FILE:  IDCI 

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DUAL ENROLLMENT

The Avoyelles Parish School Board believes that students who begin post-secondary coursework while still in high school are more likely to complete post-secondary education/training, thus resulting in higher earning potential and greater contribution to the local community.  Therefore, the School Board shall provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit hours while simultaneously fulfilling Carnegie unit requirements necessary for high school graduation.  In some instances, students who are working toward or completing an associate’s degree may also be earning a Jump Start TOPS Career Diploma or a TOPS University Diploma.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER INTO DUAL ENROLLMENT:

TOPS University Diploma:

• Minimum of 2.5 grade point average
  
  

• Successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry, English I and English II with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA in these courses.
  
  

• Passed the LEAP Exam in Algebra I, Geometry, English I, and English II.
  
  

• ACT Math Subscore of 19; ACT ELA Subscore of 18

Note: Additional requirements or substitutions (i.e. Accuplacer) for these may vary according to the university and/or current policy of the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Jump Start TOPS Career Diploma:

• Minimum of 2.0 grade point average

• Successful completion of (passing grade) of Algebra I, English I, English II

• Passed the LEAP Exam in Algebra I, English I, and English II.

• Test score requirements may vary according to program selection and criteria of the postsecondary partner.

Note: Additional requirements or substitutions (i.e. Accuplacer) for these may vary according to the post-secondary partner and/or current policy of the Louisiana Board of Regents.

(EXCEPTION: The Avoyelles Parish Schools Superintendent has the authority to grant an exception and approve Avoyelles Parish Schools to cover the cost for a student who has not met all the above criteria but has a plan to pursue an associate degree.

TOPS University AND Jump Start TOPS Career:

Within a term, if a student fails a course or withdraws from a course with a “W” the student shall be ineligible to participate in post-secondary courses in the following term unless granted written permission by the principal.

The Avoyelles Parish Schools will cover the dual enrollment cost for courses approved by the principal. However, for each course a student fails or withdraws from after the nonrefundable fee deadline, the student/student’s guardian will be responsible to reimburse the district the cost the district paid for the course(s).

All Dual Enrollment courses that are approved by the school principal and completed prior to graduation will be reflected in the student’s high school transcript.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOLS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS OF DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSE FOR SENIORS AND GRADUATING JUNIORS

(EXCEPTION: This policy will not go into effect for Seniors and Graduating Juniors in the school year 2024-2025 until the second semester of their graduating year.  The Avoyelles Parish Schools Superintendent has the authority to grant an exception and approve Avoyelles Parish Schools to cover the cost(s) for a student who has not met all the following criteria.

TOPS University:

• Gold level or higher on WorkKeys or 23 or higher on the ACT

AND

• Minimum Advanced Level credential or equivalent

Jump Start TOPS Career:

• Silver or higher on WorkKeys or 18 or higher on the ACT

AND

• Working towards an Advanced Level credential or equivalent.

New policy:  April 5, 2022

Revised:  March 19, 2024

Ref:    Board minutes, 4-5-22, 3-19-24

Avoyelles Parish School Board