Running Start Student Handbook

Running Start Student Handbook Page 1

Table of Contents What is Running Start?... Page 3 Running Start Enrollment Procedures.. Page 4 Running Start Website Links.... Page 6 College Placement (COMPASS) Test Centers... Page 7 Sumner School District Equivalency Course Guide Links.... Page 8 Running Start Enrollment Verification Form Sample.. Page 9 FTE Credit Limit. Page 10 Running Start Student Diploma Declaration Form Sample.... Page 11 Culminating Portfolio & High School Beyond Plan... Page 13 Running Start Agreement. Page 14 Contact Information Sumner High School: Assigned Counselor... (253) 891-5500 Bonney Lake High School: Assigned Counselor.. (253) 891-5700 Green River Community College.. (253) 833-9111 ext. 2643 or email runningstart@greenriver.edu Highline Community College... (206) 592-3583 Tacoma Community College... (253) 566-6061 or email RunStart@tacomacc.edu Pierce College-Ft. Steilacoom. (253) 964-6705 Pierce College-Puyallup... (253) 840-8431 Clover Park Technical College (253) 589-5701 or email kevin.kildun@cptc.edu Page 2

What is Running Start? This program allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to enroll in courses at community or technical colleges. Students will earn both college credit and high school credit toward graduation. Students may choose to attend college full or part time. Tuition is paid by the school district. Transportation and the cost of books are the responsibility of the student. All community and technical colleges participate in the program. Those in our area are: Green River Community College, Pierce College, Highline Community College, Tacoma Community College, and Bates and Clover Park Technical Colleges. Who is eligible? Students with junior status (10 credits and have met all 10th grade requirements) or senior status (16 credits and have met all 11th grade requirements) at time of enrollment. Students earning college-level reading and writing scores on a college placement test (taken at the college) What are the advantages? An obvious advantage is a financial one. Students earn college credits, but will pay no tuition. Following graduation, some students may be able to complete their college degree in less time, thereby saving money. Some students also find that they are ready for more advanced courses than what the high school offers. Attending college may provide the opportunity to continue on in a subject without waiting for graduation. In addition, some students are attracted to the Running start program because they have a specific career or interest they would like to pursue, but find the high school does not offer courses in that field. This would be another excellent reason to participate in Running Start. Important facts to consider Although most students do quite well, Running Start is not a perfect fit for all students. It requires a student who is independent, self-motivated and responsible. A major difference exists between college and high school courses in the areas of accountability of the student and communication to the parents. Students who enroll at the college are treated as adults. This means that the college holds the student responsible for his or her own success. In addition, the law dictates Page 3

that there can be no communication to the parent regarding progress, grades, or attendance without the written permission of the student. How do I prepare for Running Start? There are no specific courses required to enter the Running Start program. You can prepare simply by taking the most rigorous academic courses your high school offers and/or developing your skills in those areas of interest that you might pursue at the technical or community college. It also helps complete many of your graduation requirements such as P.E., CTE, Fine Arts, before the junior or senior year. How do I get involved? Contact your high school counselor and/or attend running start information meeting. Each of the colleges host an evening information sessions on their campus. Contact the college for dates and times. Students are encouraged to tour college campuses and attend these meetings prior to making a decision to enroll. Running Start Enrollment Procedures 1. New Running Start candidates must take the assessment/placement test (COMPASS) between February and 1 st week in May. For ease of placement, students are encouraged to take the COMPASS test no later than spring break. 2. Contact college to take a college placement test (COMPASS) at the college you plan to attend. You must have picture I.D. with you to test! 3. After taking the assessment, the prospective RS student schedules an appointment with her/her assigned high school counselor. Test results must accompany the student for his/her appointment with the school counselor. (Parent must attend the scheduled Running Start introduction meeting with the student School Counselor will schedule and advertise). 4. After testing, review test results with running start college entrance requirements. Most community and technical skills require college level reading skills and require specific math score and various requirements for a student to take specific math or science courses in the college. 5. Students who plan to graduate with a Sumner School District Diploma must complete the Enrollment Verification Form and agreement form signed by student and parent (see RS Handbook). a. Senior Culminating Portfolio shared in a student-led conference is required. Page 4

b. Sumner School District testing requirements are mandatory. 11 th grade Running Start students must take SBAC and may require a student to miss one or more college classes. c. Students who do not pass the EOC or SBAC will be required to enroll in a state approved alternative class at the student s high school. 6. Students who intend to seek a high school diploma not through SSD, but through the community/technical college, must declare homeschool status and must complete the following: a. Diploma Declaration with parent, student and counselor signature. b. Home school packet completed and returned to Sumner School District. c. Enrollment Verification Form obtained, signed, and submitted at the District Office. d. In order to receive a high school diploma from the college by completing their associate s degree, students must meet college requirements and provide a written request to the college registrar s office. 7. If eligible, turn in your test scores AND your signed Running Start Agreement form to the Guidance Office no later than the first week of May. 8. Schedule an appointment to meet with your high school counselor regarding graduation requirements and Running Start Enrollment Verification Form. 9. Contact the college of your choice to schedule an orientation. At this time you will select your college courses for fall quarter and turn in your Running Start Authorization form. Return to high school counselor with a copy of your college schedule to adjust your high school schedule accordingly. Page 5

Running Start Website Links For more information about Running Start programs near Sumner School District please visit these websites. Bates Technical College: http://www.bates.ctc.edu/runningstart Clover Park Technical College: http://www.cptc.edu/running-start Green River Community College: http://www.greenriver.edu/academics/running-start.htm Highline Community College: http://runningstart.highline.edu/index.php Pierce Community College: http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/dist/runningstart/ Tacoma Community College: http://www.tacomacc.edu/areasofstudy/learningoptions/runningstart/ Page 6

College Placement (COMPASS) Test Centers Bring your Student ID number (SID) and a picture ID to the Testing Center. Pay COMPASS fees. Fees may vary per school. This assessment is not timed but allow 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Upon completion of the COMPASS you will receive your scores and learn about your next steps. Bates Technical College (253) 680-7264 You will receive a testing schedule at your initial appointment with an advisor, or you can call the Assessment Center at (253) 860-7039. Fee: $19.00. Clover Park Technical College (253) 589-5670 Fee: $19.00. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 2 nd and 4 th Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Green River Community College (253) 833-9111 ext. 2650 No appointment is necessary. Check with enrollment services in the Welcome Center. Fee: $20.00. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm; Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pierce College-Puyallup (253) 840-8343 Call to schedule an appointment. Fee: $20.00. Pierce College-Ft. Steilacoom (253) 964-6521 Call to schedule an appointment. Fee: $20.00. Highline Community College (206) 592-3990 Tests are walk-in only during the Testing Center hours. Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fee: $10.00 for Highline students. For those who want to take the Placement Test but do not plan to attend Highline, the fee is $20.65. Test Score Requirements Contact your college of choice for specific testing requirements. Students earning college-level reading and writing scores on a college placement test (COMPASS) are eligible for Running Start. Math placement is not required to enter a program. However, colleges require college level reading and college level math scores for students to take college level math and science courses on their campus. Page 7

Sumner School District Equivalency Course Guide Links If you are interested in identifying college courses that are equivalent to a high school course, please use the following links. Green River Community College: http://www.greenriver.edu/documents/academic-programs/running-start/sumner-sd-11-12.pdf Pierce Community College: http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/dist/runningstart/ref/files/distequivalents/sumnerschooldistrict _Course%20Equivalents2014.pdf Bates and Clover Park Equivalent Guides will be provided by the technical colleges at the time of appointment. Page 8

Running Start Enrollment Verification Form Sample Page 9

FTE Credit Limit FTE (Full Time Equivalent) is the term used to measure a student s enrollment. FTE at the high school is based on instructional minutes. 300 daily minutes or 1,500 weekly minutes equals 1.00 FTE. For Running Start, FTE is based on college credits. 15 college credits equal 1.00 FTE An AAFTE (Annual Average Full Time Equivalent) represents the annual average total of full-time equivalents for a student enrolled on the nine monthly enrollment count dates of the school year. Running Start students must not exceed a combined high school and college FTE maximum of 1.20 in either the monthly or yearly average calculations or the student will be charged for college tuition. Page 10

Running Start Student Diploma Declaration Form Sample Page 11

Summary of Bill Number: SHB 1758 A community or technical college may issue a high school diploma or certificate as provided under this section: 1. An individual who satisfactorily meets the requirements for high school completion shall be awarded a diploma from the college, subject to rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction and the state board of education. 2. An individual enrolled through Running Start who satisfactorily completes an associate degree, including an associate of arts degree, associate of science degree, associate of technology degree, or associate in applied science degree, shall be awarded a state high school diploma from the college upon written request from the student. (These individuals are not required to complete the State Board of Education s graduation requirements.) 3. An individual, twenty-one years or older, who enrolls in a community or technical college for the purpose of obtaining an associate degree and who satisfactorily completes an associate degree, including an associate of arts degree, associate of science degree, associate of technology degree, or associate in applied science degree, shall be awarded a state high school diploma from the college upon written request from the student. Individuals under this subsection are not eligible for funding provided for K-12 students. (These individuals are not required to complete the State Board of Education s graduation requirements.) Students Requesting a High School Diploma from the College Students must provide a written request to the college registrar s office (or designee) to receive a high school diploma from the college by completing their associate of arts degree, associate of science degree, associate of technology degree, or associate in applied science degree (this may just be a check box on the same form that you use to apply for your college degree). It is clarified that any student who is younger than 21 years old and has been enrolled in Running Start at any time may request a high school diploma from the college upon associate degree completion. This is regardless if they are currently enrolled in RS or not. It is clarified that the individuals over 21 are not eligible for state K-12 funding. Page 12

Culminating Portfolio and High School & Beyond Plan All students who wish to obtain a Sumner School District diploma must meet the following Washington state high school graduation requirements: Credit Requirements, State Assessment Requirements, High School and Beyond Plan, and Culminating Portfolio In Sumner, students develop their High School and Beyond Plans and build their Culminating Portfolio throughout their high school careers. Seniors demonstrate the completion of their High School and Beyond Plan and meet the graduation requirement during student-led conferences in early spring. Senior presentations in May highlight the Culminating Portfolio components, including academic progress tracking and examples of best work; goal setting, career exploration, planning and preparation for the future; and citizenship demonstrated through volunteerism and community service. This includes a requirement of 15 hours of verified community service in the senior year. The Culminating Portfolio and High school & Beyond Plan can be completed by Running Start students in 3 different ways. Options # 1 and #3 listed below will include the completion of Community Service hours and the Presentation in May. Option #1 Students may create an eportfolio and submit all of their Culmination Portfolio items online through the -WOIS (Washington Occupational Information System) Web site. An evening training will be provided in the spring to demonstrate to students how to navigate this system. Option #2 Students may choose to pay for the Culminating Portfolio course at the College. This is typically a 3-credit course offered for one quarter. This course is below the 100 level and therefore not covered by Running Start funding. Option #3 Students may continue to participate in the advisory class at the high school just as they did in the 9th and 10th grades. Page 13

Sumner School District Running Start Agreement To be eligible for high school graduation the student must follow the prescribed courses as mandated by the Sumner School Board. Consult the Sumner School District transfer guide from college carefully when selecting courses. 1. Senior students who wish to participate in graduation ceremonies at their SSD high school must meet all district graduation requirements prior. If extenuating circumstances exist and the senior s only option is to take a college course required for high school graduation during spring quarter of their senior year the student will need prior principal approval. a. If student must take a high school course for graduation, then the student will not participate in graduation ceremonies nor will the diploma be awarded until spring quarter transcripts are received by the SHS/BLHS Registrar. b. However, all Running Start students MUST remain enrolled in classes full time during spring quarter. 2. The Senior Culminating Portfolio and High School and Beyond Plan are a high school graduation requirements and are required of all Running Start students. The responsibility lies with the student to meet all deadlines, seek assistance, etc. Components of the Culminating Portfolio and the High School and Beyond Plan are distributed through the Running Start student mailboxes or through WOIS. It is the student s responsibility to make sure these are met. 3. Transportation and the cost of books and fees are the responsibility of the student. 4. Student attendance and the reporting of progress to parents are the responsibility of the student. As prescribed by state law, the college is not able to inform parents of academic progress or attendance in college courses. The high school will have final grades available at the end of each quarter. These grades will then be posted to the student s transcript. 5. A defined level of success is expected of Running Start students at the community college. In order for Running Start participants to remain eligible for the program, students must make satisfactory academic progress as defined by the academic standards at the institute they attend. Poor academic performance in Running Start, including withdrawing from courses, can negatively impact student aid eligibility in the future. If student is removed from the college Running Start program, then the student will need to schedule an appointment with his/her counselor to enroll in student s high school. a. A student who is removed from college classes may enroll in high school course but will not receive class credits unless he/she complete the entire semester at his/her high school. Page 14

6. It will be assumed that all courses will be completed. Extenuating circumstances must exist to receive approval to withdraw from a course. Grades of Z will be transferred back to the high school as no credit, V, W, and I will transfer back to the high school and a W. 7. The college operates on a quarter system, while the high school operates on the semester system. Holidays and vacation periods will be different. Students are expected to attend classes at the college even though their high school is not in session and vice versa. 8. The student has the responsibility to keep the high school counselor apprised of progress while enrolled in college courses. If at any time a student receives a failing grade, incomplete grade or transfers from a class, it is the student s responsibility to notify the high school counselor, as this may jeopardize the student s eligibility for graduation. 9. Once a high school course has begun, student will not be allowed to withdraw to enroll in college courses. Running Start is a yearlong commitment; which begins in the fall and ends in the spring. Students will receive a full SHS/BLHS schedule in the fall until they have notified their counselor of their college schedule. Please give your counselor a copy of your fall college schedule as soon as possible. 10. All courses taken at the college through Running Start will be included on the high school transcript. 11. The student is responsible for seeking out general information commonly given to students such as graduation, college admissions, testing, scholarships, etc., during times when the student may be taking college courses and not physically on the high school campus. (A student mailbox is provided in the SHS Guidance Office or BLHS Career and Information Center for some of this information, etc.) 12. Close attention to class starting times at the high school should be observed when scheduling college classes. Be certain to allow yourself plenty of time to travel between campuses. Participating in Running Start classes does not excuse tardiness or absences at the high school. a. If you have any business on the high school campus other than your scheduled class times, you are required to check in with the main office as you enter the building. Once your business on campus is completed, you must also check out with that same person. Page 15

13. Running Start students may not attend lunches at SHS/BLHS unless there are exceptional circumstances warranting lunch attendance. These circumstances must be pre-approved by the Principal. During your time in the high school building, you are expected to follow the behavior expectation as listed in the student planner (including appropriate dress code and rules regarding the use of cell phones or other electronic devices). 14. Financial Aid may be affected, for further information contact the college you are planning to attend. 15. The WIAA requires that student athletes be enrolled in a minimum of 2.5 high school credits worth of classes. This is equivalent to 13 college credits taken through running start. I have read, understand and accept the rules provided in this Running Agreement: Student Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Page 16

Bonney Lake High School 10920 199 th Ave. Ct. E. Bonney Lake, WA 98391 Principal: Cris Turner Assistant Principal: Kelsey Anderson Assistant Principal: Anthony Clarke Assistant Principal: Jeff Gardner Assistant Principal: Brian Scheerer Sumner High School 1707 Main St. Sumner, WA 98390 Principal: Bill Gaines Assistant Principal: Jeff Baines Assistant Principal: Brandon Bakke Assistant Principal: Kathleen Meath Non-discrimination Statement The Sumner School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees are designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: District Title IX Coordinator, Section 504/ADA Coordinator or Compliance Coordinator for 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW, in writing at 1202 Wood Avenue, Sumner WA 98390 or by telephone at 253.891.6000. The Sumner School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact the Special Education Director. Mission Statement We believe it is our responsibility to ensure the best education for all of our students. We believe in success for students and staff every day. Page 17