Concurrent Enrollment & ASCENT

Concurrent Enrollment

Beginning July 2022,

• LEPs can no longer require repayment from students who do not complete concurrent enrollment courses or earn a failing grade
• This includes courses taken in concurrent enrollment, ASCENT, and TREP programs

Concurrent Enrollment is defined as the simultaneous enrollment of a qualified student in a local education provider and in one or more postsecondary courses, including academic or career and technical education courses, which may include course work related to apprenticeship programs or internship programs, at an institution of higher education.

• Concurrent Enrollment (CE) opportunities must be offered at no tuition cost to qualified students – Local Education Providers (LEPs) will continue to pay up to only the tuition rate set by the state board for community colleges and occupational education (unless the LEP is located outside the boundaries of all community college service areas).
• Students who complete a Concurrent Enrollment course must receive credit that applies to high school graduation requirements.
• Courses must apply to developmental education or a postsecondary degree, certificate, or gateway course, or is transferable among state institutions of higher education.
• Concurrent enrollment does not include:
  • Simultaneous enrollment in a high school course and Advanced Placement course, International Baccalaureate course; or
  • A postsecondary course that does not fall under the definition of concurrent enrollment (i.e. college level courses offered outside of the Concurrent Enrollment Act).
  • It also does not include simultaneous enrollment in a postsecondary course and an early college or p-tech school/program.
• Student participation in CE will be reported through the Student October Count Data Submission.

Engaging in a meaningful career exploration conversation through the ICAP process is an important step for students, their supporters, and school staff when determining CE course selection. Doing so can lead to the student enrolling in a college course that is more likely to apply to their program of study when enrolled in college after high school graduation or clarifying career ambitions.  While the student is not required to declare a program of study through CE, they can, and it would be beneficial to do so if the student has an informed opinion regarding their future career direction.

CSI schools should develop a policy for CE that states what types of courses will be approved and not approved and the eligibility conditions for qualified students for CE.  For example, schools and districts must provide all students who meet the eligibility criteria the opportunity to take concurrent enrollment courses.  Students must meet the prerequisites, as required by higher education institutions, and academic readiness, such as not be in need of remediation to be eligible.

CSI school must provide written notice of CE opportunities to students and their parent/legal guardian at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the CE course enrollment period.   This notification applies to courses taught on the school’s campus and at the IHE.  It must also include anticipated costs of books and fees and the transferability of the course, including number of transferable credits.  Institutions of higher education must support schools in determination of transferability and costs.  CDE’s Concurrent Enrollment for Students and Parents website is designed to provide CE information to a student-facing audience in support of schools’ efforts to communicate CE opportunities.

Schools can apply for the Concurrent Enrollment and Innovation Grant in partnership with institutions of higher education to expand and innovate concurrent enrollment opportunities to qualified students.

Accelerating Students Through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT)

Beginning July 2022,

• The cap of 500 ASCENT slots statewide is removed.
• There is no longer an ASCENT allocation model.
• Any eligible student may participate in the ASCENT program if they meet eligibility requirements.
• The number of postsecondary credit hours required to be eligible to participate in the ASCENT program is now 9 (reduced from 12).
• CDE anticipates local education providers (LEPs) will utilize the Student October Count file as the mechanism to submit funding for ASCENT students.

Click here for additional updates from CDE

ASCENT is a fifth-year high school program that allows students to participate in concurrent enrollment the year after 12th grade. They remain students in their Local Education Provider (LEP) for one year following their 12th grade year, and the LEP receives ASCENT specific per-pupil state funding that it uses to pay their college tuition at the resident community college rate. Students receive their high-school diplomas at the end of their ASCENT year.

ASCENT program objectives:

• Increase the percentage of students participating in postsecondary education, especially low-income and traditionally underserved populations.
• Decrease the number of students who do not complete high school.
• Decrease the time required for a student to complete a postsecondary credential.
• Increase the number of educational pathways available to students

Student participation in ASCENT will be reported through the Student October Count Data Submission

Concurrent Enrollment and ASCENT Resources and Professional Learning

Concurrent Enrollment

• CDE Concurrent Enrollment
• National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP)
• Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Concurrent Enrollment Statement of Standards and On-Site Best Practices
• Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) Concurrent and Dual Enrollment
• CDE Concurrent Enrollment School (District) Checklist
• CDE Concurrent Enrollment Student Checklist
• CDE Concurrent Enrollment Guidelines and FAQ’s
• CDE Concurrent Enrollment Promising Practices
  • Jefferson County School District Post-Secondary Opportunities
• Colorado Center for Rural Education Rural Inservice Educator Stipend
• CSI Student October Count Data Submission Guidance

ASCENT

• CDE ASCENT
• CDE ASCENT For Students and Parents/Guardians
• CSI Student October Count Data Submission Guidance