The Sheridan School District on Thursday sued the state, arguing a program that allowed Sheridan High School students to take college courses and have their tuition paid with state K-12 education dollars is legal.
The 21st Century Diploma Program began in 1998 and offered students an alternative to the standard Sheridan High School diploma, said Superintendent Michael Poore.
While a standard diploma requires 220 credit hours, the 21st Century program requires 320 credits, which students can earn at the high school, in a vocational program or at Arapahoe Community College or vocational school.
Poore said 21st Century students simply extend their time in high school beyond four years to take the additional courses. However, he said he shut down the program last year, after the State Department of Education refused to continue funding it for students beyond four years of high school.
Colorado Education Commissioner William Moloney said lawmakers did not intend to use public dollars to pay for a student’s college education.
“What wasn’t allowed is you get a free year of college tuition simply by delaying high school graduation,” he said.
He declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Poore, several students and the nonprofit Metro Organizations for People – all plaintiffs in the suit – argue that the state guarantees an education to students who are 21 and younger.
Alexander Halpern, attorney for the plaintiffs, said the law also allows students enrolled in a district to take courses at a local college and have the costs covered by the district. He said the law doesn’t have restrictions on how many years a student is in the district.
Jaime Tafoya, a student at West High School in Denver, said the program opens doors for students who otherwise may never attend college.
Staff writer Karen Rouse can be reached at 303-954-1684 or krouse@denverpost.com.
