The Board, in conjunction with Florida College System institutions, shall establish one (1) or more early college-structured high school accelerated programs. When creating an early college program, the Board shall execute a contract with a local Florida College System institution that contains all the requirements set forth in F.S. 1007.273. The program shall be established a mutually agreeable location. Each contract must be executed by January 1st of each school year for implementation during the next school year.

The Board may execute a contract to establish an early college program with a State university or an institution that is eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant Program, that is a nonprofit independent college or university located and chartered in this State, and that is accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the State Board of Education to grant baccalaureate degrees. Such university or institution must meet the requirements specified under F.S. 1007.273.

Students participating in an early college program must enter into a student performance contract which must be signed by the student, the parent, and a representative of the District and the applicable Florida College System institution, State university, or other institution participating pursuant to State law. The performance contract shall include the schedule of courses, by semester, and industry certifications to be taken by the student, student attendance requirements, and course grade requirements.

Potential Benefits, Risks, and Consequences of Participation in Postsecondary Programs

The potential benefits of participating in postsecondary programs include the following:

1. expanded curriculum offerings;
2. opportunities to study in more depth those areas of special interest or need;
3. opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school;
4. opportunities for financial support for taking college courses while still in high school; and,
5. opportunities to experience college-level work and life prior to making final decisions about whether and/or where to attend college.

The potential risks of participation in postsecondary programs include the following:

1. increased student responsibility for learning because of less instructional guidance;
2. reduced opportunities to participate in high school co-curricular and extra-curricular activities;
3. increased financial obligations for tuition, books, materials, and fees, if college credit only is sought;
4. potential loss of after-school employment opportunities;
5. possible effect on grade point average and class standing;
6. possible delay of graduation;
7. increased time for travel, study, etc.; and
8. exposure to mature subject matter and materials, including those of a graphic, explicit, violent, or sexual nature that will not be modified because of the student's participation.

Revised 7/22/14
Revised 3/12/24
Revised 10/15/24

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