Consider Policy to Discourage Abuse of Dual Enrollment Option

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The Legislature recently amended the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act (PSEOA), MCL 388.520, et seq., and the Career and Technical Preparation Act, MCL 388.1904, et seq. Generally, these amendments expand the rights of students to enroll in post-secondary institutions at school district expense. The Michigan Department of Education published a Q&A, dated August 30, 2012 (click here for a the most recent version), addressing the most common issues likely to arise as a result of the amendments.

In light of the amendments, school districts may wish to consider adopting or amending dual enrollment policies to address, among other things, a student’s failure to reimburse the school district if the student fails to successfully complete a course for which the school district has paid. Such a policy provision is contemplated by Section 4(9) of the State School Aid Act, which provides, in pertinent part:

"(9) For an eligible student who is enrolled in a school district and who enrolls in an eligible course under this act, if the student does not complete the eligible course or, if the student enrolls in an eligible course for postsecondary credit only and the student does not successfully complete the eligible course, as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution, and if the school district has paid money for the course on behalf of the student, all of the following apply:

(a) The eligible postsecondary institution shall forward to the school district any funds that are refundable due to noncompletion of the course. The school district shall then forward to the eligible student any refunded money in excess of the amount paid by the school district for the course on behalf of the eligible student.

(b) The eligible student shall repay to the school district any funds that were expended by the school district for the course that are not refunded to the school district by the eligible postsecondary institution. If the eligible student does not repay this money, the school district may impose sanctions against the eligible student as determined by school district policy. This subdivision does not apply to an eligible student who does not complete the course due to a family or medical emergency, as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution."

MCL 388.514(9) (emphasis added).

The negative implication of the highlighted language is the school district may not be able to impose sanctions in the absence of such a policy.