001Greetings members of the Board of Education. I'm Dr. Sara Chaya Clarity and uh today I am sharing a brief situation report on the Early College Credit Program and Start College Now, our two dual credit opportunities that allow Sun Prairie students to earn college credit while still in high school. These programs not only expand access to advanced coursework, but also directly support our district's mission to prepare every student for college, career, and life. The Early College Credit Program or ECCP is authorized under policy IGCE and Wisconsin Statute 118.55. It permits any public or private high school student in Wisconsin to enroll in a University of Wisconsin institution, a tribally controlled college, or a private non-profit college in the state. Through ECCP, students may take one or more non-sectarian courses and earn high school credit, college credit,
002or both. The district allows up to 18 total post-secondary credits for each student unless otherwise approved by the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Equity. Students must notify the board by October 1st for spring enrollment and March 1st for summer or fall. The district then provides approval decisions by November 15th and May 15th, respectively. Applications flow through each high school's counseling office and the College, Career, and Life Readiness Coordinator. Importantly, a course may be denied if a comparable course is already offered in our district. Once approved, the student registers for the class and the district is billed once coursework begins. Tuition and textbook costs are budgeted within the Secondary Teaching, Learning, and Equity Department. This process ensures equitable access to college-level learning opportunities while maintaining fiscal responsibility for our taxpayers. The Start College Now program,
003outlined in policy IGCE and state statute 38.12 {parentheses} 14, operates similarly, but through Wisconsin technical colleges. It's open to public high school juniors and seniors who meet eligibility requirements and want to take career-focused or technical courses for both high school and college credit. Like ECCP, the intent forms are due October 1st for spring and March 1st for summer or fall. Again, applications are coordinated by the high school counselor and College, Career, and Readiness staff. Under this program, the district pays qualifying costs for approved coursework successfully completed for high school credit, covering tuition, course fees, and textbooks. Families cover incidental costs such as parking permits, workbooks, or uniforms. If a student withdraws or fails the course, the family reimburses the district for those tuition costs. Together, these safeguards help ensure the program is sustainable while keeping
004access open and to all eligible students. Both programs include cost-sharing between the district, the post-secondary institution, and occasionally the student. Under ECCP, if the course counts for both high school and college credit, the district pays 75% and the state pays 25%. If the course counts for college-only credit, the district share drops 25% with 50% covered by the state and 25% by the student. Under Start College Now, the district covers 100% of approved costs when taken for high school credit. To give a sense of scale, Madison College liberal arts transfer courses currently cost $192.20 per credit. Career-focused Madison College courses cost $152.85 per credit. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the per credit cost is $133.93, reflecting the district's 75% share of the total tuition. Over time, we've seen steady growth in both enrollment and expenditure. In
0052019-2020 school year, district costs were just over 4,000. That number rose to over 29,000 the following year. We dipped a bit in '21-'22 to 24,000, and then greatly magnified costs in '22-'23 at over $51,000. In the '23-'24 school year, those costs rose to $56,000, approximately. And last year, we incurred a total cost of nearly $75,000. $74,661.60 and 54 cents, to be specific. This upward trend reflects increased student participation and expanded course options, both positive indicators of engagement and readiness for college-level work. Students from Sun Prairie East, Sun Prairie West, and Prairie Phoenix Academy participate in these programs. Each semester, eligible students submit applications listing their preferred courses, which are reviewed for approval. An ECCP or SCN application chart accompanies this report and provides detail about individual student enrollments, course selections, and demographic information. We've also
006created a one-page overview, which is available on every high school's website to help students and families navigate the application process, understand deadlines, and determine whether a course qualifies for credit. This transparency has contributed to consistent year-over-year growth in participation. Through both the Early College Credit Program and Start College Now, students are developing academic confidence and gaining early exposure to the expectations of college-level learning, often saving themselves and their families thousands of dollars in future tuition costs. These opportunities require significant collaboration across many roles in our district. I want to recognize our high school counselors, our College, Career, and Life Readiness Coordinators, the administrative associate for the Director of Secondary Teaching, Learning, and Equity, and our high school registrar. Their attention to detail ensures every student application is reviewed accurately and submitted on time. Most importantly,
007I want to express gratitude to our students, those who take on the challenge of college coursework while still in high school. Their ambition and persistence are at the heart of what makes these programs successful. For many, the Early College Credit Program and Start College Now represents the first step towards earning a college degree, entering a technical career, or pursuing specialized study aligned with their passions. In summary, participation in the Early College Credit and Start College Now continues to grow, reflecting our shared commitment to expanding access and supporting student success beyond graduation. We will continue to monitor enrollment trends, fiscal impact, and outcomes to ensure these programs remain equitable, sustainable, and impactful for our Sun Prairie students. Thank you for your attention and for your continued support of our students' college, career, and life readiness pathways.
008I look forward to answering any questions you might have at our upcoming Board of Education meeting. Thank you. >> [music]