Senior Year Plus

Senior Year Plus serves as an umbrella for a variety of programs designed to provide high school students access to courses that have the potential to generate college credit. The following documents provide an overview of requirements:

Senior Year Plus Guide for Educators and Educational Administrators
Senior Year Plus Guide – Frequently Asked Questions Addendum (March 2010)
Sample Notification of Student PSEO Registration Form
Memo Regarding Alternative Measures of Proficiency and CTE Courses for AY 2010-2011
Senior Year Plus Guide for Educators and Educational Administrators (printer friendly version)
Senior Year Plus Administrative Rules (Chapter 22)
Senior Year Plus Legislative Briefing (2009)
Senior Year Plus Initial Guidance on House File 2679 (2008)

 

Senior Year Plus Programs

Advanced Placement (AP^®)
Advanced Placement (AP^®) courses are college-level courses offered by high schools. The courses, curriculum requirements, and optional tests are provided by The College Board. Based on the examination score and the postsecondary institution's policies, students may be eligible for college credit or advanced standing at the college or university they later matriculate.

Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
The Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act was enacted in 1987 to promote rigorous academic pursuits by providing high school students access to enroll part-time in nonsectarian courses in eligible postsecondary institutions. Now offered through Senior Year Plus, the program is available to eligible juniors and seniors as well as freshmen and sophomores who are identified as gifted and talented according to the school district’s criteria and procedures.

Concurrent Enrollment
The concurrent enrollment program, also known as district-to-community college sharing, promotes rigorous academic or career and technical pursuits by providing opportunities for high school students to enroll part-time in eligible nonsectarian courses at or through community colleges. Per Senior Year Plus, concurrent enrollment courses are offered through contractual agreements between community colleges and school districts within their service area.

Career Academies
Career academies are programs of study offered to high school students through an agreement or contract between their high school and a community college. They bridge high school and community college CTE programs.

Iowa defines career academies differently than national models which often involve small learning communities. In Iowa, career academies are programs of study that combine a minimum of two years of secondary education with an associate degree in a career preparatory program. The career academy is a program of study that is non-duplicative, sequential, and ensures that the course of study is skill standards-based, integrates academic and technical instruction, utilizes work based and work site learning where appropriate and available, utilizes an individual career planning process with parent involvement, and prepares an individual for entry and advancement in a high-skill and rewarding career field.

Senior Year Plus Postsecondary Course Audit Committee

The Senior Year Plus Postsecondary Course Audit Committee is charged with reviewing samples of postsecondary courses delivered through Senior Year Plus Programs.

Senior Year Plus Program Data

The Department of Education issues several reports with Senior Year Plus programs including the Annual Condition of Educatin Report, the Condition of Iowa Community Colleges Report, and the Iowa Community Colleges Joint Enrollment Report.

Supplementary Weighting - Certified Enrollment Page

The Department of Education provides instructions for school districts seeking supplementary weighted funding.  This page includes resources related to certified enrollment including a link to a supplementary weighting calculator and a summary of the prior year’s assignment of weighted funding by district.