Updated 4/07/09

State of Hawai‘i Department of Education / University of Hawai‘i System

Running Start

An Overview of Running Start

Envision yourself at high school graduation, knowing that you have already earned six, twelve, or even thirty college credits.

The possibility exists—can you make it real?

Running Start is a statewide program that provides an opportunity for academically qualified juniors and seniors to enroll in college classes through the University of Hawai‘i system as part of their high school coursework. This unique partnership between the Department of Education and the University of Hawai‘i System allows public high school students to attend college classes during the fall, spring, and summer while earning both high school and college credits. Currently, nine UH campuses participate in Running Start: UH Hilo, UH West O‘ahu and the seven community colleges: Hawai‘i CC, Honolulu CC, Kapi‘olani CC, Kaua‘i CC, Leeward CC, Maui CC and Windward CC.

Effective Spring 2008, all UH courses at or above the 100-level are available to Running Start students, provided the student meets any individual course pre-requisites. Click on the "Choosing a Course" link at left to learn more about courses available for enrollment.

The college credits earned by Running Start students are accepted at all ten campuses of the University of Hawai‘i. Students who plan to attend private or mainland universities after high school graduation need to check with the individual institution regarding their acceptance of credit from concurrent enrollment programs such as Running Start.

In order to participate in Running Start, students need to complete the Running Start application form (download available at left), which requires authorization from the student's parent, high school counselor, high school principal and college Running Start counselor. The counselors will review with students the need for placement scores or other pre-requisites, as applicable at the college campus where the student plans to enroll. The high school principal will determine if the college course is fulfilling a specific requirement or an elective requirement for high school graduation.

A limited amount of scholarships are available to students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Click on “Scholarship deadlines and information” at left for more details or see your high school counselor.

The Running Start Program provides the great opportunity of early access to college. Unlike other early access programs, it guarantees both high school and college credit to students who complete their coursework successfully. But along with this opportunity comes equally great responsibility. A student who decides, mid-semester, that s/he is not capable of handling this responsibility runs the risk of not fulfilling high school graduation requirements. It is important for students and parents to review all resource material available at this website and to seek additional information, if needed, from high school or college Running Start counselors before committing to participation.

Who’s Eligible

Any student enrolled in grade 11 or 12 in any public high school in the state of Hawai‘i who:

• Is under the age of 21 as of September 1st of the school year in which the college course is taken.
• Fulfills and complies with college campus requirements such as:
• Admission forms
• Achievement of appropriate math and English levels on placement tests at the CC’s or meeting admissions requirements
• Payment of college tuition and fees
• Maintenance of acceptable academic standing

Goals

Hawai‘i’s Running Start program has numerous goals, including but not limited to:

• Accelerating student educational progress
• Saving taxpayer educational dollars
• Saving family college expenses
• Enriching/expanding educational options for talented and motivated high school students
• Improving articulation linking high school and college curricula
• Providing an alternative educational environment for talented high school students

Beginning College Early

The decision to begin college early is an important one. It is important to consider each student’s maturity level in making choices about educational options. Although a student may be academically prepared for college level coursework, he/she may find the demands of college extremely overwhelming. Student success requires motivated individuals who work independently, take initiative, have good study skills, and are able to responsibly complete assignments throughout the semester.

Parents and students should give careful consideration to the appropriateness of this program before enrolling. Students are starting a permanent college transcript when they take any college classes. High school and college advisors are available to discuss the many options available. Each option has strengths and limitations.

Program Strengths

• Students have the opportunity to take courses that may not be offered at their local high schools
• Academically prepared students have an opportunity to get a head start on taking college level courses and earning high school and college credits simultaneously
• Students have an opportunity to experience post-secondary education while in high school, easing the transition from high school to college and making future educational and career plans more realistic
• Students who have difficulty fitting into a traditional high school setting may flourish in a different educational setting
• Students and their families can reduce the cost of a college education if they qualify for a Gear Up federal scholarship
• In college, high school students gain maturity and knowledge from the participation and diversity of other college students and upper level courses

Program Limitations

• Some academically qualified students may not be ready socially or emotionally for the college environment. They may find the independence and the speed of college classes overwhelming
• High schools provide a social network and social development experiences for teenagers which are not as accessible at the college level
• College schedules may conflict with high school classes or extracurricular activities (sports, drama, clubs, etc.)
• The college academic calendar may operate differently from the high school academic calendar. Holidays and vacation periods are frequently different. Students are expected to attend classes at the college even though their high schools may not be in session. Careful planning must occur in order to avoid conflicts with family, work, and school activities.

What to Expect as a College Student

Once students begin attending college, they will be considered "regular" college students. The faculty will expect the same level of classroom participation and quality of work from all students. Students will be expected to meet class deadlines, be prepared for class, ask questions, and conduct themselves as responsible adults. If students are having difficulty or need additional assistance, it is their responsibility to seek out the instructor. Instructors keep posted office hours when students can come to see them for help or discussion. Appointments can usually be made outside of office hours if students have schedule conflicts.

Class Pace — The academic pace of college classes is faster than in high school. For example, a high school math class that is taught in one year at the high school is taught in one semester at the college. There is little time for faculty to stop and review lessons for students who do not understand the material or were absent from class. However, faculty members encourage students to come to their offices for individual help.

Homework — Many college classes demand an average of 2 hours of homework for each hour of class. Unlike high school, there is no classroom time for homework.

Class Size — Classes can vary in size from 10 to 35 students, with the average class size about 30 students.

Attendance — Some faculty take attendance, others do not. It is the student’s responsibility to be prepared each day of class and meet all deadlines. Some faculty give pop quizzes and expect all papers to be turned in on time with no possibility for make up work.

Class Participation — This is an integral part of college and many faculty require students to participate in classroom discussions. Faculty will provide a syllabus at the beginning of the semester outlining their expectations. It is the student’s responsibility to understand and follow through with these expectations.

Withdrawing/Dropping a Class — Withdrawing from a class may have serious implications on a student’s high school graduation status. To withdraw from a class, students must obtain and fill out the correct form from the college office. A copy of this form should be given to the high school counselor and/or Running Start advisor. Many students believe that if they simply stop attending, they will be withdrawn from the course; this is NOT true as they must officially withdraw by filling out the correct form and informing the proper officials.

Grade Reports — Grades are posted on "My UH Portal" following final exams. Each high school will receive grade reports for their Running Start students and will, in turn, post these credits/grades on each student’s high school transcript according to Department of Education guidelines.

Academic Records — Students successfully completing classes through the Running Start program will receive both high school and college credit. Grades received become part of their permanent college transcript.

Academic Standards — The University of Hawai‘i has an Academic Standards Policy. Students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average each semester. Students whose GPA falls below a 2.0 for any one semester will be placed on academic alert. Students face dismissal from the college if they are academically deficient. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for college graduation.

Costs — Tuition and some other costs can be paid for with funds provided by the GEAR UP Hawai‘i program if the student qualifies. If not, then all college expenses (tuition, books, lab fees, transportation, etc.) are the responsibility of the Running Start student.

Parking — To park a vehicle on campus, students need to obtain a parking sticker from the Parking/Security office. A small fee may be charged for this privilege.

Parent’s Access to Student Records — It is the policy of the University of Hawai‘i to regard Running Start students as "regular college students." The colleges are adult learning communities and students are treated accordingly. Colleges are not allowed to give information regarding a student’s attendance or progress to parents without the student’s written permission. In addition, faculty will not discuss the student’s progress without written permission. The college is released to give academic information to high school counselors or administrators if necessary.

Transferring to Another College or University — College credits are transferable to all University of Hawai‘i campuses and to most private colleges in the state, according to the guidelines of each institution. It is important for students to consult with college admissions representatives and university advisors as early as possible. Students should contact out-of-state colleges on an individual basis for their policy on accepting Running Start credits.

Course offerings and their codes

The Department of Education assigns Authorized Course Code Numbers (ACCN) to all courses offered in its schools including Running Start courses. Students will receive both ACCN credit and college credits for each course completed successfully. Registrars will receive from the college campuses a list of students who successfully complete the courses. DOE registrars will create a label to affix to a Running Start student’s VISI for these courses. The label will include the Running Start ACCN, course title, letter grade, DOE credits earned, and the school year the course was completed.

UPDATE 2/2008
Department of Education registrars have created unique ACCN codes (Z series) for several specific UH courses. They have also created a generic "RSP" ACCN code for courses which have no specific ACCN. More information about ACCN codes is available by clicking here.

Lists of courses available for the current and upcoming semesters are available on-line. Click below on the campus at which you plan to enroll.

• UH Hilo
• UH West O‘ahu
• Hawai‘i CC
• Honolulu CC
• Kapi‘olani CC
• Kaua‘i CC
• Leeward CC
• Maui CC
• Windward CC

It is not practical to list here every course available from every campus in a given semester, but the following tables provide a framework intended to help students, parents and counselors select the course(s) best suited to a student's interests and goals

Please check with the Running Start counselor at the campus you plan to attend for the most current and accurate information regarding courses available, pre-requisites, etc.

Students can consider their enrollment from one of two broad perspectives:

1. Courses intended to fill general education requirements (i.e., the types of courses required of all degree-seekers, regardless of major)
2. Courses in specific fields in which they have possible career interests

The two lists below are intended to provide examples of the college courses that may be taken to meet students' needs. The lists are by no means exhaustive. Complete lists of the courses available for any given semester are at the specific campus websites. Click on the campus name (above) to be taken to the semester course schedule for that campus. (Printed semester course schedules are also available from the respective campuses.)

Examples of Courses fulfilling general education requirements

There are multiple broad areas of coursework within “general education”. Some examples of these areas include:

• Arts, humanities, language and literature
• Oral and written communication
• Math and symbolic reasoning
• Natural sciences
• Social sciences

The courses listed below represent just a few examples of the many courses within “general education”. Keep in mind that not all courses are offered on every campus, nor are they offered every semester. Occasionally, comparable courses may vary in title or number from one campus to another. Students need to refer to the specific semester class schedule for the campus at which they plan to enroll. Students also need to clarify with their high school counselor and principal how this college course will be applied to high school graduation requirements—whether fulfilling a specific requirement or fulfilling an elective requirement.

ANTH 150 – Human Adaptation	ENSC 100 – Intro to Envir Science	MATH 205 – Calculus I
ANTH 200 – Cultural Anthropology	FRENCH 101 – El French I (and higher)	MICR 130 – General Microbiology
ART 101 – Intro to the Visual Arts	GEOG 101 – Natural Environment (also a lab)	OCEAN 201 – Science of the Sea
ASL 101 – Elem Amer Sign Lang I	GEOG 102 –: World Regional Geography	PHIL 101: Intro to Philosophy – Morals & Society
ASTR 110 – Survey of Astronomy	GG 101 – Intro to Geology	PHIL 110 – Intro to Deductive Logic
BIOL 100 – Human Biology	HAW 101 – Elem Hawaiian I (and higher)	POLS 110 – Intro to Political Science
BIOL 101 – Biology & Society (also a lab)	HAWST 107 – Hawai‘i: Center of the Pacific	PSYCH 100 – Survey of Psychology
BIOL 123 – Hawaiian Envir Science	HIST 151 – World Civ to 1500	REL 150 – Intro to World Religions
BOT 101 – General Botany (also a lab)	HIST 152 – World Civ since 1500	SOC 100 – Intro to Sociology
CHEM 151 – Elem Survey of Chemistry (also a lab)	HIST 241 – Civilizations of Asia to 1500	SPAN 101 – Elem Spanish I (and higher)
ECON 130 – Principles of Economics (Micro)	HIST 281 – Intro to American History to 1865	SP 151 – Personal and Public Speech
ECON 131 – Principles of Economics (Macro)	HIST 284 – History of the Hawaiian Islands	SP 251 – Principles of Effective Public Speaking
ENG 100 – Composition I	JPNS 101 – Elem Japanese I (and higher)	THEA 101 – Intro to Drama and Theatre
ENG 204 – Creative Writing	MATH 100 – Survey of Mathematics	ZOOL 101 – Principles of Zoology (also a lab)
ENG 255 – Short Story & Novel	MATH 140 – Trig & Analytic Geometry

Examples of Courses Related to Specific Career Interests

There are six broad career pathways in Hawai‘i:

• Arts & Communication
• Business
• Health Careers
• Industrial & Engineering Technology
• Natural Resources
• Public and Human Services

The courses listed represent just a few examples of the many courses within each of these six areas. Keep in mind that not all courses are offered on every campus, nor are they offered every semester. Occasionally, comparable courses may vary in title or number from one campus to another. Students need to refer to the specific semester class schedule for the campus at which they plan to enroll. Unlike Table I's General Education courses, where the goal is to earn some credit in each of several areas, the goal in career-related courses is to persist within a specific pathway and to take a sequence of courses required by the program of study for that pathway. Students need to clarify with their high school counselor and principal how this college course will be applied to high school graduation requirements—whether fulfilling a specific requirement or fulfilling an elective requirement.

ACC 124 &$150; Prin of Accounting I	EBUS 101 – Intro to eBusiness	ICS 101 – Digital Tools for the Info World
AEC 110 –Basic AutoCAD	ECOM 100 – Intro to E-Commerce	ICS 141 – Discrete Math for Computer Science I
AERO 100/ AVIT 100 – Introduction to Aviation	ED 100 – Intro to Education	IEDC 101 – Hand and Portable Tools/Materials and Hardware
AG 100 – Ag Orientation	EE 150 – Introductory Computer Programming Methods	ITS 102 – Information Technology Tools for Business
AJ 101 – Intro to Admin of Justice	ENRG 101 – Introduction to Sustainable Technology	LAW 101 –Hawai‘i Legal System
AMT 101 – Basic Automotive Maintenance and Safety	ENSC 100 – Intro to Envir	SciMEDA 100 –Intro to Medical Assisting
ART 112 – Digital Arts	ETRO 101 – Introduction to Electronics Technology	MKT 120 – Principles of Marketing
ART 125 – Intro to Graphic Design	FAMR 100 – Personal & Professional Devel	MLT 100 – Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory -
BUS 120 – Principles of Business	FIN 150 – Personal Finance	NUR 102 – Strategies for Success in Nursing I
BUSN 189 – Business Math (BUS 100 at KapCC)	FIRE 100 – Introduction to Fire Protection	NUR 121 – Intro to Human Structure, Function, and Related Terminology
CA 100 – Survey of Graphic Styles	FSER 100 – Introduction to Culinary Arts	OESM 101 – Intro to Occup Safety and Health
CE 113 –Introduction to Computer and Design	FSHN 185 – The Sci of Human Nutrition	PS 120 – Introduction to Security
Cent 110 – Intro to Info Systems	FT 111 – Art and Design in Fashion	PTA 100 – Introduction to Physical Therapy
CENT 115 – Intro to Computer Networking	HLTH 110 &$150; Medical Terminology (Health 197 at Kaua‘i CC)	SOSE 140 – Introduction to Techniques of Counseling & Interviewing
DMED 113 – Intro to Layout Design	HOST 101 – Intro to Hospitality & Tourism

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Running Start FAQs

ELIGIBILITY

Q: Can a home schooled or private school student participate in Running Start (RS)?

A:“Running Start” specifically refers to an agreement between the Hawai‘i Department of Education and the University of Hawai‘i to provide dual credit for courses successfully completed. Students from private schools can achieve the same results as Running Start by enrolling in Early Admit Programs, if their high school principal is willing to award high school credit. Similarly, home-schooled students would use “Early Admit” as their route to enrollment. Because home schooling does not involve the awarding of credit, there is no possibility for dual credit. For more information about “Early Admit” programs, contact the University of Hawai‘i campus at which you seek to enroll.

Q: Can a second year senior participate in RS?

A: Yes.

Q: May a student expelled from high school enroll in RS?

A: No.

Q: Are there any exceptions to RS eligibility?

A: No.

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COLLEGE REGISTRATION/ENROLLMENT

Q: Is there a registration deadline for RS?

A: Yes. Students should check with their high school counselor.

Q: Can a student withdraw from a college class through RS without the permission of the high school?

A: Technically yes; however, there needs to be articulation with and coordination and counseling from the high school counselor.

Q: Can an RS student enroll full time at a UH campus?

A: No. Students are limited to taking no more than 6 college credits per semester. Exceptions would be the decision of the HS principal.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Q: Is there a special off-campus pass for RS students?

A: Each high school will handle its own policy/procedure regarding RS students.

Q: How will students get to and from the college campus?

A: Each student will have to make his/her own transportation arrangements.

Q: Will the high school provide bus transportation to a student with disabilities who wants to take RS classes?

A: Yes, if the student qualifies for this service.

Q: Can 504 accommodations be made available to RS students at the colleges?

A: Yes, but RS students need to see a college counselor to arrange this.

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GRADES/TRANSCRIPTS

Q: May a parent of an RS student request attendance/grade information from the college campus?

A: Only if the student gives permission by completing a written release provided by the college. Otherwise, all student information is confidential.

Q: Will the college credit(s) earned through RS appear on the high school transcript?

A: No. The high school transcript will reflect the high school equivalent of Running Start credits only. For a record of college credits that have been earned, the student must request transcripts directly from the college.

Q: Do all private and out-of-state public and private colleges and universities accept college credits through the RS program?

A: The courses numbered 100 and above are articulated to all community colleges, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu. Acceptance by other institutions is based upon an evaluation of a student’s transcript and existing articulation agreements.

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