January 30, 2006

To High School Student and/or Parent/Guardian:

This letter is to inform you about a new educational option called Expanded Options Program that is being offered at the district in addition to the regular high school program.

The Eugene School District 4J is dedicated to closing the achievement gap and providing the highest quality educational programs for its students. We are committed to helping all of our secondary students attain a high school diploma or its equivalent, and we strive to prepare them for the challenges of life beyond high school.

Listed below are educational options being offered in 4J, in addition to our regular educational high school program.
• Expanded Options Program -- This is a new program that provides 4J students who are at least 16 years old or in grades 11 or 12 and have not received a diploma an opportunity to take college courses at school district expense while enrolled in high school. Our highest priority in this effort is to assist eligible students, who qualify for free and reduced lunch and students who have dropped out of school, earn college credits. Payment for tuition, textbooks, equipment and materials are the responsibility of the school district. Eligible students can earn college credits provided they meet the following criteria:
• Meet with their high school counselor and complete an educational learning plan.
• Apply and must be accepted by the college they want to attend.
• May enroll only in “eligible college courses” through the Expanded Options Program that are not offered at high school, and the courses must support their educational learning plan.
• College Now -- A dual credit program partnership with Lane Community College (LCC) allowing students to earn college credits through identified high school courses. Last year over 4,000 college credits were earned by 4J high school students while attending high school.
• Duck Link Program -- A program through the University of Oregon for juniors and seniors who have taken the highest level course offered in a subject area at the high school level. Eligible students receive regular UO credit, which can be applied to their high school graduation requirements.
• Regional Technical Education Consortium, (RTEC) -- A collaborative effort through LCC to provide students rigorous and relevant professional technical training according to industry standards and community needs. RTEC enables students to pursue industry-aligned coursework and prepares them for high skill, competitive wage careers that meet regional economic development needs for a quality workforce.
• Advanced Placement (AP) -- College level AP courses are offered at each high school. Students must pass the exam at the standard specified in order to receive college credit. This option allows students to earn credit or advanced placement at most of the nation’s colleges and universities and in 28 other countries.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) -- The IB Program is a rigorous, pre-university course of study that meets the needs of the highly motivated secondary school student. The IB Program consists of an IB diploma and certificates that enable students to earn college credits in universities and colleges all over the world. All candidates are required to engage in the study of languages, sciences, mathematics, social studies, and literature during the final two years of their secondary schooling.

It is important to know the following limitations about the Expanded Options Program in Eugene schools:
• This program is available to any 4J student who is in grade 11 and 12 or who is 16 years of age or older. Priority will be given to eligible students who are in financial need and those who have dropped out of school.
• Students may attend college half or full-time but cannot have a full high school schedule while in the program.
• Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress at both high school and college while in the program.
• Students who do not attend or pass the college courses they have signed up for will be dropped from the program.
• Students must provide their own transportation.
• Foreign exchange students under cultural exchange program are ineligible to participate.
• “Eligible post-secondary institution” means a community college, state university and the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).
• Students and/or their parent/guardian must notify their HS counselor by March 1, 2006 if they wish to enroll in the program for the 2006-07 academic school year beginning September 1, 2006. (Course offerings will be made available later this spring.)

For more information about any of the educational opportunities listed above including the Expanded Options Program, please contact your student’s high school counselor.

Sincerely,

Sam Tupou
H.S. Curriculum Coordinator
Eugene School District
(541) 687-3351