SYLVANIA SCHOOLS

POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS

HANDBOOK

 

GUIDANCE RESOURCE BOOKLET FOR
STUDENTS AND PARENTS

 

 

Sylvania Schools

Brad Rieger, Superintendent

Scott Nelson, Assistant Superintendent
Jennifer Kogut, Executive Director of Curriculum and Assessment

 

Northview High School	Southview High School
Stewart Jesse Principal   Julie Sanford Assistant Principal   Amanda Ogren Assistant Principal	David McMurray Principal   Dave Minard Assistant Principal   Kevin Rupp Assistant Principal

 

 

OHIO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CHAPTER   3301-4

POST SECONDARY OPTIONS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

If you are Sylvania High School student, the Post-Secondary Options program provides you with an opportunity to take classes at eligible post-secondary institutions.  These institutions include community colleges, post-secondary vocational technical institutions, state universities, and many private colleges and universities.  Post-secondary institutions typically require a minimum 3.0 GPA to enroll.

 

The purpose of the program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wider variety of options to high school students.   The intent of Post-Secondary Options is not to replace already existing courses at Sylvania High Schools, rather to enhance the curriculum.

 

You and your parents may have several questions about this program.  This guide can help answer some of them.  For more help in deciding whether this opportunity is right for you, check with your guidance counselor or principal.

 

OVERVIEW

 

 

PROGRAM ABSTRACT

 

The Post-Secondary Options program permits high school students in grades nine through twelve to earn college and high school graduation credit through the successful completion of college courses.

 

Option A:       The student may elect, at the time of enrollment, to receive post-secondary

                        credit from the college for the course(s) he/she takes at college.

 

Option B:        The student may elect at the time of enrollment for each course to receive

                        college and high school credit for the course toward fulfilling the

                        graduation requirement of his/her school district.

 

By March 1 of each year the district will notify students and their parents of the program and the options available.  Students will inform school officials of their intent to participate, by March 30, on the Notification of Intent to Participate in Post-Secondary Options Program form.  Counseling services will be provided to eighth through eleventh grade students and their parents/guardians prior to participation in the Post-Secondary Options Program.  Students/parents must sign the Parent/Student Acknowledgement form indicating that appropriate counseling was provided and all responsibilities for participation are understood and accepted each year of participation.

 

      1.   Responsibility for costs incurred by the district if the student drops out of college/university 
            or drops a course:

                       

                  The district will recover from the student/parent all costs incurred by 
                  the district when and if a student fails to complete a college course, 
                  whether through a formal “class drop” process or non-attendance, 
                  other than for the reasons listed in Policy 2271. Diplomas will be held 
                  until payment is received.

 

      2.   Awarding of credit(s):

                       

                  College courses for which five semester hours (seven and one-half 
                  quarter hours) of credit are earned will be awarded one (1) Carnegie 
                  Unit. Fractional Carnegie Units will be awarded proportionately.

 

      3.   Participation in the high school graduation ceremony:

 

                  Graduation requirements should be completed prior to graduation to 
                  participate in the graduation ceremony.  However, the student may 
                  participate in the ceremonies if he/she is enrolled in college/university 
                  where the academic term ends after the high school's graduation 
                  ceremony is over, with the recommendation of the high school principal.
                  The student will then receive his/her diploma upon completion of all 
                  high school graduation requirements.

 

 

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS…

 

 

 

 

      1.     There are two options related to the type of credit that you elect at the time of

            your enrollment in a college course.  Option A allows you to choose to receive

            post-secondary (college) credit only.  Option B allows you to choose to receive

            high school credit and post-secondary credit.

 

      2.   By March 1, in the years that you are an eighth, ninth, tenth or eleventh grade

            student, your high school will provide you and your parents with general

            information about the program.

 

      3.   You and your parents should ask the high school for counseling assistance.

 

      4.   By March 30, you must notify your high school if you intend to participate

            in the program for the following year.  If, for some reason, you change your

            decision about participating after March 30, you should notify your district

            immediately. After March 30, if you have not notified your high school and

            you wish to participate, you will need special permission from your school

            district superintendent.

 

      5.   Before you enroll in any courses, you and your parents must sign a statement

            indicating that you received information about the program and are aware of your

            responsibilities regarding the program.

 

      6.   You must be admitted by an eligible post-secondary institution.  The post-

            secondary institution you want to attend will have special entrance requirements

            you must meet before you can take courses there.

 

      7.   You will have to decide whether to take a course for secondary (high school) and

            post-secondary (college) credit or for post-secondary credit only.  If you take

            more than one course, you may take some for post-secondary credit only (Option

            A) and some for secondary and post-secondary credit (Option B).

 

      8.   Your high school determines the number of high school credits you receive for

            post-secondary courses taken for secondary credit.  If you disagree with the

            decision, you may appeal to the State Board of Education.

 

      9.   If you choose to take the course for post-secondary credit only (Option A),
you will pay for the cost of tuition, textbooks, materials and fees.

 

      10. If you choose to take the course for secondary and post-secondary credit
(Option B), the cost of tuition, textbooks, materials and fees will be paid
for you.  You may need to pay for equipment which you keep, such as tools
or calculators.  You will receive post-secondary credit from the institution
where you took the courses.  If you decide to enroll in another post-secondary
institution, you may request the institution to transfer these credits.

 

      11. If you are eligible to graduate from high school early, you still can participate in 
            this program for the rest of your senior year.  An early graduate is a student who 
            has completed the graduation requirements before the normal period of time.

 

      12. You may apply to your local school district to be reimbursed for transportation

            expenses you incur under the program if you are eligible for free or reduced price

            lunches.  No funds are available for room and board.

 

 

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE PROGRAM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before you decide to participate in the program, you and your parents should consider the following points:

 

Future Plans:  If you plan well, this program can assist you in making future education and career decisions and in exploring post-secondary education opportunities.

 

High School Graduation:  Even if you participate in this program, you still must meet your high school graduation requirements in order to earn a high school diploma.  Review the requirements and your academic standing with your high school counselor or principal.  Make sure that the number and types of courses you take will meet local graduation requirements.  You should keep in mind that the grades you earn in post-secondary courses may affect your grade point average, and may affect your eligibility to graduate, and scholarship opportunities.

 

Scheduling:  Participating in this program on a part-time basis means that you must schedule classes at your high school and at a post-secondary institution.  Yearly schedules and vacation times usually are different between the two.  Sometimes it may be difficult or impossible to take the courses you want at both schools because of scheduling conflicts.

 

College-level Work:  You may find college-level classes to be more accelerated and academically challenging than high school courses.  You need to be able to work without supervision and have self-discipline both academically and socially. Be sure you are ready for these responsibilities.

 

Transportation:  If you attend classes at both a high school and post-secondary institution, you need to think about transportation between the two schools.  Be sure you can make arrangements to get to classes on time.

 

Extracurricular Activities:  If you take part in this program, you will not be in your high school full-time.  Eligibility requirements, as set forth by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, state:  “Grades 9-12:  To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled in school and have received passing grades in a minimum of five one credit courses, or the equivalent, in the immediately preceding grading period."  High school credits are measured by Carnegie units.  Post-Secondary Options courses or a combination of PSO and high school courses must equal four Carnegie units for the student to maintain eligibility.  (7-1/2 quarter hours or 5 semester hours – 1 Carnegie unit).  You may not be able to participate in some high school activities as a result of your enrollment in post-secondary courses.

 

PROGRAM ADVANTAGES

The program could benefit you in several ways:

 

·         You have the opportunity to take courses that may not be offered
 by your high school.

·         You have a chance to experience college-level work and college life
 prior to making a final decision about post-secondary education.

·         You can take classes that academically challenge you or that cover
 areas of particular interest to you.

·         You and your parents can use this opportunity to involve your high
 school counselor or principal in your education and career planning.

·         You can take college courses and receive both secondary (high school)
 and post-secondary (college credits).

 

POTENTIAL RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES

These are some possible disadvantages to participating in this program:

 

·         You will have an increased responsibility for learning.

·         You could have increased financial obligations for your education 
      if your choose Option A or if your college course requires special
      tools or equipment.  Participation may decrease the time you have
      available for part-time employment.

                        ·         You may have reduced opportunities or time for participating in 
                              high school activities (athletics, music, band, etc.).  Eligibility 
                              requirements must be monitored by the student.  Assistance 
                              may be obtained from the athletic director upon request.

                        ·         Your grades in your college course(s) could affect your high school 
                              grade point average and class standing which also could affect 
                              scholarship opportunities.  Grades will be averaged at the next grading 
                              period following their receipt by the high school. 

·         You will need to plan for increased time needed to travel to and from
post-secondary institutions and increased time for study. 

·         Due to different school year schedules you may not be eligible to
participate in your graduation ceremony.  Graduation requirements
should be completed prior to graduation to participate in the graduation
ceremony.  However, the student may participate in the ceremonies if
he/she is enrolled in a college/university where the academic term ends
after the high school graduation ceremony is over, with the recommendation
of the high school principal.  The student will then receive his/her diploma
upon completion of all high school graduation requirements. 

·         There is no guarantee that you will get the courses that you want. 

·         If you fail or withdraw from a college course it may affect the credits you
need to graduate from high school. 

·         If you withdraw from a course, your parents pay the costs of the course. 
The district will recover from the student/parent all costs incurred by the
district when and if a student fails to complete a college course, whether
through a formal “class drop” process or nonattendance other than for
reasons in Policy 2271. 

·         Not all college credit may transfer to other colleges and universities,
i.e., some may not accept credit taken as high school and college
(Option B). Check with colleges in advance.

 

 

STEPS TO FOLLOW

 

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in participating in the program, you will want to talk to your parents, your high school counselor, and a representative of the post-secondary institution you plan to attend.  Do this as far in advance of your possible post-secondary enrollment as possible.  Remember you need to notify your district of your intent to participate, by March 30, if you plan to enroll next year.   Follow this process each time you enroll in post-secondary courses.

 

      1.   Discuss your plans with your parents.

 

      2.      Attend the Post Secondary meeting in February to receive all the information.
Attendance at this meeting is mandatory for participation in the program.

 

      3.   After the decision is made to participate, you must turn in the intent form to
your counselor. This does not solidify your participation in the program.
You still must inform your counselor of your decision.

 

      4.   During scheduling, you must sign up for the required number of classes for the
following year. No matter what, you MUST take 2 full classes at your high
school each semester. (After a schedule from the university is reviewed and
accepted at your high school, a final schedule will be created with your counselor).

 

      5.   Complete the necessary post-secondary admission and registration forms. 
You must see your counselor to obtain these forms.

 

      6.   After you have completed the forms, please bring a stamped, addressed envelope
to your counselor. This will be sent to the college you chose with a copy of your
official transcript. YOU CANNOT SCHEDULE AT THE UNIVERSITY
UNTIL THIS IS COMPLETE.

 

      7.   Once you receive your acceptance at the university, please inform your counselor
of your plans. At this time, you must follow the instructions of the university you
attend. They will guide you through orientation, scheduling and classes.

 

      8.   After you have scheduled at the university, it is imperative that you bring a copy
of your college schedule to your counselor. Until that is processed, you will still
be registered for high school classes. If you have a schedule conflict, you must
be able to work it out between the college and high school.

 

      9.   If you have any changes in your schedule, you must bring it to your counselor.

            The schedule process must be followed each semester of college enrollment.

 

      10. Any deviation from this procedure could jeopardize your enrollment in either

            college or high school courses. Please be sure to keep in contact with your

            counselor.

 

 

WITHDRAWAL

 

If you decide you will no longer participate in the program before the term has ended, you must file withdrawal forms with the post-secondary institution and meet with your high school counselor to develop a new course schedule.  Failure to file the necessary forms may result in a failing grade.  WITHDRAWAL FROM THE POST-SECONDARY COURSE MAY RESULT IN A FINANCIAL OBLIGATION FOR YOUR PARENTS.   The district will recover, from the student/parent, all costs incurred by the district when and if a student fails to complete a college course whether through a formal “class drop” process or nonattendance other than for reasons listed in Policy 2271.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

This guide should have helped answer some of your questions about the Post-Secondary Options program.  Think carefully about the advantages the program gives you and your decision to participate.  Talk it over with your parents.  If you have more questions, see your guidance counselor.