The Hudson School Board has officially adopted a revised policy governing Advanced Course Work, Advanced Placement opportunities, and the district’s participation in the STEM Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. The vote came during the Board’s most recent meeting, following several weeks of review and updates to align the policy with state law and current academic offerings. The policy is designed to broaden access to advanced academic pathways for Hudson students while clarifying expectations for administrators, counselors, and families. District officials said the revisions were needed to ensure consistency with state standards, improve communication about available programs, and outline the responsibilities of both the district and the Community College System of New Hampshire, which partners with schools statewide on dual-credit opportunities.
The policy reaffirms that any student who is capable of and wishes to take advanced coursework or AP classes “should be permitted to do so.” It also requires the district to help students find alternatives if a desired course is not offered at Alvirne High School. According to the policy, if advanced coursework or AP classes are not available within the district, administrators or school counselors must assist students in identifying alternative ways to take such classes or earn related credit. Those options may include Dual and Concurrent Enrollment courses, classes at another public or private school, remote learning, Extended Learning Opportunities, or other approved pathways. While credit may be awarded for these courses, the district will not cover tuition, fees, or other associated costs, which fall to the student and family unless otherwise provided by state programs.
A major portion of the revised policy focuses on the STEM Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program, which allows qualified students in grades 10 through 12 to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. These courses are offered through the Community College System of New Hampshire and include STEM and STEM-related subjects, as well as Career and Technical Education coursework. The policy notes that there is no limit to the number of credits a student may earn in a year; however, under RSA 188E:27, II, the state only covers the cost of up to four credits annually. Any credits beyond that threshold must be paid for by the student. District officials said the program has become increasingly popular as students look for ways to reduce future college costs and explore career focused coursework while still in high school.
The revised policy also outlines the responsibilities of the Superintendent or designee in overseeing the program. This includes coordinating agreements with the Community College System and ensuring that all program requirements are met. The Superintendent must appoint a point of contact to assist students and families with counseling, academic planning, support services, course scheduling, registration, program evaluation, transferability of credits, and assistance with online courses. The policy further requires the Superintendent to establish detailed regulations governing the program, including compliance with CCSNH educational standards, ensuring courses meet the same rigor as those offered on CCSNH campuses, meeting accreditation standards set by the National Alliance for Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, establishing eligibility criteria for students, setting standards for course content and faculty approval, defining coordination and communication expectations, addressing tuition, fees, textbooks, grading, data collection, record keeping, revenue reporting, and agreement renewal, requiring annual notification to students and parents about program opportunities, and clarifying how dual-credit courses align with Career Readiness Credentials under Board policy IKFG.
