COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS PROGRAM LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GUIDE

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Kerry Cannon
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1 COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS PROGRAM LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GUIDE Introduction College Credit Plus (CCP) is Ohio s system for dual enrollment. Ohio s College Credit Plus can help students earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking college courses from community colleges or universities. The purpose of this program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wide variety of options to college-ready students. Taking a college course from a public college or university through College Credit Plus is free. That means no cost for the application, tuition, books or fees. The College Credit Plus program is open to students entering grades 7 through 12. If you choose to attend a private college or university, student/family may have limited costs. How the Program Works Students in grades 7-12 can apply for College Credit Plus admission to a public or participating private college. The college will admit students based on college-readiness in one or more subject areas. Students may not participate in the College Credit Plus program beyond their anticipated high school graduation date. College Credit Plus provides more options for a student to pursue rigorous academic coursework beyond the high school classroom. College Credit Plus allows high school students to earn college credit and apply that credit toward their high school graduation requirements. Successful completion of a three or more credit-hour college course will result in 1.0 Carnegie unit earned at the high school. A two credit-hour college course will earn students 2/3 of a high school credit, and a one credit-hour college course will convert to 1/3 of a high school credit. High school graduation requirements will not be waived as a result of participation in College Credit Plus. Students will not receive a diploma until after the course is successfully completed and the graduation requirement is met. College Credit Plus does not replace the requirements to earn a high school diploma. This includes earning 18 points or more on the graduation tests. Even if students are enrolled in college courses, they must take the endof-course exams in English I, English II, Algebra I and geometry. Students do not have to take the end-of course exams in biology, American government, and American history if they are enrolled in College Credit Plus courses that substitute for one of these courses. A CCP student s end of-course grades in biology, American government, and American history will correspond with a point scale used for graduation requirements. By February 1, the high school will provide students and parents with general information about CCP. Deadline to notify high school with intent to participate in CCP for the following school year is April 1 by submitting the College Credit Plus Acknowledgment Form and Intent to Enroll Form. These forms are available in the Office of School Counseling. Student must be admitted by the university. The university may have special entrance requirements that must be met before a student can take courses. Before enrolling in courses, parent/guardian and student need to sign a statement indicating the information was received about the program and are aware of the responsibilities regarding the program. 1

2 Deciding to Participate Before deciding to participate in the program, students and parents/guardians should consider the following points: Future Plans If a student plans well, this program can assist in making future education and career decisions and in exploring postsecondary education opportunities. High School Graduation Students participating in CCP will still need to meet high school graduation requirements. Review and understand graduation requirements with your school counselor to make sure graduation requirements will be met. Scheduling Participation in CCP on a part-time basis means students must schedule classes at both the high school and postsecondary institution. Yearly schedules and vacation times can be different between the two. Sometimes it may be difficult or impossible to take the courses a student wants at both schools because of scheduling conflicts. College-level Work Students may find college-level work to be more academically challenging. Students need to be able to work without supervision and have self-discipline both academically and socially. Be sure to be ready for these responsibilities. Transportation If students attend classes at both the high school and the university, they need to think about transportation between the two schools. Be sure to get to classes on time. Extracurricular Activities Students participating in CCP may not be in high school full-time, and students may not be able to participate in some high school activities as a result of taking college classes because time conflicts may occur. Athletics Student athletes must remain eligible in accordance with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) bylaws. To be athletically eligible, students must be passing five one-credit courses or the equivalent per grading period with the high school and college courses combined. Most College Credit Plus courses taken during a semester will equal one Carnegie unit, allowing students to earn more than the required five for athletic eligibility. Please check with your school counselor and athletic director to ensure that the coursework being taking is compliant the OHSAA. Program Advantages The program could benefit students in several ways: Gives students the opportunity to take courses that may not be offered by the high school. Allows students to earn simultaneous high school and transcripted college credits. May accelerate a student s college career and provides quality, affordable education close to home. Provides students with a wider range of class options and allows them to complete general education requirements for college, which are transferable according to Transfer Assurance Guide (TAG) and Ohio Transfer Module (OTM) guidelines. May lower the overall cost of postsecondary education. Under College Credit Plus, students may take up to 30 credit hours per academic year, including summer. Possibly shorten the time to complete a college degree. Many universities determine registration and housing priority based on the number of credits a student has already earned. Introduces students to the rigor and expectations of college work. Could help eliminate repetitive, overlapping coursework between high school and college. 2

3 Potential Risks and Consequences These are some possible disadvantages to participation in this program: Although TAG/OTM courses taken through College Credit Plus are guaranteed transfer to Ohio Public Institutions of Higher Education with a grade of D or better, how the courses transfer may differ depending on majors. Course credit may be applied toward a major requirement, general education/core curriculum requirement, and free elective or total semester hours. Students should check with institutions of interest regarding transfer of courses prior to CCP enrollment. College transfer credits earned through CCP are generally accepted by most major institutions. However, credits are not always guaranteed for transfer toward private or out-of-state institutions. Students who are interested in attending private or out-of-state institutions should ask the institutions they are interested in applying to/attending about transfer of courses prior to CCP enrollment. Grades received through CCP are reflected twice, on high school and college transcripts, both of which will affect respective GPAs. Students struggling with college work are highly advised to consult their instructor at the university level. Students taking CCP courses on campus are responsible for arranging transportation to and from class. Enrollment could reduce opportunities or time for participating in high school activities (athletics, music, band, etc.). There is no guarantee a student will get the courses they want or that CCP courses will be offered at times that work with other scheduling needs, such as high school courses. Classes failed or withdrawn with an F will receive an F on the high school and college transcripts and will be computed into the high school and college GPA. If a student does not receive a passing grade, the district may, in some instances, seek reimbursement for the amount of state funds paid to the college for that college course. The school district may withhold grades and credits received for high school courses taken until reimbursement has been made. Steps To Follow Students who are interested in participation in the College Credit Plus Program will want to talk with parents/guardians, high school counselor, and a representative of the university. This needs to be done far in advance of deadlines. Remember to notify the school district of the intent to participate by April 1 if enrolling for the next school year. Follow this process each year: 1. Discuss plans with parent/guardian. 2. Meet with your high school counselor to discuss the program and how it might fit your educational goals. If you plan to participate in CCP, a parent/guardian and you need to sign the College Credit Plus Acknowledgement Form and Intent to Enroll Form on or before April 1 and return to the office of school counseling. These forms indicate that you and your family have received information about the program and are aware of your responsibilities. 3. Go to the college website to read admission steps and criteria. 4. Meet with the university admissions staff. Take your transcript with you to this meeting. 5. Complete the necessary admission and registration forms/requirements for the university. Be sure to contact your school counselor if you need to make course changes from the original plan when you register at the university. 6. If you participate, provide your college schedule to your high school counselor. Also submit your college grades to your high school counselor when you receive them. 7. Verify the number of high school credits you will receive from the university with your high school. 3

4 Withdrawal from the Program If you decide to no longer participate in the program you must file forms with the university and be sure to meet the deadlines. Failure to file the necessary forms by the deadline could result in a financial obligation. Meet with your high school counselor to develop a new course schedule. Probation A student will be placed on probation from CCP when they earn lower than a cumulative 2.0 GPA in college courses or withdraws from two or more courses in the same term. When on probation students may enroll in no more than one college course, may not enroll in the college course in the same subject in which they earned a D or F or received no credit, and a student remains on probation until they improve their cumulative college GPA to a 2.0 or higher (maximum of two terms). A student is placed on CCP dismissal when the student has met the definition of CCP probation for two consecutive college terms. Once a student is dismissed from the CCP program, the student may not enroll in college courses for the following college term. After one college term on dismissal, the student may request their secondary school allow the student to participate. A student who has been dismissed from the program or is prohibited from taking a course in the same subject may request an appeal. Books Books required for course work are free through CCP. These necessary books will be charged to a school account at the bookstore. These books belong to the high/middle school and should be sold back to the bookstore at the end of the semester to credit the school account. Any books not bought back by the bookstore must be returned to your counselor immediately upon completion of the class. Any book that is lost or not returned will be charged to the student/family. Conclusion Think carefully about the advantages the program has to offer you and talk it over with parents/guardians. If you have more questions, see your school counselor or the program coordinator at the universities. 4

5 College Credit Plus Acknowledgement Form Student Name (print): Parent/Guardian Name (print): As specified in the Ohio Revised Code , the above student and parent/guardian have been provided counseling concerning the advantages, possible risks and consequences of participation in College Credit Plus concerning: 1. Program Eligibility 2. Availability of options 3. Financial obligations 4. The process of granting academic credits 5. Scheduling arrangements and possible difficulties 6. The consequences of failing or not completing a course and the effect of the grade on both the high school and college transcript 7. The effects participation may have on high school graduation requirements 8. The academic and social responsibilities of students and parents/guardians 9. Encouragement to use advising/counseling services at the college level 10. Information that students can take college courses at no cost 11. Encouragement to consider the program if the student has the ability to undertake college work I understand the responsibilities I must assume in the College Credit Plus Program. Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature 5

6 College Credit Plus Participation Intent to Enroll Student Name (print): : Please check the appropriate box for next school year: Loveland Middle School Loveland High School Grade level for next school year: Please check the appropriate box(es) for next year: CCP class(es) at LHS campus Class name(s): CCP classes at university/college campus University/campus name: This is to serve as notification that I intend to participate in the CCP program. I understand that it is my responsibility to notify my high school counselor if I do not gain admission to an institution of higher education (IHE) or fail to participate for some other reason. By completing this form, I am authorizing the information on my transcript to be released to the college(s) listed above. It is my responsibility to confirm with the institution of higher education that my application is complete. It is my responsibility to notify the Office of School Counseling of any additional requested information. I understand that failure to complete any steps in the application process could result in a delay and late filing. Student Signature: Parent Signature: If you intend to participate this form must be turned in to your school counselor no later than April 1 of the school year before you begin participating. FOR OFFICE ONLY Received: Received By: 6

7 College Credit Plus (CCP) and the First 15 Rule Students must complete 15 credit hours in Level I college course work before progressing to Level II college classes. Check the university website for a list of Level I courses. Exceptions to the rule may be made if a student wishes to continue with a course in the same subject or tests directly into a Level II course. Students who have achieved the required scores on an AP course examination may count the course toward the First 15. If using AP course work for the First 15, students are responsible for sending an official AP score report to the university they plan to attend for CCP classes. The score must be received and reviewed before taking the Level II college class. Non-allowable courses for CCP: one-on-one private instruction course, study abroad courses, physical education courses, P/F or S/U grades (unless the course is an internship or is transferable), remedial courses, sectarian religion course, course with fees that exceed amount set by Chancellor If a student takes an ineligible course, the family may be responsible for the payment of the course and the textbooks for the course at full tuition cost. Please consult with your high school counselor and the university to make sure compliance is met regarding allowable classes. Parent/Guardian Signature Student Signature

ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY

ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY William Carter, Director of Admission College Hall 140. MSC 128. Extension 2315. Texas A&M University-Kingsville adheres to high standards of academic excellence and admits