SB334 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

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

Summary

SB334 would create a program allowing eligible Alabama high school juniors and seniors to take all college courses at a public postsecondary institution for high school credit, with state funds paying colleges and no student charges.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a program for eligible 11th- and 12th-grade students to enroll in all courses at an eligible public college or similar institution and receive high school credit toward graduation. The Department of Education would pay the college costs for participating students, up to the lesser of tuition/fees or the local school system’s equivalent instructional value, with a one-time Education Trust Fund appropriation in the first year and ongoing state funding thereafter. Colleges may not charge students for these courses, and credits earned would count toward graduation with transcripts showing the earned credits; regulations and testing requirements would be established, and there are penalties for false statements to obtain payments. The bill also notes that it would involve a new or increased local expenditure but includes constitutional exceptions that could allow it to take effect without a local vote.

Who It Affects

• Eligible high school students (11th and 12th graders who are unconditionally admitted to a public postsecondary institution) who would earn high school credits and potentially a diploma through college courses.
• Local school systems, which must provide counseling, information, forms, and coordination with eligible institutions and handle transcript and diploma processes.
• Public postsecondary institutions (colleges and universities) that would receive state payments for participating students and cannot charge these students for the coursework.
• Parents or guardians, who must receive counseling information and sign acknowledgment of responsibilities before participation.
• The Alabama Department of Education, which would administer the program, create regulations, and oversee funding and compliance.
• Taxpayers and local governments, as the program involves state funding and changes to how funds are allocated to schools and institutions.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a program for eligible 11th/12th-grade students to take all courses at an eligible public postsecondary institution and receive high school credit toward graduation.
• Eligibility requires unconditional admission to an eligible Alabama public postsecondary institution; students may not take high school courses while enrolled in the program at the institution.
• The Department of Education pays the participating institution the lesser of the actual tuition/fees or the amount the student would have earned in the local school system for equivalent instruction; a one-time Education Trust Fund appropriation funds the first year, with ongoing payments thereafter.
• Institutions cannot charge participating students for coursework taken under the program; the payment is considered full payment.
• Credits earned are counted toward graduation and included on the high school transcript; the State Board of Education approves courses comparable to state-approved courses.
• The program requires counseling and information sharing with students and parents, forms, and signatures acknowledging responsibilities before participation.
• The Board may increase the records fee by up to 4% annually; a specific conversion of college credits to high school units is defined (e.g., 1-2 semester hours equal .5 credit).
• Criminal penalties exist for anyone who misrepresents information to enable improper payments under the program.

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