Local boards must grant academic credit for approved eligible-institution courses that students complete, and the state board must help approve courses and set rules for diplomas.
(a)(1) Each local board of education shall grant academic credit to an eligible student enrolled in a course at an eligible institution if that course has been approved pursuant to subdivision (2) and if the student successfully completes that course. (2) The state board and representatives of each participating eligible institution shall collaborate to approve courses for inclusion in the program. Any course that is substantially comparable to a high school course approved by the state board, other than a remedial or summer school course, shall be approved. Co-requisite courses may be approved for inclusion in the program, provided that a student may only receive one secondary credit for the completion of both the co-requisite course and the companion college-level course. (3) The secondary credit granted shall be for the comparable high school course (b) Secondary school credits granted for eligible institution courses shall be counted toward graduation requirements and subject area requirements of the local board of education. Evidence of successful completion of each course and secondary credits granted shall be included in the eligible student’s high school transcript. Secondary credit for postsecondary courses shall be awarded in the same manner as credits for dual enrollment courses. (c) Students who successfully complete a course that is not approved under subsection (a) may receive secondary credit for purposes of satisfying an elective credit. (d) The state board shall establish rules to require local boards of education to award a high school diploma to any eligible student who is enrolled at an eligible institution under the program, provided that the credit earned at the institution satisfies course requirements needed for the eligible student to complete high school graduation.