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Legislative Updates

Six School Districts Will Participate In ASCENT Program And Offer Concurrent Enrollment

News Release :: June 3, 2010

The Colorado General Assembly approved $1.7 million for six school districts that elected to participate in the Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) program during the 2010-11 school year.

The ASCENT program permits eligible students to participate in a "5th year" of high school while enrolled concurrently. Districts with ASCENT students will receive a fixed amount of "per-pupil operating revenue." ASCENT program participants shall not be considered a high school graduate until he or she has completed his or her participation in the ASCENT program and any remaining graduation requirements.

The six school districts are Aurora Public Schools, Denver Public Schools, Greeley-Evans School District 6, Jefferson County Schools, Kim School District and Widefield School District 3.

To participate in the ASCENT program in the future, districts must complete the following:

By September 1, 2010, and each fall thereafter, submit to the Colorado Department of Education a list of current twelfth grader students who will be eligible for the ASCENT program during the upcoming school year, i.e. current seniors (2009-10 school year) who plan to remain enrolled at the high school in order to participate in a dual degree or 5th year program (in the 2010-11 school year).
Enter into a cooperative agreement with a qualified institution of higher education.
Ensure that all college credit hours earned concurrently apply toward the students' high school graduation requirements as defined in the students' academic plan.

To participate in the ASCENT program in the future, a student must meet the following qualifications:

Has completed or are on schedule to complete at least 12 credit hours (semester hours or equivalent) of postsecondary course work prior to the completion of twelfth-grade year;
Is not in need of basic skills coursework as defined by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education's remedial education policy;
Has been selected for participation in the ASCENT program by a high school principal or equivalent school administrator;
Has satisfied the minimum prerequisites for the course before enrollment in the course;
Has not previously participated in ASCENT.

For more information about the ASCENT program, visit www.cde.state.co.us or contact Charles Dukes at 303-866-6142 or dukes_c@cde.state.co.us.

For more information, contact Mark Stevens, 303-866-3898, or Megan McDermott, 303-866-2334, in the CDE Office of Communications. Sign up for the CDE e-mail news service at www.cde.state.co.us/Communications.

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