High Schools

• If the student or school team believe that RISE may be an option, the current educational placement case manager (zoned school) will arrange an IEP meeting with RISE administrative staff, or their designee. Accompanying the Prior Written Notice the student/family will receive information about RISE.  
• The current case manager will send a Prior Written Notice to the adult student indicating that the team would like to discuss programming options, including consideration of adult education programming.
  • The team will need to discuss all options, not just RISE, at this meeting.
  • This PWN will notice not only placement but also potential transition services.  

• RISE administrative staff, or the designee, must be invited to the IEP meeting.  The RISE representative will inform the team of the specifics of programming of RISE adult education.  (Given the RISE quarter structure, it is important to provide ample time to schedule the meetings.)
  • If appropriate or applicable for the student, meetings would need to be held before the end of the school year for an August start, in September for an October start, in December for a January start, and in March for an April start. 
• Required participants from the zoned school staff include: LEA, General Education Teacher, Case Manager or Department Lead, and any related service provider as appropriate. 

• The IEP team will review the present levels of performance for the student and discuss progress towards goals and objectives, including special designed instruction that is needed, and accommodations.
  • Team may also discuss the reasons for seeking enrollment at RISE and the current credit accrual.
• The team will determine how FAPE can be delivered to the student and what educational placement will best serve the student. 

• If the team determines that RISE is appropriate and will meet the needs of the student, the team will adjust the IEP to reflect the services and supports needed. During this meeting, the team will discuss the nuances of RISE and how services and supports differ from a comprehensive school.  
• If the team determines that RISE is not a good option, they will recommend enrollment at their zoned school and with provide documentation of that conversation in PWN. 

• Time on content: Courses are fast paced (less than half the time that is allotted in a comprehensive high school per .5 credit). Each semester (.5 credit course) is 8 weeks long, with courses comprising of 16 class meetings. Courses at RISE can have specially designed instruction components. 
• Hours of instruction: The courses are on an accelerated pace with only 40 hours of instruction per .5 credit course.  (Note:  This is significantly less instructional time for a .5 credit course than in a comprehensive high school.) 
• Tutoring Support: Students have access to tutoring support on a limited basis through the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility (CASA) at RISE. Students schedule time for extra support or come to drop in tutoring hours. This is self-guided and requested. 
• Attendance: Due to the accelerated nature of RISE courses, students who have over three absences in a given class will be dropped from the class. Student can then re-enroll in that course the following quarter. 
• First day of class: Students must start on the first day of the quarter. Quarters start in August, October, January, and March. When a mini summer session is offered it starts in June. 

Schedule:

Classes only meet two days per week (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday). Courses are in the morning 9:30 AM - 12:00 P.M. or 6:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. 

There are no requirements on the number of classes that students take.  Most students take only one or two courses per quarter, which is approximately 5 to 10 hours of instruction per week with an instructor and 5 to 10 hours of independent homework outside of class. 

Since there are no requirements on the course load per year, students will typically take a longer period of time to earn credits necessary for graduation. 

• Students who attend RISE can earn a High School Equivalency (HSE) or an Adult High School Diploma.  There is no adjusted diploma option through RISE, or any adult high school in Nevada. 

• Students cannot continue or transfer credits that have not been completed at the zoned school to RISE.  They will lose the current course enrollment progress if it is not between the traditional semesters (January or August), so it’s encouraged to finish any credits started at a comprehensive school and transition at traditional semesters.  

• Students may waive credits by passing the High School Equivalency exam (HiSET). This is a challenging test with a first-time passage rate of approximately 5% for students who were on an IEP. 

• Since RISE is a school for adult learners, there is a higher expectation for self-management and self-motivation to accomplish one’s goals than in a comprehensive high school with multiple supports that are built into the educational system. 

• If a minor is interested in pursuing a High School Equivalency a TABE score of 535 is required for literacy and math for a full recommendation and approval to attend RISE.

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RISE recommends instruction with an instructor whenever possible in lieu of a full self-paced distance option if coming to RISE on an IEP. There are online only options (with assessments done on campus) for whom an instructor paced course does not work. These courses are through Edgenuity (diploma) or EdReady (HSE). 

• Students take one course at a time. 
• Students have a 9 week window to complete each course. If a student is making progress and needs more time, they may be granted an extension.  
• Students must pass the final with a 60% or higher. Every student has 3 chances to take the in person final.
  • If the student does not pass after 3 attempts with support, we recommend a non- full distance option with an instructor. 
  • Students are required in Edgenuity to complete essays as assigned in each course. 

• This online option to study for the high school equivalency is available and requires 5 hours of self-paced, and self-guided study per week with the ultimate goal of taking and passing the high school equivalency (HiSET). 
• If students fall below the expected 5 hours per week they will be deactivated from the platform.  
• Tutoring is available during regular tutoring hours for support.  

• Although RISE offers ELL courses, they are not like the high school sequence of courses for English Learners. 
• As a second language learner, social and academic language development is vital to acculturation and language development, which RISE cannot provide like a comprehensive school can.