3301-44-03 Information and counseling.

(A) The chief administrator of a nonpublic school wishing to participate in the post-secondary enrollment options program shall notify the Ohio department of education by the first day of April prior to the school year in which the school’s students will participate.

(B) Each school district, community school, or participating nonpublic school shall provide information about the post-secondary enrollment options program to all students enrolled in grades eight through eleven and to their parents prior to the first day of March.

(C) The information provided to students and their parents by school districts, community schools and participating nonpublic schools shall include:

(1) Program eligibility, including:

(a) Freshman status as locally determined;

(b) Acceptance by college.

(2) Program options, including:

(a) Enrollment in college courses for college credit, or both high school graduation and college credit; and

(b) Financial arrangements for tuition, books, materials, and fees for each option.

(D) A student or the student’s parent shall inform the district board of education, the governing authority of a community school, or the nonpublic school administrator by the thirtieth day of March of the student’s intent to participate in the post-secondary enrollment options program. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility to participate in the program during the next academic school year without permission of the district superintendent, the governing authority of a community school, or the nonpublic school administrator.

(E) School districts and participating community schools and nonpublic schools shall provide counseling services, after the thirtieth day of March, to students in grades eight through eleven and to their parents. Such counseling services must be provided before any student may participate in the program to ensure that students and parents are fully aware of the advantages, possible risks and consequences of participation. Counseling information shall include without limitation:

(1) Program eligibility, including:

(a) Freshman status as locally determined;

(b) Acceptance by college. In considering the admission of any secondary student, a college shall give priority to its other students regarding enrollment in courses. However, once a student has been accepted in a course as a participant, the institution shall not displace the participant for another student.

(2) The options required by section 3365.04 of the Revised Code;

(3) Financial arrangements for tuition, books, materials, and fees;

(4) The process for granting academic credits;

(5) Criteria for any transportation aid;

(6) Available support services;

(7) Scheduling;

(8) The consequences of failing or not completing a course in which the student enrolls and the effect of the grade attained in the course being included in the student’s grade point average, if applicable;

(9) The effect of program participation on the student’s ability to complete the district’s, community school’s, or nonpublic school’s graduation requirements;

(10) The academic and social responsibilities of students and parents under the program;

(11) Information about and encouragement to use the counseling services of the college in which the student intends to enroll;

(12) Information confirming the fact that students can take college courses at no cost;

(13) Encouragement to all students who have the ability to undertake college work, especially gifted students, to seriously consider the program.

(F) The chief administrator of any participating nonpublic school shall provide counseling to students in grades eight through eleven and to their parents before the students participate in the program, to ensure that they and their parents are aware of the possible risks and consequences of participation.

(1) Such counseling shall include explaining the fact that funding may be limited and that not all students who wish to participate may be able to do so and the effect of program participation on the student’s ability to complete the and nonpublic school’s graduation requirements.

(2) Participating nonpublic schools shall provide students and their parents with a form which shall be signed as an indication that they have received the counseling required and that they understand the responsibilities they must assume in the post-secondary enrollment options program.

(G) The school district, community school, or participating nonpublic school shall provide the student and the student’s parent with a form which shall be signed as an indication that they have received the counseling required by paragraph (E) of this rule and that they understand the responsibilities they must assume in the post-secondary enrollment options program.

(H) A student may not enroll in any specific college course through the program if the student has taken high school courses in the same subject area as that college course and has failed to attain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on 4.0 scale or the equivalent in such completed high school courses. The “same subject area” determination rests with the post-secondary institution.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 02/24/2006 and 02/24/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3301.07, 3365.02

Rule Amplifies: 3365.02, 3365, 021

Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/90, 2/24/98, 6/4/01