The Running Start Program Overview

Updated 05/08

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.

As of October 23, 2007, the process for home educated students enrolling in Running Start has changed. If you have a student currently enrolled in Running Start, these changes do not apply to you. Any home educated student enrolling in Running Start after this date will need to enroll through their local high school and the local high school will determine the grade level of the student. According to our understanding of the rules, these are the only two demands that a home educated student must meet. The student is not required to meet quarterly with the high school guidance counselor, seek a diploma from the local high school, submit immunization records, or take the WASL.

In 2005, CHN was successful in amending the Running Start law which resulted in these positive changes and also protecting home educator’s freedoms. The changes are underlined below.

 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: 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. The 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 through student enrollment. The high school counselor is responsible for monitoring the student’s progress, and ensuring graduation requirements are met. Note: this does not apply to homeschool students who are 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, provide advanced courses for their students, or to 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 establishing a student’s grade level and issuing credits for work completed. Since there is no statewide standard, the requirements can vary from school district to school district. Recently, several school districts have insisted that a student meet the graduation requirements of the local school district. The high school counselor determined if the student was eligible for the program and determined the student’s grade level.  The high school counselor then signed a Running Start Authorization form, allowing the student to enroll in the program. The student then 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 ensure home educators freedom to access this program without undue regulation 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. It also states that it is the responsibly of the parent/guardian 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.

CHN and WHO worked with OSPI on a state-wide form to be used by all school districts. The form required much less information than what is required when enrolling through the school district, and allowed the parent to determine grade level status  However, this form (Form 1600) was revoked in October 2007 due to a change in leadership at OSPI.

This new law releases the local school districts from accountability for home educated students enrolled in the Running Start Program.  As a result many school districts have loosened their enrollment requirements and oversight of home educated students.

CHN makes the following suggestions when enrolling in the program.

• 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

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

• Parents of children enrolled in the Running Start program still need to file a declaration-of-intent form each year.

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

• Home educated students do not need to submit immunization records. This law only applies to students attending a local public school RCW 28A.210.080.

• The school districts can/may determine the child’s grade level status. They should have a written policy in place defining their procedures for determining grade level status for non-traditional students. Some school districts allow the parents to determine grade level status.

 

State law authorizes home educators to issue high school diplomas and transcripts, and determine graduation requirements for their children. The student does not have to get a diploma from the local school district. It is not necessary to take the GED. The GED has the “drop out” stigma associated with it.

Some school districts are telling home educators they must go through a government school-at-home program to enroll in Running Start. This is not accurate. The proper procedure is to enroll at the local high school. Many times the government school-at-home programs position themselves to be the point of contact for ALL homeschoolers in the district.  This only blurs the distinction between independent home education and government school-at-home programs.

If you have any problems or questions contact us and we will assist you. E-mail chnow@msn.com or contact Laura Moore at OSPI (360) 725-6433) to report any violation or for assistance.

PROCESS FOR ENROLLING IN RUNNING 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 printout 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.

• Next, you must enroll in the program through the local high school or local school district. Students must enroll in the local school district so they can receive funds from the state. The local school district will keep a portion for administrative services, and submit funds to the local community college to cover tuition fees.

• Note: School districts should not require the same amount of information from home educated students as they do from other students. In the past, home educators only needed to provide the child’s name, age, and address.  If your school district requests additional information, 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 what is required by law as this could lead to other issues in the future.

• Note: Some school districts may have a separate enrollment form for home-based students. We have prepared the following form for your use. Forms like this have been used successfully in the past and helped to increase communication and cooperation with local schools. Sometimes it helps to have this form notarized for validity purposes.

• Lastly, your student is now enrolled in the Running Start program and can work with the Running Start advisors at the community or technical college to complete their enrollment process. There is no further need for contact with the local school district.

If you do not want to have your child included in the school district directory you will need to ask to be excluded. You can do so in writing or ask if the school district has a form to submit for this purpose.

 

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 your child plans to transfer to another college to seek a bachelor’s degree, you may want to contact that college to assure classes will be accepted.

• 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.

If you encounter any difficulties in accessing the Running Start program, notify your state senator or state representative, and please send us copies of any communications.  The legislature intended for this program to be easily accessible to all students. 

RCW 28A.600.390….The rules shall be written to encourage the maximum use of the program and shall not narrow or limit the enrollment options under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.380.

 

© 2008 CHN all rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute if copied in its entirety, or contact chnow@msn.com

If you support the work of the Christian Homeschool Network, please join us at www.chnow.org This information if intended for informational usage only and is not intended to be and does not constitute the giving of legal advice.