Running Start Updates

1. Running Start Updates School Counselor Summer Institute June 26-27, 2013

2. Agenda • RS Enrollment Profile & Trends • Current Policies & Forms Review • Clarification: Home-based Instruction • Addressing Disproportionality • Resources • Questions & Answers

3. RS Enrollment Profile & Trends

4. RS– Number of Schools (2010–2012)

5. RS– Number of Students (2010–2012)

6. RS– Percentage of Eligible Students (2010–2012)

7. RS– % by Free/Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility (2010–2012)

8. Additional findings • More than 1,401 students completed an associate degree or certificate at the same time as they graduated from high school. • Over 1/2 of Running Start students (10,383) took at least one online course in 2010–11. • SBCTC 2010−11 data reports that a typical Running Start student takes 11 credits in a quarter. • 57 percent of Running Start students enrolled full-time in fall 2010. • 15 percent of Running Start students receive waivers from the colleges from fees, indicating low income.

9. Current Policies & Forms Review

10. OSPI Bulletin 067-12 Reporting Home-Based and Private School Students in CEDARS

11. OSPI Bulletin 033-12 2012-13 Running Start Updates on 1.2 FTE Limitation

12. Attachments to Bulletin 033-12 • Attach A - Clarifying Guidance on the 1.20 Running Start Full-Time Enrollment (FTE) Limitation • Attach B1 - Running Start Enrollment Verification Form • Attach B2 - Completing the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form • Attach C1 - 2012–13 Spring Quarter Eligibility Adjustment Form • Attach C2 - Completing the Spring Quarter Eligibility Adjustment • Form (SQEAF)

13. The Running Start Enrollment Verification FormAttachment B1

14. The Running Start Spring Quarter Eligibility Adjustment FormAttachment C1

15. Using the Calculators Highlights: • Form has Excel worksheet • Double-click FTE Table to activate • Insert FTE values for known months

16. Changes in the Works • RSEVF • Space to identify HS term • Create a check box to indicate SQEAF attached • Create a check box for 12+ eligibility doc attached • SQEAF – correcting calculator • 12+ Eligibility documentation form • Summer 2013 OSPI Running Start Updates Bulletin

17. One Credit Tuition Waiver SBCTC: Resolution 11-6-35 Authorizes a one-credit tuition waiver for Running Start students taking exactly 0.6 FTE at the high school and 10 credits at the college

18. Low Income Tuition Waiver SBCTC: Resolution 11-09-51 Approved a Running Start tuition waiver for low income students that exceed a combined high school and college enrollment of 1.2 FTE

19. Low Income Fee Waiver RCW 28A.600.310 Requires colleges to waive mandatory college and/or student voted fees for eligible low-income Running Start students.

20. Clarification: Home-based Instruction& Running Start

21. May home-school students enroll in Running Start? • Yes. Junior or senior standing is determined in accordance with a school district’s grade placement policies.

22. How is junior/senior standing determined for home-based students? For students seeking admission to Running Start, it is the responsibility of the common school district to establish grade placement criteria. Some schools consider age appropriateness; others review credits and prior learning. In other cases, a standardized achievement test may be used in the absence of adequate documentation of a student’s home-based education. Any district criteria used to establish grade placement must be applied uniformly to students, regardless of intent to enroll in Running Start or of intent to graduate from the high school.

23. Can parents appeal local grade placement decisions? This is a local decision. Parents may appeal only if the district has a policy/procedure for such appeal. See WAC 392-169-020(3).

24. Can an unused college quarter be carried over into the next year? No. Junior year eligibility would be complete. However, the student would be eligible for the three quarters of 12th grade and may be eligible for the second-year senior year. WAC 392-169-055(4) Running Start eligibility is not based on six quarters. It is based on two academic years for junior and senior standing only.

25. Does the school district need to post the Running Start college credit to CEDARS? Yes. All earned credit must be recorded on an official school transcript.

26. Who establishes 12+ eligibility for home-based students? The school district. The decision should be based upon a determination of specific, remaining graduation requirements for the student to earn a diploma through the district establishing eligibility.

27. Disproportionality Special thanks to Rep. Tina Orwalls’ interns, Sophia Sidhu, and Mijae Jung for their research and advocacy for those who have not been served equitably by our efforts to date.

28. RS– percentage by Student Gender (2010–2012)

29. RS– percentage by Student Ethnicity (2010–2012)

30. Running Start and College Running Start students are less ethnically diverse than community and technical college students in general.

31. Comparison with Other Dual Credit Programs • When contrasted with the other eight comparable dual-credit programs, Running Start ranks: • 2nd to last in both the percentage of African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino student enrollment. • 3rd to last in Asian/Pacific Islander student enrollment • 4th to last in the percentage of American Indian student enrollment • 1st in the largest enrollment of White students out of all the dual degree programs. • When contrasted with other six comparable dual-credit programs, Running Start ranks 2nd in highest percentage of enrolled low-income students

32. Importance • Why it’s important • Access to higher education • Better jobs, incorporation into the workforce • Less reliance on state welfare programs • Why now? • Funding for higher education is depleting • Access to college education threatened for low-income students of color • Imperative to act now so that pathways to a college education are effective and inclusive for all.

33. What are the barriers? According to Counselors, Running Start Coordinators, and School Administrators… (Responses from 71 school admins)

34. What are the barriers (con’t.)? According to students… (Responses from 45 students) • Lack of information from high school admins • Transportation • Running Start is not advertised or discussed • Cost “Teachers/counselors make it seem like it’s only for smart kids.” - Student

35. Suggestions What can School Administrators, School Counselors, teachers, and Policymakers do to reduce barriers faced by low-income students/students of color?

36. Educator Suggestions According to Counselors, Running Start Coordinators, and School Administrators… • Reduce cost (fees in particular) • Not losing FTE funding to colleges • Outreach to minority groups • Have mentors, advisors, buddy system • Early intervention • Change culture among School Administrators

37. Student Suggestions • More information and clarification from School Administrators • Peer support • Transportation/Cost • Outreach “Advertise and explain that it is free.”- student

38. Resources • OSPI Running Start Web Page • SBCTC Running Start Web Page

41. Questions & Answers

42. Contacts • Becky McLean – OSPI, Supervisor becky.mclean@k12.wa.us– 360 725-6306 • Mike Hubert – OSPI, Director mike.hubert@k12.wa.us– 360 725-0415 • Scott Copeland – SBCTC, Policy Associate scopeland@sbctc.edu – 360 704-4397 • Jim West – WSAC, Associate Director jimw@wsac.wa.gov - 360 753-7890