INDIANA COURSE ACCESS PROGRAM

INDIANA COURSE ACCESS PROGRAM

po2370.03Adopted December 20, 2018Revised February 17, 2022

2370.03 - INDIANA COURSE ACCESS PROGRAM

The School Corporation shall permit eligible students to enroll in course access program ("iCAP") courses offered by a course provider that is authorized by the Indiana Department of Education ("IDOE") with limited exceptions, as provided below.

Eligible students may not enroll in iCAP courses if the same course is offered in the Corporation’s curriculum unless the student’s schedule prohibits the student from enrolling in the course offered by the Corporation.

Eligible students may enroll in iCAP courses only for the following reasons:

  1. credit recovery;

  2. enrichment.

Eligible students wishing to enroll in iCAP courses must complete the Corporation’s local enrollment process, including parent/guardian permission, a statement of commitment to completion of the online course.

Requests to enroll in iCAP courses must be approved by a school counselor or guidance counselor.

Onsite orientation may be offered to assist students in getting started on iCAP courses.

The Corporation shall count successfully completed iCAP courses approved by IDOE toward the requirements of a diploma and include credits earned and grades received for such courses on a student's transcript.

Transfers of tuition payments for enrollment of an eligible student currently enrolled in the Corporation in an iCAP course shall be made to the authorized course provider by the Corporation. The amount of the tuition payment for enrollment of an eligible student in an iCAP course must be paid from the total amount of state tuition support that otherwise would be received by the Corporation on account of the student. Provided, however, that payment may not exceed the tuition fee established by IDOE for an iCAP course in which an eligible student is enrolled. The Corporation shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the tuition fee upon an eligible student's enrollment in an iCAP course. The Corporation shall pay the remaining amount if the measured student outcomes for the course access program course meet requirements set by the IDOE.

All requests to drop an iCAP course must be made to the Principal of the student’s school. Corporation policy for dropping classes shall be followed with respect to iCAP courses.

The Superintendent shall assign a Corporation employee to serve as the Corporation’s Lead Point of Contact for the iCAP who is the primary contact person for the IDOE. The Lead Point of Contact is responsible for: (1) the appeal process; (2) updating the Point of Contact for all schools in the Corporation; and (3) maintaining accurate information. The Principal of a school with eligible students participating in iCAP shall assign a Corporation employee to serve as the school Point of Contact. The school Point of Contact’s primary responsibilities are: (1) to conduct registration transactions with iCAP providers and (2) ensure final grades and credits are reflected on report cards and transcripts. Each eligible student enrolled in an iCAP course will be assigned an iCAP Mentor. Mentors work closely with students to facilitate a positive and successful experience.

Definitions:

"Course access program catalog" means a list of approved course access program courses provided by authorized course providers that is maintained by the IDOE.

"Course provider" means a provider that offers course access program courses that provide for the delivery of instruction through any method, including use of online technologies.

"Eligible student" means a student pursuing:

  1. any type of diploma available for students to receive in Indiana; or

  2. an industry certification that appears on the state board's approved industry certification list.

Exceptions:

The Corporation may disapprove an eligible student's enrollment in an iCAP course only for the following reasons:

  1. The course provided by the course provider is not in furtherance of the eligible student's graduation or certificate requirements.

  2. The eligible student's enrollment in the course access program course would exceed the requirements for a normal full course load at the school corporation.

  3. The course access program course is logistically infeasible.

Provided, however, that the Corporation may not deny enrollment of an eligible student under subdivision (3) if the eligible student agrees to pay the cost of tuition for the applicable iCAP course. Parents of eligible students who choose to pay the cost of tuition for an iCAP course should contact the student’s school to make payment arrangements. If an eligible student has paid for an iCAP course and successfully completes the course, the Corporation shall not reimburse the student for the cost of tuition.

Appeal Process:

If the Corporation denies a student's enrollment in an iCAP course under one of the exceptions listed above, the Corporation shall notify the student's parent or emancipated eligible student of the parent's or student's right to appeal the Corporation's decision to the IDOE. The parent of an eligible student or an emancipated eligible student may appeal the Corporation’s decision to the IDOE in the manner prescribed by the IDOE. Upon receipt of an appeal, the IDOE will send the student’s iCAP point of contact a link to a form for further details/justification from the school. The school has three (3) business days to complete and submit a digital response. If the school does not submit a response in three (3) business days, the school cannot contest the appeal based on any lack of information. Pursuant to State law, the IDOE will review the Corporation's denial and provide a final enrollment decision within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the appeal.

Students with IEPs and Section 504 Plans:

Prior to the enrollment of a Corporation student with a disability into one (1) or more iCAP courses, the student’s case conference committee or Section 504 team should meet to determine whether each online course meets the student’s educational goals, review the individualized education program ("IEP") or Section 504 plan to consider the extent to which the student’s current accommodations can be provided in the virtual learning environment, and revise the IEP or Section 504 plan to identify any additional accommodations or assistive technology that may be needed to ensure equitable access in the virtual learning environment in order to ensure the provision of a free appropriate public education.

Prior to the first day of the online course, the student’s teacher of record ("TOR") or Section 504 Coordinator (or designee) shall provide a copy of the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan to the online course instructor and ensure that the instructor is made aware of any required accommodations or modifications for the student. The online course instructor is responsible for communicating any questions regarding the implementation of the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan to the TOR or Section 504 Coordinator.

T.C. 2/17/22

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