Chapter 3301-43 | High School Continuation Programs

Rule 3301-43-01 | Definitions.

• Effective: April 22, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) As used in this chapter, "high school continuation program" means an organized instructional program established under section 3313.531 of the Revised Code for persons sixteen years of age or older who are not otherwise enrolled in a high school for which the state board of education sets standards. Such programs consist of, and are limited to, those courses provided by a public high school for which credit may be granted toward the issuance of a high school diploma, pursuant to section 3313.61 of the Revised Code.

(B) As used in this chapter, "equivalent adult high school credits" means credits that are equivalent to high school credit for academic and career-technical education courses. Such credits shall be granted only to adult applicants who meet the eligibility criteria provided in paragraph (B) of rule 3301-43-03 of the Administrative Code. Equivalent adult high school credits, granted in accordance with the provisions of rule 3301-43-04 of the Administrative Code, shall be counted toward those required for the diploma of adult education, as defined in paragraph (C) of this rule. Such credits shall not be counted toward those required for a certificate or diploma issued pursuant to section 3313.61 of the Revised Code.

(C) As used in this chapter, "diploma of adult education" means a diploma awarded by a district board of education pursuant to section 3313.611 of the Revised Code. Eligible adult applicants shall be awarded such a diploma in recognition of having earned equivalent adult high school credits as provided by rule 3301-43-04 of the Administrative Code and, beginning July 1, 1993, having met the standards established for the ninth-grade proficiency test, or the Ohio graduation tests in accordance with the transition schedule established by section 3301.0712 of the Revised Code, unless the individual is exempted from taking the test because of a disability in accordance with rule 3301-13-03 of the Administrative Code. In addition, applicants for the diploma of adult education will have earned credits from a chartered public or nonpublic school and/or credits from a high school continuation program.

Last updated April 22, 2021 at 8:18 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3301.07, 3313.531, 3313.611
Amplifies: 3313.531, 3313.611 , 3303.01, 3301.0710, 3301.0712
Five Year Review Date: 4/22/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 5/12/2003

Rule 3301-43-02 | Establishment of adult high school diploma programs.

• Effective: April 22, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) High school continuation programs may be established and operated by a district board of education or jointly by two or more such boards of education, provided that the following conditions are met:

(1) The district board of education has adopted a resolution establishing a high school continuation program. The board may specify the time and place where such courses are available, the contribution and expenditure of funds, the use of buildings and equipment, and such other matters as the board desires to include.

(2) In the case of jointly operated programs, each participating board of education shall adopt a resolution. Each such resolution, adopted by two or more boards establishing a jointly operated program, shall designate one of the participating boards to be responsible for administering the program and for receiving and disbursing funds for the benefit of all participating boards of education.

(3) A copy of each resolution establishing a high school continuation program shall be filed with the office of career-technical and adult education, Ohio department of education, at least fifteen days prior to the beginning of the term or semester in which the program is to become operational. Such resolutions are to be accompanied by any additional information requested by said office.

(4) By the first day of September of each program year, participating districts shall file the list of assurances required by the department of education with the office of career-technical and adult education, Ohio department of education.

(B) The board of education of each city, exempted village, and local school district shall grant equivalent adult high school credits to eligible adults who reside in the district. Each district board of education shall establish procedures for granting equivalent adult high school credits, in accordance with rule 3301-43-03 of the Administrative Code.

(C) Each board of education of a city, exempted village, and local school district shall grant a diploma of adult education to any applicant who meets the criteria established in accordance with rule 3301-43-05 of the Administrative Code.

(D) An applicant for the diploma of adult education will be required to have attained sufficient high school credits, including equivalent adult credits earned pursuant to rule 3301-43-04 of the Administrative Code, to qualify as having successfully completed the curriculum established by the district for graduation.

(E) Within thirty days of adopting procedures for awarding equivalent adult credits and at least annually thereafter, the district board of education shall announce to the general public the availability of the diploma of adult education and shall notify the office of career-technical and adult education, Ohio department of education. Such announcements may include the eligibility requirements and the application procedures necessary for earning equivalent adult high school credits.

Last updated April 22, 2021 at 8:18 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3301.07, 3313.531, 3313.611
Amplifies: 3313.531, 3313.611 , 3303.01
Five Year Review Date: 4/22/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 12/1/1969

Rule 3301-43-03 | Eligibility criteria for adult high school continuation and earning equivalent adult high school credit.

• Effective: April 22, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) To be eligible for enrollment in the high school continuation program, as defined in paragraph (A) of rule 3301-43-01 of the Administrative Code, and pursuant to section 3313.531 of the Revised Code, an individual shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Is sixteen years of age or older, who has not received a certificate or diploma pursuant to section 3313.61 or 3313.611 of the Revised Code, and who is not otherwise enrolled in a high school for which the state board of education sets standards pursuant to section 3301.07 of the Revised Code; or,

(2) Is a student who has not received a certificate or diploma pursuant to section 3313.61 or 3313.611 of the Revised Code, who is at least eighteen years old, and who is being readmitted to school following expulsion or commitment to the department of youth services as authorized by the superintendent of the school district.

(B) To be eligible for an equivalent adult high school credit as defined in paragraph (B) of rule 3301-43-01 of the Administrative Code and section 3313.611 of the Revised Code, an applicant shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Is at least twenty-two years of age;

(2) Is a resident of the district; and

(3) Has not been issued a certificate or diploma as provided in section 3313.61 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 22, 2021 at 8:19 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3301.07, 3313.531, 3313.611
Amplifies: 3313.531, 3313.611
Five Year Review Date: 4/22/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/1972

Rule 3301-43-04 | Program elements, basis for awarding adult high school credits.

• Effective: April 22, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The district board of education that operates a high school continuation program shall grant credit to a student who successfully completes one of the following:

(1) One half high school credit shall be granted for a minimum of sixty clock hours of instruction;

(2) One high school credit shall be granted for a minimum of one hundred twenty clock hours of instruction; or

(3) An appropriate unit of high school credit shall be granted for an educational option approved by the district superintendent in accordance with board of education policy, with the provisions of paragraph (B)(6) of rule 3301-35-01 of the Administrative Code, and with provisions of paragraph (G) of rule 3301-35-06 of the Administrative Code.

(B) In accordance with procedures established pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (C) of this rule, the board of education of a city, exempted village, or local school district may award equivalent adult high school credit for successful completion of the following:

(1) Any educational option that is provided by the district in accordance with the provisions of rule 3301-35-01 of the Administrative Code and rule 3301-35-06 of the Administrative Code; or

(2) Any portfolio including a compilation and documentation of life experiences which, upon evaluation by appropriately certificated staff, demonstrates the applicant's mastery of competencies that the district board of education has approved as equivalent to those attained in a classroom setting. Such experiences may include one or more of the following:

(a) Work experience;

(b) Experience as a volunteer;

(c) Completion of an academic, career-technical, or self improvement course offered by a chartered public or nonpublic school or by any organization, institution, or educational institution other than a chartered public or nonpublic school; and

(d) Other life experiences considered by the district board of education to provide knowledge, learning experiences, and competencies comparable to those attained in a classroom setting.

(C) Prior to evaluating educational and/or life experiences pursuant to paragraph (B) of this rule, the district board of education shall establish procedures for awarding equivalent adult high school credits. Such procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Staff who hold certificates appropriate for the subject in which equivalent credit is granted shall provide instruction and/or evaluate applicant performance in tutorial and independent study programs;

(2) Staff who hold certificates appropriate for the subject in which credit is granted shall evaluate applicant performance in correspondence courses, educational travel, mentor programs, and portfolio development;

(3) Each applicant's learning experiences and competencies shall be evaluated in terms of their equivalence to those experiences and competencies attained through the regular classroom instruction. Such an evaluation shall be based on a review of the following components of the regular classroom program:

(a) Subject objectives;

(b) Instructional activities, materials, and environment; and

(c) Criteria and methods of assessing student performance;

(4) Equivalent adult high school credits awarded pursuant to this rule by any chartered public or nonpublic Ohio high school shall be counted toward the credits an applicant needs for earning the diploma of adult education; and

(5) Equivalent adult high school credits awarded pursuant to this rule shall not be counted toward the credits needed for earning a certificate or diploma issued pursuant to section 3313.61 of the Revised Code.

(D) No more than six equivalent adult high school credits shall be applied toward the credits required for earning the diploma of adult education issued pursuant to section 3313.611 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 22, 2021 at 8:19 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3301.07, 3313.531, 3313.611
Amplifies: 3313.531, 3313.611 , 3303.01
Five Year Review Date: 4/22/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 12/20/1976, 10/1/1990

Rule 3301-43-05 | Criteria for issuing diplomas.

• Effective: April 22, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Applicants who complete the high school curriculum requirements through participation in an approved high school continuation program shall earn a high school diploma pursuant to section 3313.61 of the Revised Code from the district in which the final credit was earned.

(B) Any diploma or certificate issued pursuant to section 3313.61 of the Revised Code to an individual who has earned credits from a chartered public or nonpublic high school and credits from an approved high school continuation program shall adhere to the requirements prescribed by section 3313.61 of the Revised Code.

(C) Any eligible adult shall be awarded the diploma of adult education if all of the following criteria are met:

(1) Is at least twenty-two years old and currently resides in the district;

(2) Has earned at least one-half, but not more than six, equivalent adult high school credits;

(3) Has earned sufficient high school credits as required by the district for completion of the curriculum including equivalent adult high school credits earned in accordance with paragraph (B) of rule 3301-43-04 of the Administrative Code, as well as credits earned while enrolled in a chartered public or nonpublic high school and/or credits earned while enrolled in a high school continuation program; and

(4) Has satisfied all applicable requirements of section 3301.0710 of the Revised Code.

(D) If a district board of education determines that an applicant is not eligible for the diploma of adult education, the board shall inform the applicant of the reason. The district board of education shall provide a list of additional courses and/or any additional criteria which are required for the diploma of adult education.

(E) Any applicant, who is determined not to be eligible for a diploma of adult education, may submit new and/or additional documentation for consideration at any time.

Last updated April 22, 2021 at 8:19 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3301.07, 3313.531, 3313.61, 3313.611
Amplifies: 3313.531, 3313.61, 3313.611 , 3301.0710, 3301.0712
Five Year Review Date: 4/22/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1990

Rule 3301-43-06 | Administering ninth-grade proficiency and Ohio graduation tests to eligible adults.

• Effective: April 22, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Each city, exempted village, and local school district board of education shall make provisions to administer the Ohio graduation test, as appropriate, to any eligible adult who is scheduled to earn a diploma on or after July 1, 1993, pursuant to either section 3313.61 or 3313.611 of the Revised Code, unless such individuals are exempted because of a disability. Such tests shall be administered twice each year in accordance with the provisions of rule 3301-13-02 of the Administrative Code.

(B) Such tests shall be administered twice each year in accordance with the provisions of rule 3301-13-02 of the Administrative Code and in accordance with the requirements of section 3301.0710 of the Revised Code.

(C) The Ohio graduation test administration is limited to those individuals enrolled in a high school continuation program and/or to an eligible adult who has earned at least one-half equivalent adult high school credit.

(D) Although the Ohio graduation test shall be administered to eligible adults on the same days and in the same manner as prescribed for high school students, the district may administer the test to eligible adults in the evening hours.

(E) The Ohio graduation test shall be provided and administered at no cost to the eligible adult student. The state board of education shall provide the test and the scoring. The school district shall administer the test.

(F) All test security provisions included in rule 3301-13-05 of the Administrative Code shall apply. The answer documents will be scored and the results reported in accordance with rule 3301-13-06 of the Administrative Code.

Last updated April 22, 2021 at 8:19 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3301.07, 3313.531, 3313.611
Amplifies: 3313.531, 3313.611 , 3313.61 , 3301.0710, 3301.0712
Five Year Review Date: 4/22/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 5/12/2003

Rule 3301-43-07 | Program reimbursement, adult high school continuation.

• Effective: April 22, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Subsequent to program approval by the department of education, each participating district shall be reimbursed for its high school continuation program, using the following formula:

(1) The number of eligible students completing the course, or the average number of students enrolled and in attendance during the first four weeks, whichever is greater, shall be divided by twelve;

(2) The resulting proportion shall be multiplied by the number of clock hours of instruction offered in the class, with one hundred twenty clock hours being the basis for one credit; and

(3) The resulting number of hours of instruction shall be multiplied by ten dollars.

(B) The reimbursement for a course shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars.

(C) Reimbursement shall be made upon receipt of a voucher filed with the department of education, following completion of the program year.

(D) Tuition may be charged in an amount not to exceed the difference between the actual cost of conducting the course and the amount reimbursed by the state. However, tuition shall not be charged for the attendance of any student who is readmitted to school following expulsion or commitment to the department of youth services, is assigned to a program by the superintendent pursuant to division (C) of section 3313.531 of the Revised Code, and is entitled under section 3313.64 of the Revised Code to attend the schools of the district without payment of tuition.

(E) Students enrolled in courses of a high school continuation program shall not be counted in the average daily membership of the operating, or jointly operating, school district for foundation program payments.

(F) In the event reimbursement claims exceed the appropriation for high school continuation programs, funds will be prorated equitably among the participating districts.

Last updated April 22, 2021 at 8:20 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3301.07, 3313.531
Amplifies: 3313.531
Five Year Review Date: 4/22/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 12/1/1969, 12/20/1976, 1/28/1980, 10/1/1990