(a) A program approved under this chapter shall provide for the award of dual credit for a high school course; provided, that the student successfully completes the high school requirements for the course and the student meets all postsecondary standards for validation of the credit. A program may provide opportunities for dual enrollment.

(b) A program approved under this chapter shall be accountable to the state board of education and the governing board of the postsecondary institution and shall conform to the regulations and guidelines of any relevant accrediting bodies.

(c) A program of early postsecondary credit approved under this chapter shall operate under the terms of a written agreement signed by the executive director of the board of education, the commissioner of education, the chancellor of the board of regents, the president of the University of Tennessee and the executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission. The agreement shall be reviewed on a periodic basis.

(d) A program may be operated in a facility owned or leased by the LEA, the applicant public postsecondary institution or an education partner, if any.

(e) A program approved under this chapter shall comply with the laws and policies of the respective campus on which the program resides relating to the education of students with disabilities and shall comply with all statutes, regulations, policies and guidelines regarding student discipline.

(f) A program approved under this chapter may use state, federal and local funds allocated or appropriated to the LEA and to the applicant public postsecondary institution or its governing board to implement the program. If there is an education partner and if it is a public body, the program may use state, federal and local funds allocated or appropriated to that body. Use of funds shall be subject to any limitations or restrictions placed on those funds by federal or state law or local ordinance.

(g) Except as provided in this chapter and under the terms of the agreement, the state board of education or the postsecondary governing board may waive any law or rule that inhibits or hinders the participating institutions' and schools' abilities to meet the goals of this chapter. Neither the state board of education nor the postsecondary governing boards of postsecondary institutions shall waive regulatory or statutory requirements related to:

(1) Federal and state civil rights;

(2) Federal, state and local health and safety;

(3) Federal and state public records;

(4) Immunizations;

(5) Possession of weapons on school grounds;

(6) Background checks and fingerprinting of personnel;

(7) Federal and state special education services;

(8) Student due process;

(9) Parental rights;

(10) Federal and state student assessment and accountability; and

(11) Open meetings.

(h) The LEA and the participating postsecondary institution shall determine for each course the length of time of instruction. Depending on the course and the institution that offers it, the length of time of instruction shall be that required for public schools or that required for the attainment of postsecondary learning outcomes.