Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSO)

Definition  The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program enables 9th-12th grade students to enroll on a full- or part-time basis in nonsectarian courses at any state-assisted college, university, or any institution holding a certificate of authorization to award degrees, issued by the Ohio Board of Regents.

Option A  Option A allows the public high school student to elect to be responsible for all tuition and associated costs, as well as whether to receive college credit OR high school and college credit.

Option B  Option B allows the public high school student to elect at the time of enrollment for each course to have the college reimbursed by the public school’s state foundation funds. Students will not be required to pay for tuition, books, and fees.

Who is Eligible?  Freshman to Senior status as locally determined  Acceptance by college  Students must have a 3.0 grade point average in school in the subject area they wish to take at the post-secondary institution

The Process for Granting Credit  Colleges will award full college credit for successfully completed college courses (transfer of the course(s) may be an issue)  Board of Education will award student high school credit for successfully completed college courses under Option B and if elected under Option A  Effect of grades earned in college courses for which high school graduation credit is awarded upon a student’s GPA shall be determined by the Board of Education

The Process for Granting Credit  4 or 5 semester hour course will equal 1 credit at Northwood High School  3 semester hour course will equal 1/2 credit at Northwood High School  1 or 2 semester hour course will equal 1/4 credit at Northwood High School  A student cannot earn more than 7 Carnegie Units between his or her HS and college courses per year

The Process of Granting Credit  High School credit will be awarded toward both the graduation and subject area requirements of the school district Comparable courses/credit Similar Subject areas/credit - NO Physical Education Mediation of disputes by State Board of Education

Potential Benefits  Expands the curriculum available to students  Provides opportunities for students to study “in-depth” those areas of special interest or need  Allows students to earn college credit while in high school

Potential Benefits  Provides for financial support for taking college courses for high school credit  Allows students to experience college- level work/life prior to making final decisions about whether and/or where to attend college

Potential Risks and Consequences  Increased responsibility for learning  Reduced opportunities for participating in high school activities  Failure to complete the course (by either class-drop, withdraw, lack of attendance, or earning a failing grade) will result in all financial obligations for that course defaulting to the student or the parents of that student

Potential Risks and Consequences  Possible effects on GPA and class standing  Increased time for travel, study, etc.  The possibility of exposure to adult content and information (social discomfort)  Increased travel time to and from school

Academic/Social Responsibility  Students at the college level are usually held to a higher degree of responsibility by instructors than students in high school.  Attendance in college is totally up to the individual student. Parents will NOT receive notification if the student does not report to class.  Grades in a college class are often determined by as few as one to three exams.

Academic/Social Responsibility  College instructors do not mail home progress reports  College instructors deal directly with students, not parents, when a concern arises  If a student attending a college class needs help or assistance they often can only speak with the instructor during the instructors scheduled office hours  Students who need support services while participating in PSO should utilize the available support services at the institution they are attending.

Financial Arrangements Restrictions  Under Option A all financial responsibilities rest with the student/parent  Under option B payment for tuition will be paid directly out of the public school’s state foundation funds. The college will furnish and not require payment for fees and textbooks (college may require students to return all books and materials - failure to do so may result in the college billing the student and or the student’s parents)

Financial Arrangements Restrictions  If the superintendent determines that the participant has not attained a passing final grade in a college course which the participant was enrolled under Option B, the superintendent shall seek reimbursement from the participant or the participant’s parents for the amount of state funds paid to the college on behalf of the participant for that college course. The district may withhold grades and credits until the financial obligation is met.  No financial aid under Chapter 3351 of the Ohio Revised Code is permitted to students enrolled in college courses for high school credit.

Scheduling  No high school gradation requirement may be waived for any student as a result of participating in this program.  Scheduling conflicts are not the responsibility of the school district.  Other issues relevant to scheduling will vary from district to district, and should be identified as appropriate

Scheduling  College School year schedule will be different than Northwood High Schools schedule. Many times Christmas and Spring Breaks do no coincide and therefore you may have to forfeit your vacation plans.  Some colleges may limit the number of classes as well as not allow PSO students to register until after other students have registered.

Scheduling/Eligibility  Students enrolled part-time on a college campus must earn 6 credits between their PSO and Northwood High School courses.  Athletes must still meet OHSAA eligibility requirements. Full-time PSO students may not have enough classes to meet this requirement.

Consequences of Failing  Grade Point Average  Ineligibility to participate in student activities  Failure to meet district graduation requirements in a timely manner No high school graduation requirements may be waived for any student participating in PSO  Financial obligation  Others, varying from district to district

College Admissions  UT 12th GPA/25 ACT/Passed all OGT’s - 12 cr hrs/semester max 11th GPA/25 ACT/Passed all OGT’s - 12 cr hrs max 9th & 10th GPA - max 1 course  BGSU 11th & 12th GPA 9th & 10th GPA - max 1 course

College Admissions  Owens 3.0 GPA in subject area of Course Test into College level Reading through either the ACT or Compass Test Test into either College level English or Math through the ACT or Compass Test

Responsibilities of Students and Parents/Guardians for Participation  Attend PSO meeting  Return Intent to Participate Form by March 1st  Obtain Application Materials  Meet all requirements/deadlines for college admissions/courses  Register for college courses/adjust Northwood High School schedule  Arrange for transportation  Meet attendance/course requirements