The
UNC Policy Manual
400.6.1[R]
Adopted
08/07/06
This regulation confirms the required conditions and
agreements that must be made prior to the establishment of an Early College
High School program between constituent institutions of the University of North
Carolina and local education agencies.
The purpose of these regulations is to protect the interest of the
students and ensure they have available to them all the services required of
the appropriate education entity.
An agreement may be made between a local school district’s
Board of Education and a constituent institution of the university (hereafter
the University) only when each of the following elements is included in the
agreement:
1.
The Early College High School (hereafter Early College) will
be a public high school under the authority of the local school district’s
Board of Education (hereafter Board of Education). All federal, state, and local laws applicable
to public high schools will be applicable to the Early College.
2. The principal of the Early College will be appointed by
the Board of Education who will have executive authority over the high school
programs and activities. The principal
will select and supervise qualified and certified teachers to provide the
courses for the high school programs.
The Board of Education will compensate the principal, teachers and high
school staff of the Early College.
3. All federal, state, local, and Board requirements for
public high schools will be followed and met and paid for by the Board of
Education including but not limited to curriculum, instructional calendar,
transportation, provision of textbooks and related materials, provision of
physical education, provision of meals, provision of health services, including
counseling, compliance with laws and regulations governing the education of
students with disabilities, compliance with federal laws governing privacy of student
records, and compliance with state laws governing the health and safety of
minors and discipline. In addition, the
Board of Education will pay any applicable instructional, incidental and
miscellaneous fees charged by the University to its regularly enrolled
students.
4. The Board of Education will ensure that all students
enrolled in the Early College are provided with courses that meet the minimum
course requirements for admission to the University of North Carolina, provided
that upon recommendation of the Board, these requirements may be waived by the
Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina.
5. The Early College will enroll at least 100 students such
that it is a recognized high school by the Department of Public Instruction;
provided that the head count may be modified by the Department upon
recommendation of the Board of Education.
6. The Early College will be located on the campus of the
University which will provide sufficient classroom and related space for the
high school academic programs. Limited
and controlled access to the University library will also be provided. There will be no access to residence halls,
unmonitored internet access sites, any space where alcohol is available or any
other space deemed by the University to be unsuitable for high school students
or their programs. Monitoring of the
students compliance with access to facilities and internet access will be the
responsibility of the school principal.
The University shall be responsible for the provision of utilities, and
the maintenance thereof.
7. The Board of Education will be
responsible for ensuring compliance with restrictions to Internet access as
required for public schools in North Carolina.
8. All facilities will remain under the
control of the University. All students,
faculty and staff of the Early College must abide by University policies and
regulations concerning its facilities as well as any restrictions as
contemplated by paragraph (6).
9. The University may provide selected university-level
courses for the students enrolled in the Early College. These courses will be taught by University
faculty. Prior to enrolling in a
university-level course, the students must demonstrate readiness to succeed in
these courses. Representatives of the University and the Early College will
confer and agree on a standard measure of readiness and performance which must
be met by the students prior to enrollment in a university-level course.
10. The University host will establish the performance criteria
for admission and for transfer of credits for Early College students to the
host institution. Students meeting those criteria will be assured admission to
the host institution and transfer of credits to complete the baccalaureate
degree.
11. Students participating in an Early College will be
identified and tracked in the University data system and will be placed in a
unique category for Early College High School (ECHS) student. The students at the Early College will not be
classified or counted as regularly enrolled students.
12. Selection of Early College students for the Early College
High School must be made by an admissions committee that includes but is not
limited to local public school officials, university academic affairs
officials, university student affairs officials and college officials. Selection must be based on academic
credentials, disciplinary records, potential of successful completion of high
school requirements, potential for successful completion of university course
requirements and potential for contribution to the intellectual and social
strength of the college environment.
13. Applicants to the Early College must complete an application
developed by representatives of the university and the college. This application must contain security
questions utilized by the University for all enrolled students.
14. The Board of Education and the University will agree on
start-up and annual operational costs to be reimbursed to the University by the
Board of Education.
15. The Board of Education, through funding from the Department
of Public Instruction, must pay to the University the tuition, education and
technology fee, book costs and cost of delivering university-level courses for
ECHS students. (Note: "Cost of
delivery" is the amount derived by running the college level student
credit hours (SCHs) through our enrollment change model.)
16. While in University facilities, on University property or in
University classes, the students, faculty and staff of the Early College will
comply with all state and local laws, applicable University regulations and
applicable University policies. Failure
to follow these proscriptions will subject the individual to the disciplinary
procedures of the University and may result in dismissal from the College. The Board of Education will adopt any rules
necessary to its governance of the school, provided that those rules will not
be inconsistent to those in force at the University.
17. Students may be dismissed by the principal for violation of
high school rules or regulations. The
University may not veto these disciplinary decisions but the principal may seek
advice from University officials prior to making these decisions. Students may also be disciplined or dismissed
by the University for violations of federal or state laws or University rules
or policies. Neither the principal nor
the Board may veto such disciplinary decisions but the University may seek
their advice prior to making these decisions.
18. The Board of Education and the University are each
responsible for the negligence or intentional harm caused by its employees;
however nothing in this section shall be construed to waive any defense of
sovereign immunity which might otherwise be available to the Board or the
University; provided further that nothing in this section shall be construed to
limit the rights of the Attorney General of North Carolina to bring claims for
or to defend claims against the University.
19. The agreement between the University and the Board of
Education must have a defined period of duration and a provision for
termination with appropriate written notice.
This agreement may be amended or supplemented by mutual written consent
of both the Board of Education and the University.
20. If the agreement is terminated, the University will be
reimbursed for uncompensated expenses incurred in the establishment or
operation of the Early College.
21. The University and the Board of Education may agree on
additional provisions to their agreement as long as those provisions are not in
conflict with the above elements.
22. The agreement must be approved by the
appropriate entities and signed by the chair of the Board of Education; superintendent
of the collaborating school district; chair of the campus board of trustees;
and the chancellor of the institution.