DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of the Secretary

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §122(d)

506 Policies for Dual Enrollment and Awarding Dual Credit

A. TYPE OF REGULATORY ACTION REQUIRED

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECT MATTER OF THE REGULATION

Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§122(b)(3), 122(b)(8), 181, and 183, the Delaware Department of Education ("Department"), including the Delaware Higher Education Office, developed amendments to 14 DE Admin. Code 506 Dual Enrollment and Awarding Dual Credit. The regulation requires public schools to develop policies concerning dual enrollment in a high school and postsecondary institution and awarding dual credit. This regulation was reviewed pursuant to 29 Del.C. §10407, which requires regulations to be reviewed on a recurring basis every four years. The proposed amendments include changes that align with existing practice, updating definitions and terminology, and removing references to Tech Prep courses which no longer exist. Other proposed changes are grammatical in nature and are made to ensure compliance with the Delaware Administrative Code Drafting and Style Manual.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by submitting them to the Department of Education, Office of the Secretary, Attn: Regulation Review, 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, Delaware 19901 or through the Department's online submission form at https://education.delaware.gov/community/delaware-education-laws-and-regulations/provide-public-comment/ by the close of business (4:30 p.m. EST) on or before January 3, 2023. Any person who wishes to receive a copy of the proposed regulation may obtain a copy from the Department at the Office of the Secretary on the second floor of the Townsend Building, 401 Federal Street, Dover, Delaware.

C. IMPACT CRITERIA

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amended regulation does not specifically address the improvement of student achievement as measured against state achievement standards.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amended regulation will help ensure all students receive an equitable education.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' health and safety are adequately protected? The amended regulation does not specifically address students' health and safety.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The amended regulation continues to help ensure that all students' legal rights are respected.

5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level? The amended regulation does not change the decision making at the local board and school level.

6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amended regulation does not place any unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates on decision makers.

7. Will the decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The amended regulation does not change the decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated.

8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The amended regulation is consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies.

9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation? There is no less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the amended regulation.

10. What is the cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the regulation? There are no material costs to implementing this amended regulation.

506 Policies for Dual Enrollment and Awarding Dual Credit

The Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§122(b)(3), 122(b)(8), 181, and 183, the purpose of this regulation is to ensure all reorganized local school districts, including vocational technical school districts and charter schools have policies regarding dual enrollment and the awarding of dual credit to promote consistency and equity across the state.

For purposes of this regulation the definitions in 14 DE Admin. Code 505 apply. Additional definitions for purposes of this regulation include the following: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning:

“Accredited Postsecondary Institution” means a regionally an accredited higher education institution, including any in-state and out-of-state college or university, alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification programs approved by the Delaware Secretary of Education and authorized to operate in Delaware, and adult education career training/registered apprenticeship programs.

“Articulation Agreement” means the agreement between the Accredited Postsecondary Institution accredited postsecondary institution and school district, school or charter school that specifies, at a minimum, student eligibility and participation requirements, the course syllabus, the expected course competencies, grading policy, attendance policy, and conditions for awarding Dual Credit dual credit. Further provided, student eligibility and participation requirements shall be based on multiple indicators of readiness such as, but not limited, to that may include a combination of tests, course grades, teacher recommendations or portfolios.

“Dual Credit” means the credit awarded at both the high school and postsecondary levels.

"Dual Credit Course" means a course for which a student may receive both high school credit towards graduation and postsecondary credit. The course may be taken in a variety of settings such as in a high school, on a postsecondary institution campus, or electronically. Examples of a dual credit course include Advanced Placement (AP) or "AP", International Baccalaureate (IB) and Tech Prep courses or "IB".

“Dual Enrollment” means simultaneous enrollment in both a high school and an Accredited Postsecondary Institution accredited postsecondary institution.

“Dual Enrollment Course” means a course for which a student may receive both high school credit towards graduation and postsecondary credit while simultaneously registered at both the high school and the Accredited Postsecondary Institution accredited postsecondary institution.

“Dual Enrollment Instructor” or “Instructor” means an individual teaching a Dual Enrollment Course who meets the requirements of a faculty member or adjunct faculty member at the credit granting Accredited Postsecondary Institution.

“Principal or principal’s designee” or "Principal's Designee" means the person at the high school the local school district board of education or superintendent, or charter school board, if applicable, assigns who is assigned to approve the courses that may result in credit for that high school.

"Student Success Plan" means a written plan which sets postsecondary goals based on a student's career interest.

3.1 Local school School districts and secondary charter schools shall develop policies for Dual Enrollment dual enrollment and the awarding of Dual Credit dual credit that at a minimum meet the following criteria:

3.1.1 All courses for which dual credit is awarded shall incorporate any applicable state content standards;

3.1.2 All courses for which dual credit is awarded shall be taken at or through an Articulation Agreement articulation agreement with an Accredited Postsecondary Institution accredited postsecondary institution except for AP or IB courses;

3.1.3 All students shall be provided information regarding dual enrollment and the awarding of dual credit opportunities;

3.1.4 Those students All eligible students, as determined in the Articulation Agreement articulation agreement, shall have access to dual credit and dual enrollment courses;

3.1.5 Funding sources such as Tech Prep, College Board waivers or other grants shall be identified as well as the procedures for applying and the procedures for the awarding of such funds or waivers. No student shall be denied access to dual credit or dual enrollment courses because of the student’s or family’s inability to pay;

3.1.6 All students shall be notified of any resources to help pay for dual enrollment courses;

3.1.6 3.1.7 Students shall have multiple points of access for dual credit and dual enrollment course(s) courses including, but not limited to, course(s) courses offered on the high school campus, course(s) courses offered on the postsecondary institution campus, course(s) courses offered online, or a combination of any of the above;

3.1.8 Any school district seeking to contract with an out-of-state institution to offer dual credit courses shall seek an institutional review by the Delaware Higher Education Office prior to executing the contract;

3.1.7 3.1.9 All courses for which Dual Credit dual credit is awarded through an Accredited Postsecondary Institution accredited postsecondary institution shall be taught by an approved Dual Credit Instructor dual credit instructor;

3.1.8 3.1.10 Any course that offers Dual Credit dual credit shall have the prior approval for the awarding of Dual Credit dual credit by the principal or the principal’s designee of the high school in which the credit is to be awarded; and

3.1.9 3.1.11 Dual enrollment and dual credit shall be included in the Student Success Plan (SSP), as required in 14 DE Admin. Code 505, for students electing to participate.

4.1 All Advanced Placement (AP) AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) IB courses used for purposes of Dual Credit dual credit shall meet the requirements of their respective program authorizers.

4.1.1 Postsecondary credit for Advanced Placement AP or IB courses shall be at the discretion of the credit granting Accredited Postsecondary Institution accredited postsecondary institution.

4.2 For Tech Prep courses, the Accredited Postsecondary Institution shall ensure the student’s attainment of competencies as outlined in the Articulation Agreement between the high school and Accredited Postsecondary Institution.

4.3 4.2 All courses for which Dual Credit dual credit is granted shall meet the requirements of the sponsoring Accredited Postsecondary Institution accredited postsecondary institution as outlined in the Articulation Agreement articulation agreement.

5.1 The Each school district and secondary charter school shall indicate on a student’s high school transcript any Dual Enrollment Courses dual enrollment courses taken and any courses for which Dual Credit dual credit has been granted.

6.1 Each public school district and secondary charter school shall have an electronic copy of its current policy for dual enrollment and awarding dual credit on file with the Department of Education.

6.2 Each public school district and secondary charter school shall provide an electronic copy of any dual enrollment and dual credit policy within ninety (90) 90 days of such revision(s) revision including revisions any revisions made as a result of changes to Federal, state or local law, regulations, guidance or policies.

7.1 A secondary charter school that chooses to offer Dual Enrollment or Dual Credit opportunities shall be subject to the provisions of this regulation.