BOARD POLICY 343.42

343.42     -     Postsecondary Enrollment Options (Youth Options Program)

Any School District of Fort Atkinson student enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade, who is not attending a technical college as a student at risk under 118.15(11)(b), Wisconsin Statutes, may enroll in an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) for the purpose of taking one or more nonsectarian courses. 

The student participating in the postsecondary enrollment options program may take a postsecondary course during or after regular school hours, if available, meeting statute-specified requirements.

The School District of Fort Atkinson shall determine if the postsecondary course may be awarded high school credit based on criteria specified in Wisconsin Administrative Rules. The instructor from the postsecondary institution will administer the grade for the student. In certain situations, it may be necessary for the high school administrator to determine the final grade. All coursework and final grades will be recorded on a student’s high school transcript and will be included in the student’s grade point average. The student may appeal the decision of the School District to the state superintendent.

The School District of Fort Atkinson limits payment to the equivalent of 18 postsecondary semester credits for noncomparable courses taken for high school credit, regardless of whether the pupil attended an IHE or technical college (per 2003 Wisconsin Act 131).

The School District of Fort Atkinson shall be responsible for tuition, fees, and books for the postsecondary course if the course at the IHE is taken for high school credit and if the course is not offered at Fort Atkinson High School. The pupil shall be responsible for the cost of equipment and consumables which will become the property of the pupil. Non-consumables textbooks will remain the property of the School District of Fort Atkinson. The parent or guardian of a pupil who is attending an IHE under this chapter and is taking the course for high school credit may apply to the State Superintendent for reimbursement of the cost of transporting the pupil between the high school and the IHE.

All courses need to be completed by the last day of May of the academic year the student enrolled in the course. If a pupil receives a failing grade in a course, or fails to complete a course, for which the School District has made payment, the pupil’s parent or guardian, or the pupil if he or she is an adult, shall reimburse the School District the amount paid on the pupil’s behalf. Failure to reimburse the School District will result in ineligibility for further participation in the program and denial to participate in formal graduation ceremonies. Under extraordinary circumstances the administrator of the high school may grant an extension to students not able to complete course work by the last day of May.  

Legal Ref.:     Sections 118.15(11)(b), 118.37 and 227.11(2)(a), Wisconsin Statutes