Running Start Program

Running Start Program is a Washington State program that allows high school students in their 11th and 12th-grade years to attend college-level classes at a local college with free tuition. The student who participates in the Running Start program can earn dual credits, which means the grade and credits earned for both high school and college. All Issaquah School District Running Start students continue to be ISD students and can continue participating in sports, clubs, and activities/events at their high school. Running Start students can still have access to high school counselors for mental health and academic support.

The colleges which most Issaquah School District students attend for Running Start program include:

• Bellevue College

• Central Washington University –Sammamish Campus

• Renton Technical College

• Lake Washington Institute of Technology

• Green River Community College

• Other options may exist – students can talk to their high school counselor.

There are three quarters per year at the colleges: Fall quarter (late September to December), Winter Quarter (January to March), and Spring Quarter (March to late June). Students can choose to take either a full-time Running Start Program or a part-time Running Start Program schedule. A full-time schedule means students take three 5-credit college classes, a total of 15 credits each quarter (15 college credits = 3 high school credits). A part-time schedule means students take some high school classes at the high school and some Running Start classes at the college. Some college classes meet every day, while others meet 2 or 3 times per week. Students can take any class offered by a college, but need to prioritize a plan for meeting graduation requirements. For some classes, students may need to meet prerequisites or score a certain level on the placement test to be eligible (check each college course catalog and talk with a high school counselor).

• A 5-credit college quarter class = 1.0 high school credit (a full-year high school class)

• A 3-credit college quarter class = 0.5 high school credit (a semester high school class)

Class schedules in college are different from high school. College classes’ start times can vary, some can start as early as 6:30 AM, and others can start as late as nearly 10 PM. Classes may be held in person, online, or hybrid. Each quarter the class selection and class schedule may vary. There are no separate classes for Running Start students, so they will learn alongside students aged between 16 to 40+. Running Start students can make a class schedule that works best for them within the limits of space availability.

The full-time Running Start program pays for up to 15 college credits per quarter. Students can take more credits than the Running Start program will cover but have to pay tuition themselves for the additional credits. Part-time Running Start students need to consult with the high school counselor because the number of college credits available for part-time students can vary. The program will not pay for text fees, any class fees (if applicable for the class like art supplies or automotive class at Renton Technical College), or incidental costs (meals or parking). Students can apply for financial aid at the college for the cost of textbooks and fees, etc. There will not be any transportation provided by the program or the District. Students need to use their own transportation method to get themselves between the college and home (all students under age 18 have access to a free ORCA bus pass).

Running Start students need to take college-level classes that are 100-level or higher:

• English begins with ENGL101; many composition and literature options are available.

• Social Studies has specific courses that can meet World, Civics, US History, and NW Studies requirements. Several additional Social Science departments are available (Psychology, Sociology, Geography, Political Science, etc.)

• Math includes college level math that is above Algebra 2. This means students need to complete Algebra 2 in the high school before taking a math class in the Running Start program.

• Science students need to be ready for college-level curriculum and pacing. There are many science departments; check for prerequisites at the college. Students who choose Chemistry and Physics may need to demonstrate a level of math proficiency.

Check each college’s course catalog or ask the high school counselor for courses/department/class availability. (**School Counselors provide an equivalency sheet that explains which college courses will meet each high school graduation requirement. Not all colleges have an offering for every graduation requirement.)

College quarters do not align with high school semesters. Students need to make a year-long commitment. This means there is little flexibility to make big changes. If students choose to participate part-time in the Running Start program, they need to register for college classes that do not conflict with their high school schedule each quarter. This requires flexibility, planning, and timely action. Students need to be mindful of the travel time needed between the high school and the college. They also need to communicate with college professors and high school teachers in the event of a schedule conflict, which should be very rare.

Issaquah School District has many students who are very successful in the Running Start program. Some traits that help students be successful in Running Start:

• Organized and aware of deadlines for homework, class registration, tuition, etc.

• Flexible in finding and scheduling classes based on what is needed to graduate and adjusting plans when a certain class is full.

• Committed to attending classes regularly and on time.

• Disciplined and self-motivated, without family or high school intervention.

• Independently responsible for their own schoolwork, grades, and progress.

• Ready to work independently in an adult setting, with older peers, and with less teacher support.

• Ready for transportation like driving self, taking the bus, carpooling, or family rides.

During the Running Start Program, students must independently:

• Apply for this program.

• Initiate a meeting with a high school counselor to plan which classes to take.

• Bring the form to a school counselor to sign each quarter. This pays the tuition, and students cannot register without it.

• Register for classes on time and find classes they want/need at times that work for their schedule.

• Plan and be aware of important dates (e.g., start of quarter, enrollment deadlines, etc.)

• Regularly READ email communication from the college and the high school.

• Identify when they need support from the college and then use them.

• Schedule to meet with a high school counselor each quarter to ensure they are on track to graduate.

The high school counselor specifies needed graduation requirements, which college classes meet them, and can offer suggestions about other college class options. They sign the enrollment (RSEVF) form each quarter so the high school can pay tuition for the Running Start students. (The student must schedule an appointment and bring the form, then submit the form to the college.) Students must submit a signed RSEVF form for the college to receive the tuition. For example, if the student did not turn in the winter quarter form, the high school wouldn’t pay the winter quarter tuition. Once the college sends college grades to the high school, they will add them to the high school transcript. (All RST grades received must be entered on the high school transcript by state law.) School counselors do not have access to the college at all. They can support students in completing their tasks but do not have any access or power to do it for them.

IMPORTANT: When students participate in the Running Start program at the local college, keep in mind that the college only communicates with the student (not the high school or families) regarding registration, deadlines, or performance. Running Start students are considered regular college students and receive no special treatment. The college does NOT share attendance, grades in progress, student behavior, information, etc., with either the school or parents. The Running Start students have access to college support services. At the end of each quarter, the college will send final grades to the high school. The high school has no insight into how a student is doing – they only receive the final grades for the classes.

Throughout the years, Running Start students have reported some challenges and surprises:

• Classes are fast-paced since one 5-credit class covers a whole year of the high school curriculum.

• Classes have more homework/ reading than high school courses.

• Students are often reluctant to contact the college office for assistance.

• Students do not always realize they can meet with college advisors for guidance on college pathways and requirements.

• College is on a quarter system, and high school is on a semester system. This means the breaks and vacations (except winter break in December) will not line up.

• Students cannot drop out of a class and sign up for high school class easily.

The families of Running Start students need to keep in mind that the Running Start classes are not on high school Canvas, and the attendance won’t be on Family Access. Students are responsible for sharing progress and grades with families. After each quarter, families can check Family Access to see final grades once they are posted. This may take a few weeks to appear. High School transcripts will include the final grades once posted.

If the students have IEPs or 504s, they must apply with the college. The college determines supports on their own campus. Students should contact the college’s disability services office well in advance of any published deadlines to apply. The college may require documentation as a part of the application. For students with an IEP, start by discussing Running Start with the high school IEP team well in advance. The IEP team can provide additional support and guidance.

High school students who have not decided yet should select a full high school schedule of classes for next year during the course request process. Requests can be adjusted later once students have successfully registered for the Running Start Fall quarter.

Meet with a high school counselor to discuss options, or visit a Running Start program to learn more!

• Issaquah High School: https://sites. google.com/site/ishscounseling/RST

• Skyline High School: https:// sites.google.com/site/ spartancounselingcenter/runningstart-1

• Liberty High School: https:// sites.google.com/view/lhscounseling/running-startinformation?authuser=0

• OSPI Running Start FAQs August 2021: https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/ default/files/public/ossi/k12supports/ pubdocs/Running-Start-FAQs.pdf

• Bellevue College: https://www. bellevuecollege.edu/runningstart/

• Central Washington University –Sammamish Campus: http://www. cwu.edu/sammamish/cwu-runningstart-program

• Renton Technical College: https:// www.lwtech.edu/academics/highschool/running-start/

• Lake Washington Institute of Technology: https://rtc.edu/runningstart

• Green River Community College: https://www.greenriver.edu/students/ academics/running-start/