SB246 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Schools, dual enrollment, high school students taking college courses, authorized

Summary

SB246 would create a program for eligible high school juniors and seniors to take all courses at Alabama public colleges or universities for high school credit, with state funds covering the costs and no charges to students.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a program for eligible 11th- or 12th-grade students admitted unconditionally to an Alabama public postsecondary institution to take all their courses there and earn high school credit toward graduation. The Department of Education would pay the participating institution the lesser of the actual tuition/fees or the amount the student would have earned in the local school system, minus a $200 records fee. Institutions may not charge the student for postsecondary coursework, and credits earned would count toward graduation and appear on the high school transcript. Regulations would be set by the Department, and there are criminal penalties for improper payments; students and parents must receive counseling before participating; the bill includes provisions about diploma eligibility and related administration.

Who It Affects

• Eligible 11th- or 12th-grade students who participate, as they would complete all college courses for high school credit and potentially shorten time to graduation.
• Local school systems and public colleges/universities, which would coordinate counseling, credit transfer, and funding, with payments made by the Department of Education and specific administrative rules governing the program.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a program for eligible 11th/12th-grade students to take all courses at an eligible Alabama public postsecondary institution and earn secondary (high school) credit toward graduation.
• The Department of Education would pay participating institutions the lesser of actual tuition/fees or the local school-system-equivalent value, minus a $200 administration records fee; institutions may not charge students.
• Credits earned are counted toward graduation and recorded on the high school transcript; the board approves eligible courses that are substantially comparable to state-approved courses, excluding remedial or similar courses.
• Students enrolled in the program are considered students of the postsecondary institution and may not take high school courses elsewhere during enrollment; counseling and information must be provided to students and families before participation.
• The Department shall promulgate regulations; there are criminal penalties for false statements or improper payments to ensure program integrity; no additional state financial aid is available for these courses.
• The act contains an exception from local funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends crime definitions; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor action.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Board of Education, State