Section 3
Running Start Program: Questions & Answers

Transcript Information (T)

TQ-1: When a student in Running Start drops a class at the college, and receives a "W" on their college transcript, should the high school post the grade as an "F" on the high school transcript?

Ans: It must be posted as a "W" on the high school transcript.

TQ-2: If a Running Start student fails to pay his fees to a college, but otherwise completes the coursework satisfactorily, can the college withhold his grades? Can the student be prevented from graduating from high school?

Ans: The answer to the first question lies in the applicable policy of the particular institution. The answer to the second question is no. The failure to pay college fees related to the earning of college credit via Running Start is separate from the issue of whether the student satisfactorily met the course requirements to pass and apply the earned credits toward high school graduation. The college is limited to withholding the student's grades only pertaining to issuing the student's college transcript. In the situation described above, the high school counselor and the Running Start coordinator at the college must communicate with one another in order for the high school to be apprised of the student's grade. It is possible for a student to receive high school credit, but not college credit, in the situation described.

TQ-3: Are all Running Start courses shown on the high school transcript?

Ans: WAC 392-169-015 states that Running Start is, "for the purpose of earning at least high school credit to be awarded by a school district, and such additional college level or university level credit as may be awarded by the institution of higher education." Therefore, Running Start courses do need to be recorded on the transcript.

TQ-4: How does the high school transcribe a grade from a college class through Running Start if the college uses a different grading scale than the high school? (e.g., the college bases a B- on a 2.6 and the high school uses 2.7). Will the student have different grades on the high school and college transcripts?

Ans: It is possible that the respective transcripts will show different grades. However, the high school transcript needs to record the grade in compliance with WAC 180-57-050. The high school would transcribe the grade appropriate to the rules for K-12 and the college would transcribe the grade appropriate to its policy.

TQ-5: Can a transcript be altered for a student who took an AP class, but did not take the test, to indicate an Honors class rather than an AP class?

Ans: This is a local decision. State Board rules are silent on the issue.

TQ-6: Students seem to be disadvantaged by taking high school honor classes rather than College-in-the-High School or Running Start courses. Does the SBE have a policy regarding this?

Ans: No. The issue is one of course delivery, a matter over which the State Board has no jurisdiction. A college representative comments: There are different advantages and disadvantages to each route. Many highly selective colleges will not recognize College-In-The-High School or Running Start credits, but look favorably on honors classes.

TQ-7: Should a school/district award dual credit to a student who successfully completes a College in the High School class?

Ans: "Yes." If the student passes the class and earns the credits, the transcript must record the high school credit earned. The college credit that is earned is recorded on the transcript of the college the student will attend, subject to that institution's credit recognition policy.