ECollege Credit Update

3:00 p.m.

Background Information:

KPBSD Students can currently earn dual high school and college credits in a variety of ways:

• Through the "Jump Start" partnership with KPC;
• Through our new pilot program and partnership with KPC called "The Concurrent Credit Program."  (Currently being piloted at SoHi with one of our Language Arts Teachers.  Students enroll in the college course and receive instruction at SoHi from a KPBSD Teacher with Adjunct Faculty status at KPC);
• Through taking an approved "Tech Prep." course through UAA or KPC. (Approved CTE courses taught at our high schools by our teachers that match the course indicators of requisite college courses); or
• Independent enrollment in a college course from any accredited college/university (these are typically online/remote enrollments).

The relevant policies are BP 6180 Program Adaptations/Alternative Arrangements and AR 6180 Dual Credit Guidelines.  The college course needs to be at least a 3 credit course at or above the 100 level.  NOTE: KPBSD practice has been to issue a .5 semester credit for 3 semester credit college courses. We have recently learned of a trend in and out of state where district's are awarding a full 1.0 credit (year credit) for any 3 semester 100 level or higher college course.  The Anchorage, Mat-Su, and Galena (IDEA Correspondence Program) school districts currently award a full 1.0 credit for 3 credit college courses.

The KPBSD Instructional Team is considering a recommendation to level the playing field for our students and follow suit with awarding 1.0 full credit for 3 credit college courses that are 100 level or higher.  This will have implications on the potential for students to meet graduation requirements earlier and potentially impact the senior year and early graduation.  We are in the process of having discussions concerning this with high school principals, counselors, teachers, and other stakeholders.

This could potentially allow for a redesign of the senior year to be geared more towards the personalized needs of each individual student.  Senior year could include full/part time college/dual credit attendance, internship based experiences with community/industry partners, a "traditional" senior year if needed, or any combination that meets the personalized needs of each student.

We will have time during this work session for questions from the board and to discuss next steps as they relate to dual high school and college credit opportunities for our students.