Early College Credit Programby Tahira Chaudhry, DPI In the 2017-19 budget, Wisconsin Act 59 (Act), the department’s Course Options and Youth Options programs were combined into a single program called the Early College Credit Program. Statutorily, this was done by reverting Course Options back to Part-Time Open Enrollment and amending the title of the Youth Options statutes to read “Early College Credit Program.” The Act aims to simplify college credit attainment for high school pupils and school districts. All changes will be effective July 1, 2018. The Course Options statute was reverted to the part-time open enrollment language that existed prior to Course Options. The revised statute allows Wisconsin public high school students to take up to two courses at a time in other Wisconsin public school districts. The part-time open enrollment statute no longer permits students to take courses at colleges, universities, charter schools, or nonprofit organizations. The statute is limited to high school students and does not permit elementary or middle school students to take courses in another district. More information can be found within the revised statute for Part-time Open Enrollment. The Youth Options statute was renamed the Early College Credit Program. The statute allows Wisconsin public and private high school students to take one or more courses at an institution of higher education for high school and/or college credit. Under this section, “institution of higher education” means an institution within the University of Wisconsin System, a tribally controlled college, or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in the state. For a more detailed understanding of the changes from youth options to early college credit, please review the revised statute for the Early College Credit Program. The Department of Public Instruction is creating new resources related to the Early College Credit Program. A new website is currently under development. Please check back to our website https://dpi.wi.gov/dual-enrollment for the most up to date information in early 2018. If you would like to be added to our listserv to receive updates and program information, contact Tahira Chaudary at 608-267-3161 or [email protected]. Tahira will also be presenting on this topic at the Middle and High School Principals Convention February 7-9, 2018, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
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