B6.01 - Approve the Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement with the University of South Florida (USF) Board of Trustees for the 2020/2021 Academic Year (Academic Services)

The programs covered under this agreement are USF dual enrollment and early admission.  Dual enrollment course offerings allow qualifying students in grades 9-12 to enroll in both high school and college and provide students the opportunity to enhance their learning in courses that meet educational, career, and personal needs while enrolled in high school.  The student may earn up to 30 credit hours per year in the program, which shortens the time necessary to complete degree requirements. Dual enrollment course offerings, both on and off the high school campus, provide greater academic options and considerable financial savings.  This agreement is completed and submitted annually to the State Board of Education.

Pursuant to s. 1007.271(21)(n) (1.), F.S., Dual Enrollment programs, school districts shall pay public postsecondary institutions the standard tuition rate per credit hour from funds provided in the Florida Education Finance Program when dual enrollment course instruction takes place on the postsecondary institution’s campus and the course is taken during the fall or spring term. When dual enrollment is provided on the high school site by postsecondary institution faculty, the school district shall reimburse the costs associated with the postsecondary institution’s proportion of salary and benefits to provide the instruction. When dual enrollment course instruction is provided on the high school site by school district faculty, the school district is not responsible for payment to the postsecondary institution. A postsecondary institution may enter into an agreement with the school district to authorize teachers to teach dual enrollment courses at the high school site or the postsecondary institution.

The dual enrollment articulation agreement with USF provides students opportunities to be engaged in rigorous academic programs while in high school to ensure they will succeed in advanced-level courses in their postsecondary college and career opportunities.

 A total of 586 credit hours were earned by the students participating in the USF dual enrollment program for the 2019/2020 school year. 

At the end of the 2020/2021 school year, we will evaluate the program by the number of credit hours earned by participating students.

* Improve the high school graduation rate

* Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child

That the Board approve the renewal of the Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement with USF as a partner with Hillsborough County Public Schools for the 2020/2021 academic year.

Terry Connor, Deputy Superintendent for Instruction, Academic Services, terry.connor@hcps.net, (813) 272-4221
Jazheel Lenegar, Executive Director, Instructional Support, Academic Services, jazheel.lenegar@hcps.net, (813) 272-4559

Funds in the amount of $60,000 will be available in the Dual Enrollment Staff budget, Project 5399.