Substitute Bill No. 6869 seeks to enhance dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities for high school students in Connecticut by modifying existing legislation. The bill allows local or regional boards of education to award high school graduation credits for dual and concurrent enrollment courses, emphasizing flexible learning pathways and mastery of subject matter. It also outlines specific conditions for credit awards, such as successful course completion or proficiency exams. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Education to inform parents of students in grades eight to eleven about advanced curriculum options and mandates that eligibility policies for advanced courses be inclusive, not solely based on prior academic performance.

Furthermore, the bill establishes accreditation requirements for institutions offering concurrent enrollment courses, mandating that they obtain accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships by July 1, 2028, with new courses needing accreditation within three years of establishment. It also introduces annual reporting requirements for these institutions to provide the Department of Education with information on enrolled high school students, including identification, course details, and grades, starting August 1, 2025. The bill includes new legal language regarding accreditation timelines and reporting obligations, with effective dates set for various points in 2025 and 2026, ensuring a phased implementation of these new requirements.

Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill: 10-221x, 10-221w
HED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-221x, 10-221w
File No. 230: 10-221x, 10-221w
ED Joint Favorable: 10-221x, 10-221w