EdCAP Frequently Asked Questions

Edmonds Career Access Program (EdCAP) is an Open Doors youth re-engagement program that allows 16- 21-year-old students to take classes at Edmonds College. You can earn a high school diploma, GED, and/or any Edmonds College Degree or certificate. We are a state, K-12, funded program that offers you a chance to work toward your goals in an adult environment with a diverse student body and more flexibility than traditional high schools. Often we are referred to as a "second chance" or a "clean slate" for students who have struggled in traditional school settings.

EdCAP students are only responsible for daily supplies (journals, pens, backpacks) and transportation. We offer low-cost bus passes if needed.

EdCAP pays for tuition, fees, textbooks, and mandatory supplies for all classes as long as you are eligible.

Students are eligible if:

• You are older than 16 and younger than 21 by September 1st of the school year you want to attend.
• You do not have a high school diploma (If you have a GED, you still may be eligible)
• You are significantly behind in credits  -or-
• Your counselor believes you are unlikely to graduate if you stay at your current high school. Other parties who can write a recommendation: a school official or student’s social worker.
  
  

These eligibility requirements are adapted from state laws that fund our program and are non-negotiable. The Edmonds School District also follows these guidelines. Undocumented and non-resident students are welcome as long as they reside in Washington!

 You become ineligible after:

• The end of the school year in which you turned 21
• You earn a high school diploma (or)
• You earn an associate’s degree
  
  

•  GED
• High school diploma (From the Edmonds School District)
• Edmonds College short or long-term certificates
• Edmonds College associate’s degrees

You can earn many combinations of credentials if you work hard and plan with the help of your advisors. Any non-bachelor's program that is available at the college is an opportunity for you.

EdCAP operates in the summertime, but we do not accept new students for the summer quarter. You are not required to enroll every quarter. However, if you are under 18 and not enrolled in any classes (with the exception of summer quarter), we have to notify the school district’s BECCA office.

 There is a variety of ways that EdCAP is more flexible than traditional high schools:

• You get to choose from the numerous classes offered at the college, giving you more options as to which classes will fulfill your credit requirements.
• Course times and days are flexible
  • Some courses start as early as 7:30 a.m. and some as late as 7 p.m.
  • Courses can be anywhere from 1 day a week to 5 days a week. Some are offered only on weekends or only 2 days during the entire quarter
  • Some courses are online or offer arranged components where you can arrange specific days with your teachers. (Online courses are typically more challenging - for this reason, we allow registration on a case-by-case basis)
• Goals/Credentials are plentiful - We offer more than 70 degrees and certificates, as well as the ability to earn a diploma or GED in EdCAP.

• Communicate with program staff, case managers, and instructors. Edmonds College is an adult learning environment, so we expect a higher level of responsibility and communication. If you are going to miss an appointment or a class - reach out and let us know.
• Proactivity. While case managers are here to advocate for you, we can’t help unless we know what you need. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or tell us what you need/want. Take the initiative to research possible career paths. We can help! But we can’t want it more than you.
• Make progress. We have an academic progress policy, as our funding requires you to make progress each quarter. We have plenty of support available to help you be successful.
• Attend your classes. Instructors and Case Managers can drop you from your class if you aren’t attending, and we have an attendance policy that requires students to log at least 2 hours of attendance each month. On top of the need to meet our requirements, you want to attend classes because if you don’t go - you don’t learn. 

We offer many ways to support you in our program:

• One-on-one case management
  • We have a ratio of 1 case manager per 75 students mandated by state law
  • Case managers help with academic advising, goal setting, referrals to campus resources, referrals to off-campus resources, and advocating for the student in any way possible
• Introductory ‘College Connections’ course required for all new students
• Optional ‘Integrated Learning’ course that awards credit and teaches success skills, along with assistance on homework
• EdCAP reengage success course available for students who are struggling to earn credit
• Edmonds College Early Alert system that allows instructors to report concerns about student progress to case managers
• Edmonds College Learning Support Center offers free tutoring in any subject
• Edmonds College Services for Students with Disabilities office (SSD). This office offers accommodations to students with physical, learning, and temporary disabilities.
• Academic Review - EdCAP’s satisfactory academic progress policy responds with increased support when students don't earn credit. Supports include a homework help course, a student success course, and extra meetings with case managers.

Our diploma is awarded by the Edmonds School District and meets the same requirements that the district has at their high schools. For the class of 2020 or prior, this includes 22 credits, as well as completion of state exams, Washington state history, and high school and beyond plan. For the class of 2021 or later, this will be 24 credits, as well as completion of state exams, Washington state history, and high school and beyond plan. State exams are offered here at the college. 

All credits earned prior to enrolling in EdCAP should be submitted on an official (signed and sealed) transcript and will be reviewed and applied toward your diploma in EdCAP. If you attended only Edmonds School District high schools (Lynnwood, Meadowdale, Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds-Woodway, Scriber Lake, E-learning, Edmonds Heights), you may submit an unofficial transcript for review. 

 Here are some basic differences between EdCAP and Running Start:

EdCAP	Running Start
Intended for students who are behind in high school	Intended for students who are on track or ahead in high school
Students are only able to take classes at Edmonds College through EdCAP	Students are co-enrolled at a local high school, and are able to take a combination of classes at the high school and at Edmonds College
Students are able to take below college-level (below 100) classes	Students are limited to college-level (above 100) classes
Program covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books	Tuition is covered, but students are responsible for books and fees, and must pay tuition for under 100-level classes
Students walk in the Edmonds College commencement ceremony	Students walk at their high school’s commencement ceremony
EdCAP offers a high level of student support through hands-on advising and case management	Students are expected to be responsible for their own education, and advising and support is offered when the student reaches out.