Why was the PSO Program was established?
1.) To permit 9th through 12th grade high school students to earn college and high school credits through successful completion of college courses. ( Senate Bills 140 & 215)

2.) To provide opportunities for qualified high school students to experience course work beyond those courses offered at their present high school and to work at the college or university level. Students participating in PSO are still Perrysburg High School students and can participate in all athletic and social activities, but due to participation in the program those opportunities may be limited.

The Guidelines for Participation in the PSO program.
A. Districts notify students and parents of the program and the options available. Students must then indicate to their counselor their intent to participate by signing the Parent Waiver Form and submitting it to the guidance secretary by March 30, 2009. Failure to do so by this date will make them ineligible to participate.

B. Each college (BGSU, Owens, Lourdes and U.T.) sets its own requirements for participating in this program. As a general guideline, students must have at least a Grade Point Average of a 3.0 overall before even considering the program. They must also have a 3.0 grade point average in the subject in which they wish to take a PSO class. Along with meeting the college’s grade point average, students may also have to take additional testing to qualify at that college. Each college’s specific entrance requirements will be listed later in this document.

C. The PSO Program has two different options “A” & “B”.

Option “A” permits eligible students to enroll in college courses for college credit only and students electing this option will be required to pay for all costs incurred, including tuition, books and fees.

Option “B” permits eligible students to enroll in college courses for college and high school credit. Students electing this option will not be required to pay for tuition, books and fees.

D. Possible RISKS and CONSEQUENCES of participating in the program.

1. Since a student will have increased responsibility for learning it increases the possibility of failure of a course which could result in parents having to reimburse Perrysburg Schools for the course if a failing grade is earned.

2. If a student fails a course it may affect graduation.

3. Many times scheduling can be an issue because the class at the college may be offered at the same time another one of your courses at the high school is offered.

4. In some cases the college classes end up being full and the student did not secure a full schedule when registering for class at the high school.

5. One big factor to consider is that the college school year schedule is different than that of Perrysburg High Schools. Many times Christmas and Spring Breaks do not coincide and therefore you may have to forfeit your vacation plans. Attendance is still mandatory when taking college courses.

6. Transportation to and from the college is the students and parents responsibility. You need also to plan for increased travel time to and from the college and the increased time needed to study.

7. Many times safety issues come up for students attending college classes and Perrysburg Schools is not responsible for students while on college campuses.

8. If a class requires calculators, tools, cameras, art supplies or any other additional supplies they are not covered by the school district.

9. Transferring credits from college credits to Carnegie units sometimes can require additional college coursework to meet graduation requirements.

10. Academic and social situations that arise when attending the university is solely the students and parents responsibility.

11. Students who need support services while participating in PSO should inquire about those services at the institution they are attending.

12. Students cannot enroll in nonsectarian courses.

13. College level courses are more challenging academically and may affect your GPA and class rank, which also could affect scholarship opportunities.

14. Once a student starts the college course they cannot drop the course after a few weeks and then expect to replace that same course mid-stream back at their high school.

15.If students need help with college courses, they are to seek the help at the college resource centers and not at their high school.

16. Many times students may experience some social discomfort when older students are in the same classes.

17. It is also recommended that students talk with the college they plan on attending after graduation and ask them how that college evaluates the PSO class(s) in their college application process.

18. The grades earned at the Post Secondary institution will be averaged into the student’s grade point average at the high school. This may change class rank, or eligibility for honors, recognition and/ or scholarships.

19. If a student fails to complete the Post Secondary courses because they drop the course or fail to attend, Perrysburg School’s policy requires that parents repay the school for all expenses.

20. Credits earned cannot exceed all available periods during the official school day.

21. Home schooled children are not eligible for Post Secondary.

22. If a student withdraws from a PSO class, parents will be responsible for the fee charged by the colleges for withdrawing from that class. This fee is based on the colleges, withdrawal fee at that time.

23. Any collegiate English class needs approval from the guidance department before it is taken as a PSO class.

24. Physical Education classes can only be taken as an elective credit. NO physical education classes serve to replace the high school classes.

25. To be considered a full-time PSO student, a student must be registered and completing five (5) semester college classes.

Listings of PSO courses students have taken at various Universities.
(Remember, those courses you select should be tied directly to your Career Pathway.)

It is highly recommended that students do not try to meet their four credits of English required for graduation through the PSO Program. To meet graduation requirements the PSO curriculum must match the curriculum taught at the class level they wish to substitute. Students can elect to take additional English electives through the PSO Program. This also holds true for Physical Education.

Understanding Credits
College’s award semester credits based on hours and how these hours convert to Carnegie credits needed for graduation is outlined below.

Steps to follow if you decide to participate.
1. After parents and students review program summary, parents then need to sign the waiver and return it to the guidance office by March 30, 2009.

2. Students then need to pick up the application in the guidance office for the college(s) they plan on applying to and you need to make sure to meet the required deadlines and fees if applicable.

3. Return the completed application to the guidance office. If your counselor needs to complete information on the application then make an appointment. Remember, watch application deadlines because you need to have them into the guidance office one week prior to the actual date they are due to allow guidance time to mail the application to the college(s).

4. In a few weeks you will receive notice of acceptance/denial from the college to which you applied. If you are accepted then you may need to complete some placement tests if required and then you meet with the admission staff to schedule your coursework. The college will assist you and your parents with the appropriate course selection and they base it on your high school transcript, credits needed for graduation, career goals and any testing that may have been done.

5. Once you have your schedule you then need to meet with your guidance counselor and work on your semester schedule. It is always best to talk with your counselor prior to meeting with the college so you know your scheduling options for the courses you want to take at Perrysburg.

Updated: Tue, Feb 5, 2008