Overview
ASCENT stands for Accelerating Students through Concurrent ENrollmenT. Students who have completed at least 12 credit hours of postsecondary course prior to completion of his/her 12th grade year may be eligible for the ASCENT Program. They remain students in their Local Education Provider (LEP) for one year following their 12th grade year, and the LEP receives ASCENT specific per-pupil state funding that it uses to pay their college tuition at the resident community college rate. Students receive their high-school diplomas at the end of their ASCENT year. [C.R.S. § 22-35-108]
2018-19 ASCENT Slot Requests Process
- CDE will not require districts to submit a list of eligible students. However, it is highly recommended that each district/school maintain its own list/documentation.
- November 12, 2018 is the deadline to notify CDE to decrease your new slot request.
Who can request ASCENT slots?
- Local Education Providers
- Districts
- BOCES
- District Charter Schools*
- Institute Charter Schools
*CDE, on behalf of the Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Board, recommends that is a school district is participating in ASCENT, a district charter school within that district should request ASCENT slots within their authorizing district.
ASCENT slots are not the same as headcount:
- 1 ASCENT slot = 1 full-time OR 2 part-time students
- Full-time = 12+ Postsecondary credit hours in fall semester
- Part-time = 3-11 Postsecondary credit hours in fall semester
- Example: 4 students interested in ASCENT
- 2 full-time (= 2 slots)
- 2 part-time (= 1 slot)
- Request 3 ASCENT slots total
- Home study students enrolled in ASCENT are only eligible for part-time funding
Students should continue to pursue Postsecondary opportunities:
-
Submitting request does NOT guarantee full funding of request
- Helps to determine if ASCENT is best fit for student, both financially and in alignment with postsecondary goals
- Research career and/or military opportunities
- Apply to relevant postsecondary institutions/programs
- Apply for eligible scholarships
- COMPLETE THE FAFSA!
- USDOE Federal Student Aid resources
Resources
2018-19 ASCENT Program Webinar Recording
2018-19 ASCENT Webinar Presentation
If you have questions, please contact Mary Anne Hunter at Hunter_Mary@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6596.
ASCENT Eligibility
A student is eligible for ASCENT if the student:
- Has completed, or is on schedule to complete, at least 12 credit hours (semester hours or equivalent) of transcripted, credit-bearing, college-level postsecondary coursework* prior to completing his/her 12th grade year. Remedial/developmental education college courses do not qualify as part of the 12 required credits.
- Is college ready, and not in need of basic skills coursework in accordance with the pathway in which he/she enrolls.
- Completes an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) prior to declaring intent to participate in ASCENT.
- Applies to and is accepted into a postsecondary degree program at a qualified Colorado institution of higher education.
- Has been selected for participation by his/her high school principal or equivalent school administrator.
- Has not been designated an ASCENT program participant in any prior year (can only participate in ASCENT for 1 academic year).
* Does not include International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Education Program (CLEP), prior learning, or experiential courses, unless these exams/experiences have been converted to transcripted credits on a college transcript. See ASCENT Q&A for Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
ASCENT Guidelines & Resources
- Graduation Rate Reporting-HB17-1294: OPR Guidance (Revised 1/12/18)
- AP Courses/ASCENT Q&A (Updated May 2018)
- Student October Count Attendance Requirements: Concurrent Enrollment & ASCENT
- ASCENT Training for Pupil Count Coordinators - Field Analyst Support Team (FAST)
- ASCENT Guidelines (Updated May, 2018)
- ASCENT Fact Sheet (2015-16)
- ASCENT Map (2015-16)
ASCENT Allocation Model
The Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Board developed a system to allocate ASCENT slots to local education providers (LEP) fairly in the case that the number of qualified students exceeds the number of funded slots:
Currently participating LEPs will receive a minimum number of ASCENT slots equal to those utilized by students during the current school year.
- New LEPs will receive up to 10 slots for the first year or the number requested if less than 10
- If additional spaces are available, half the remaining slots will be distributed via the LEPs free and reduced lunch (FRL) rate as a proration
- The other half of remaining slots will be proportionally distributed based on LEP size, to LEPs that did not receive spaces under the FRL distribution
- Unused spaces may be returned to the general pool and reallocated to LEPs, based on appeal
Promising Practices
Some of our districts have graciously shared their Concurrent Enrollment and ASCENT practices and materials. We encourage others to share best practices/materials. Please contact Mary Anne Hunter to post your material.
ASCENT websites:
- Aurora Public Schools
- District 49
- Northeastern Junior College - Difference between High School and College
- Poudre School District ASCENT
Contact
Mary Anne Hunter
Phone: 303-866-6596
E-mail:Hunter_Mary@cde.state.co.us
