The Running Start Program Overview

Updated 05/07

Alert - As of 10/25/07 Changes have been made that have not been reflected on our website.  We are in the process of validating our information in order to reflect the most accurate information.  See e-alert we sent out on 11/02

The Christian Homeschool Network works to protect homeschoolers access to higher education. CHN does not endorse nor oppose the Running Start program. With that in mind, we have provided the following information for your use.

 RCW 28A.600.310 and 1994 c 205 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Eleventh and twelfth grade students or students who have not yet received the credits required for the award of a high school diploma ((or its equivalent)) and are eligible to be in the eleventh or twelfth grades may apply to a participating institution of higher education to enroll in courses or programs offered by the institution of higher education. A student receiving home-based instruction enrolling in a public high school for the sole purpose of participating in courses or programs offered by institutions of higher education shall not be counted by the school district in any required state or federal accountability reporting if the student's parents or guardians filed a declaration of intent to provide home-based instruction and the student received home-based instruction during the school year before the school year in which the student intends to participate in courses or programs offered by the institution of higher education. Students receiving home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW and students attending private schools approved under chapter 28A.195 RCW shall not be required to meet the student learning goals, obtain a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement to graduate from high school, or to master the essential academic learning requirements. However, students are eligible to enroll in courses or programs in participating universities only if the board of directors of the student's school district has decided to participate in the program. Participating institutions of higher education, in consultation with school districts, may establish admission standards for these students. If the institution of higher education accepts a secondary school pupil for enrollment under this section, the institution of higher education shall send written notice to the pupil and the pupil's school district within ten days of acceptance. The notice shall indicate the course and hours of enrollment for that pupil.

Note, the underlined language reflects changes to existing law. SB5289 was introduced in the 2005 session. CHN lobbied for the bill and helped it pass into law.

http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Htm/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5289-S.PL.htm

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Washington State law allows students in the 11^th or 12^th grade to attend community or technical college tuition free. Parent/student is responsible to pay for books, fees, and transportation. The purpose of the program is to allow students to complete their high school credits along with earning college credits and maybe even an associate degree or technical degree.

Washington State rules (WAC) give the local public schools authority to administer the program by enrolling students in the program. The high school counselor is responsible for monitoring student’s progress, and ensure graduation requirements are met. Note: this does not apply to homeschool students not seeking a diploma from the school district. The community or technical college counselor is available to assist these students with classes and degree requirements.

This program has been widely used within the homeschool community. Many homeschool families access the program to fulfill high school classes that they cannot do at home, more challenging courses for their students, or get a head start on college. However, homeschoolers have met some challenges when enrolling in the program.

PAST ISSUES

In the past, one of the major issues has been in establishing a student’s grade level, and credits of work completed. Since there is no statewide standard, the requirements can vary from school district to school district. Lately, several school districts have insisted that a student meet the graduation requirements of the local public school. The high school counselor determined if the student was eligible for the program and determined the students grade level.  The high school counselor than signed a Running Start Authorization form, allowing the student to enroll in the program. The student than had to pass entrance or eligibility exams required by the community or technical college.

NEW LAW

In the 2005 legislative session, CHN worked to pass legislation that would help to correct some of these problems. We wanted to make sure that home educators would still have the freedom to access this program without any more regulation than necessary and without comprising their goals for their child’s education. 

Unfortunately, the law does not clarify who is responsible to determine grade level and credits needed to graduate. The home-based instruction law gives this authority to the parent/guardian, and it is the responsibly of the parent to determine when the child has graduated and it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to issue a diploma and prepare the student’s transcripts. This new law releases the local school districts from accountability for home based students enrolled in the Running Start Program. 

In the summer of 2005, CHN worked with Marcia Riggers, Assistant Superintendent OSPI and the WHO advocacy task force on implementation of this amended law. Together we worked on an enrollment form to be used by parent/guardian when enrolling their children in Running Start. This form would make homeschoolers rights clear to the school district and make it clear to school districts that they are not accountable for these students.

We asked that OSPI make this an official form that school districts must use and that the form would clarify state law which authorizes home educator to determine grade status, not the school district. This language was evaluated by the Attorney General’s Office. They agreed that the form could contain this language! We also requested that OSPI send out a memorandum explaining the change, proper procedure, and this new form to all of the 296 school districts in the state. This was done September 5, 2005 Bulletin No. 086-05

Our goal was for home educators across the state to follow one process to enroll, one enrollment form and one location for filing! 

CHN and WHO volunteers worked very hard to make this a reality and to protect home educators freedoms. We need to stand together to make sure these new freedoms are not lost. Together we can insure this process is available year after year and for the benefit of future home educators.

 CHN makes the following suggestions when enrolling in the program.

 (For a printer friendly version click here)

• Read and make copies of the Running Start law and rules

Running Start Law RCW 28A.600.300  to RCW 28A.600.400

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.600.300

Running State Rules WAC 392-169-005 to WAC 392-169-125

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=392-169

Office Superintendent of Public Instruction- Running Start Information Page

http://www.k12.wa.us/RunningStart/default.aspx

• Read/copy the bulletin from Dr. Bergeson, State Superintendent.. Bulletin No. 086-05 outlines the new OSPI policy for school districts to follow when enrolling home-based students in the Running Start program. You may need to provide this information to your local school district in case they are not familiar with this new policy and procedure. School district must follow OSPI policy.

• Children enrolled in the Running Start program still need to have a declaration-of-intent form filed each year.

• Parents/students can access the Running Start Program from any school district. You do not have to go through your local school district.

• State law authorizes home educators to issue high school diplomas, issue transcripts, and determine graduation requirements for their children. You do not have to get a diploma from the local school district. It is not necessary to take the GED. The GED has a stigma associated with it and in the case of the military a GED has resulted in the solider being ranked lower than necessary. Contact Homeschool Legal Defense Association for any assistance with the military www.HSLDA.org

Some school districts are telling home educators they must go through a "public school at home" program to enroll in Running Start, this is not accurate information. The proper procedure is to enroll at the local school district office. Many times these programs position themselves to be the point of contact for homeschoolers in the district. Often they create confusion between independent home education and public school at home programs. Any problems or questions contact us and we will assist you. chnow@msn.com or contact Kristen Smith at OSPI to report this violation and for assistance, her telephone number is (360) 725-6433.

 PROCESS FOR ENROLLING IN RUNNNG START:

This information is for independent homeschoolers accessing the Running Start program and who are not seeking any services from the school district.

• First, your student will need to take the entrance or eligibility exams from the community or technical college to see if they qualify for the program. The community college staff will let you know if your child qualifies for the Running Start program and will give you a print out of their scores. The Running Start program only pays for college level classes. You do not need to provide this information to your school district.

• Copy and complete the Running Start form for home-based students Form SPI 1600 was developed for home based students as a result of the new legislation passed in 2005. This is an official OSPI form and is to be used by all school districts for home-based students.

• Next, you must enroll in program with a local school district. Take Form SPI 1600 the Running Start form for home-based students to your local school district office for their signature.  This is for funding purposes only. No other forms or information is required. This form is good for the time they are eligible for the Running Start program (1-2 years).

If your school district requests additional information, than stand up for your freedoms and politely ask them to state the law or rule that requires you to do so. Home educators should never give out more information than required by law this could lead to other issues in the future.

NOTE: Homeschool students do not need to fill out immunization forms for the school district. It is no longer necessary to work with the local high school or their counselors. Form SPI 1600 is to be filed with and signed by the local school district office, do not take or file at any other location.

• Your student is now enrolled in the Running Start program. Take Form SPI 1600 back to the community or technical college and complete their enrollment process.

 OTHER TIPS

• Keep good records of the high school work your child has already completed. There are many good books about homeschooling the high school years. This information will help you in determining high school credits, graduation requirements and preparing your child’s transcript.

• If you child plans to transfer to another college to seek a bachelors degree you may want to check with them first. Classes taken in Running Start may not be accepted as college credits, even if the child has earned an associate degree.

• Homeschoolers can access the Running Start program part-time, 15 or less college credits qualifies as part-time.

• Parents will not have access to student’s college records under the FERPA act. The student will need to sign a wavier so that parents can have access to their information.

  Additional Resources:

Running Start Law RCW 28A.600.300  to RCW 28A.600.400

NOTE: Some of the information on this page regarding home-based students is inaccurate. This may be due to the timing of it’s publishing and the release of Dr. Bergeson’s bulletin NO 086-05. We have notified officials of this need to correct this form.

© 2006 CHNOW all rights reserved

Permission to copy and distribute if copied in its entirety, or contact chnow@msn.com