Policies on dual enrollment, special needs vouchers OK'd
High school students enrolled in college classes will have an easier time earning graduation credit for the courses they take and parents now have a new rule to help them get school vouchers for their disabled kids.
The state Board of Education unanimously approved a dual enrollment policy Thursday establishing guidelines for the transfer of credits between high school and college. Some students have had trouble getting the credits they deserved for completing classes on college campuses.
“There was confusion about how to align credits because Carnegie units at the high schools are completely different from quarter hours and semester hours at higher institutions,” said Wanda Barrs, chairwoman of the state Board of Education.
The policy matches the three course completion measures: One to two semester-hour credits or one to three quarter-hour credits equal .5 high school unit credits.
Ambitious students can graduate with technical college certification, their high school diploma and college credits simultaneously, Barrs said.
Another policy setting protocol for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, which provides vouchers to students with disabilities who want to transfer to other public or private schools, was approved 11-1.
State school board member Al Hodge, who voted against the policy, said it was redundant. “There are a number of school districts that are already capable of providing the special services.”
The measure was crafted to clear up confusion about application criteria, parent notification and qualifications for private schools receiving students under the scholarship program.
Currently, about 2,100 students with disabilities use vouchers, about 640 more than last school year. The vouchers averaged about $6,331 and are paid quarterly with parents making up the difference for private school tuition.
