COOPERATIVE INNOVATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
(CIHS) PROGRAMS

The Innovative Education Initiatives Act and the Cooperative Innovative High School Programs statute were passed by the General Assembly in 2003 and revised in 2005. These statutes encourage high schools to be innovative and participate in reform activities. LEAs are encouraged to partner with their local postsecondary educational institution(s) to establish a high school program that would target students who are at risk of dropping out of high school before attaining a high school diploma or a program that would offer accelerated learning opportunities. High school reform efforts requiring exemptions from any state statute, board policies, administrative procedures and regulations should be submitted following the procedures and format provided in the attached packet. This includes, but is not limited to, Learn and Earn and the New Schools Project. It is important that the application and exemptions requests be submitted according to established timelines. Exemptions will be approved by the State Board of Education only once each semester. See "Important Dates" below.


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  • Application
    (pdf, 297kb)

  • Academic Services memo regarding implementation of the TST-1 and TST-2 Testing Waivers
    (pdf, 107kb)

  • Implementation guidance for the CIHS TST-1 and TST-2 Testing Waivers
    (pdf, 95kb)

  • Procedural Guidelines for Implementing TST-1
    (pdf, 29kb)