This bill amends provisions related to the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program in Iowa, as outlined in Code section 261E.8. It allows students to apply for enrollment in nonsectarian courses offered by community colleges, provided that a comparable course is not available at their school district or accredited nonpublic school. Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a community college offers a course in both in-person and primarily online formats, students must enroll in the in-person version unless authorized otherwise by the school district superintendent.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that school boards annually approve courses for high school credit based on locally developed criteria that ensure academic rigor and adequate preparation for postsecondary education. Upon acceptance of a student into the program, the school district, in collaboration with the community college, is required to send written notice to the student and their guardians, detailing the course information, attendance hours, and college credit awarded upon successful completion. The bill also includes nonsubstantive changes to the hierarchical structure of the existing code.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 261E.8