Appeals

A student may appeal the school board’s decision about awarding high school credit/comparability of a postsecondary course to the state superintendent within 30 days. 

 

Transportation
Parents or students are responsible for transportation between the school and the postsecondary institution. 

Transportation assistance is available from the DPI for low-income parents (eligible for free/reduced lunch under the federal school lunch program). Transportation costs may only be reimbursed if the student is taking a postsecondary course for high school credit. A claim for transportation reimbursement form (PI-8701) is available from your school, or DPI:
http://www.dpi.wi.gov/forms/pdf/pod8701.pdf

and must be submitted to the DPI no later than 30 days after the end of the college semester to which the claim pertains.

A student is required, to the extent possible, to use public transportation or a vehicle owned by his or her family.

Additional information, including forms, answers to common questions, timelines, contact persons, the administrative rules, etc., is available at: http://dpi.wi.us/youthoptions

For more information contact:

Your high school counselor, local college admissions representative, or call:

Beth Lewis, 608-267-1062 or 800-441-4563
beth.lewis@dpi.wi.gov

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

August 2008

The Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, sexual orientation or disability.

Youth Options

Program

Information for
Students and Parents

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Youth Options Program
The Youth Options program allows all public high school juniors and seniors who meet certain requirements to take postsecondary courses at a Wisconsin technical college or institution of higher education. An institution of higher education (IHE) includes UW System institutions, tribally controlled colleges, and private, nonprofit institutions.

The program opens the door to greater learning opportunities for students who are considering a technical career, wishing to begin college early, wanting to prepare to enter the workforce immediately after high school graduation.

The student does not have to pay for a postsecondary course if the school board determines the course may receive high school credit and is not comparable to a course offered in the school district. If approved by the school board, the student will receive both high school and postsecondary credit for a successfully completed course. The high school will grant a diploma to a student who has successfully completed high school graduation standards, regardless of whether the requirements were met at the high school or a postsecondary institution.

Forms You Need

A program plan and report form (PI-8700A) used to notify the school board of a student’s intent to participate in the program may be obtained from your school district, DPI, or DPI's website:

http://dpi.wi.gov/forms/pdf/pod8700-a.pdf

Application forms for admission to a postsecondary institution may be obtained from your school district or the postsecondary institution.

Eligibility: 
Student/Parent Responsibilities

Since all public high schools participate in the Youth Options program, all juniors and seniors in Wisconsin public schools who meet the program requirements are eligible. To qualify for the program, a student must:

• Have completed the 10th grade, and to attend a technical college, be in good academic standing and have an acceptable disciplinary record.
• Apply to the postsecondary institution in the school semester prior to the one in which the student plans to attend the postsecondary course.
• Notify the school board (complete form PI-8700A) of the student’s intention of enrolling in a postsecondary institution no later than March 1 for a course to be taken in the fall semester; October 1 for a course to be taken in the spring semester.
• Notify the school board if the student is admitted to the postsecondary institution.
• Notify the school board if the student is registered to attend a postsecondary course.

A parent or guardian is responsible for satisfactory student attendance and the student’s compliance with the compulsory school attendance law under §118.15(1) (a), Wis. Stats.

Students with a Disability

Students with a disability are encouraged to participate in the Youth Options program. The school board may, however, refuse to permit a student with a disability to attend a technical college if the cost would impose an undue financial burden on the school district.

Determining High School Credit/Comparability

The school board determines whether a postsecondary course is eligible for high school credit, how much high school credit may be awarded, and whether the course is comparable to a course offered at the school district.

 

Payment of Tuition and Fees

The school board must pay for any course that is taken for high school credit and that is not comparable to a course offered in the school district.

A student must pay for any postsecondary course taken that is comparable to a course offered at the school district.

A student must pay for a postsecondary course that is not used for high school credit.

A student must pay for incidental college fees (such as a parking permit) and for equipment, tools, supplies and consumables (notebooks, workbooks, uniforms) which will become the property of the student.

The school board must pay for the cost of any books and fees for all approved courses and materials for students attending an IHE. The school board may expect the return of books and materials in a useable form.

The school board cannot expect the student to pay the cost of tuition, books, and fees then reimburse the student if the student passes the course.

The student may be required to reimburse the school district for tuition and fees if the student drops or fails the course.