Dual Credit Programs. High school students have the opportunity to enroll in post-secondary courses while simultaneously earning high school and college credit.  Dual credit programs can be course-based or exam-based.  Examples of course-based programs include Running Start, College in the High School and Career and Technical Education dual credit.

Running Start allows eligible students in grades 11 and 12 to apply for admission at a participating public institution of higher education.  Students in the Running Start program do not pay tuition, but do pay for educational materials, mandatory fees, and transportation costs.  Public institutions of higher education must make fee waivers available for low-income Running Start students. Students receive both high school and college credit for passing these classes. 

College in the High School courses are college-level courses taught by high school teachers at the high school and may include academic and career technical education.  Students who participate in a College in the High School program are able to earn both high school and postsecondary credit by completing postsecondary level courses with a passing grade.  An institution of higher education may charge tuition fees per credit to each student enrolled in a program course. 

Exam based programs include Advanced Placement, Cambridge International, and International Baccalaureate.  In these programs, students take rigorous high school courses, taught by high school teachers, at the high school.  Upon completion of the course, students may take a standardized exam.  Depending on how students score, they may earn college credit.  Institutions of higher education award varying levels of credit based on exam scores.

Notifications about Dual Credit Programs. School districts must notify students and parents or guardians regarding the academic acceleration policy and advanced courses or programs available to students, including dual credit courses or programs.  For Running Start, institutions of higher education with relevant student associations must make efforts to communicate the benefits of fee waivers and provide assistance to students and their families on how to apply.  A high school that offers College in the High School must provide general information about the program to all students in grades 8 through 12 and to the parents and guardians of those students.  Information includes a description and breakdown of fees and financial options available to students.

Prior to course scheduling or course registration for the next school term, each public school that serves students in grades 9 through 12 must provide all students and their parents or legal guardians with information about each available dual credit program and any financial assistance available to reduce dual credit course and exam costs for students and their families.

The information must be provided via email and other communication methods, and it must be translated into the primary language of each parent or legal guardian to the extent feasible.  Public schools are encouraged to include this notification along with other information notifying parents or guardians regarding the academic acceleration policy and advanced courses or programs.