Abbott High School
AGREEMENT FOR THE BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM
This Agreement for the Blinn College District Dual Credit Program ("Agreement") is by and between Blinn College District, a public community college established under Chapter 130 of the Texas Education Code and a political subdivision of the State of Texas, ("College"), and Abbott ISD, a Texas Public independent school district and political subdivision of the State of Texas, ("District") with an effective date of June 1, 2024 ("Effective Date"). Individually, the College and the District are referred to herein as Party and collectively as Parties.
Recitals
WHEREAS, Texas Education Code (TEC) §§ 28.009, 29.182, 29.184, and 130.008; and 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 4, Subchapter D and Chapter 9, Subchapter H authorize an institution of higher education to contract with a public school district for the provision of instruction resulting in dual credit received by a student for such course; and
WHEREAS, the College and the District desire to establish a dual credit program ("Dual Credit Program") to be operated as part of the District’s Abbott High School.
NOW THEREFORE, for the mutual promises and covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the Parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. GENERAL CRITERIA
A. Blinn College District (College)
- The College will designate a leadership team to be in charge of the management and supervision of the Dual Credit Program.
- The College service area includes the following thirteen counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Waller and Washington Counties and parts of Milam, Montgomery, Robertson and Walker Counties.
- The College will ensure that dual credit courses follow the same quality, sequencing, content, and rigor, as those courses taught to the institution’s other students. [Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) standard].
- In accordance with Applicable Law (as hereinafter defined), the College will offer dual credit courses listed in the current edition of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) and Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM). Courses offered in each semester shall be determined by the College and agreed upon by the District/School. Courses provided by the College under this Agreement shall be consistent with the educational purpose, mission, and goals of the College and shall be under the direct control of the College. Developmental courses are not available to dual credit students. Kinesiology courses that count towards the high school graduation physical education requirement will not be offered to dual credit students.
- Dual credit courses may be offered during any semester in a location and classroom mutually agreed upon by the School and College. The College will seek every opportunity to use the available technology as appropriate to support dual credit sites.
- The District is responsible for ensuring that dual credit courses meet the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. A course equivalency crosswalk will be used to equate high school courses with college courses. Such crosswalk identifies the number of credits that may be earned for each course completed through the Dual Credit Program. It will also provide an alignment of endorsements offered by the District and its corresponding dual credit course. As per SB 1276 from 2019, endorsements offered by the District, and dual credit courses offered under the agreement that apply towards those endorsements shall be aligned with postsecondary pathways and credentials at the institution and industry certifications. Information on postsecondary pathways and industry certifications are available on the College website under Degree Programs. The TEA graduation Toolkit offers information on graduation, college and career resources among others, and can be used as a reference by counselors, students, and families. See Appendix F, Dual Credit Course Crosswalk.
- All College prerequisites must be met and all College course sequencing shall be followed.
- A participating student’s satisfactory academic performance in a course provided under the Dual Credit Program shall be determined in accordance with College Board Policy EGA(LOCAL), which is attached in Appendix A.
- The College reserves the right to set a minimum number of students for enrollment in each course. If this minimum is not met, the College reserves the right to cancel the course.
- The College strongly encourages dual credit students taking classes online to have an in-school time scheduled to work with a high school proctor.
B. The School
- The School is responsible for providing a learning atmosphere and classroom facilities comparable to those offered on the College campus, regardless of modality of instruction.
- The School will provide instructional technology and other auxiliary equipment typically used in support of classroom instruction.
- The School will provide facilities, personnel, and equipment to meet the particular requirements for the online/internet, Interactive Video Conference (IVC). Appendix B describes video class regulations.
- The School will assign professional-level personnel, as applicable and as agreed upon between the Parties, who will be responsible for identifying, advising, and verifying prospective students’ eligibility to participate in the Dual Credit Program in accordance with Applicable Law.
- The School will assign trained professional-level personnel, as applicable and as agreed upon between the Parties, to assist with College registration functions, including but not limited to, completing and collecting appropriate admissions forms, and collecting student documentation.
- The School/District will initiate the process for course accommodations due to a disability by providing students with documentation outlining required accommodations and services under an Individual Education Plan (IEP). It is the student’s responsibility to provide the IEP documentation from the School/District to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at the College. Upon receipt of the School/District IEP documentation from the student, the College’s ODS will provide a verification form listing the required classroom accommodations to the student. The student is responsible for presenting the verification form from the College’s ODS to the instructor and making the necessary arrangements for accommodations with the instructor. Please note that instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodation to a student until appropriate verification from the College’s ODS has been provided, therefore, it is critical to complete this process as soon as possible to ensure the student receives accommodations. For additional information, please contact the College’s ODS.
- Whereas the College will follow existing Board of Trustees policies with regard to assigning a grade for College credit in the dual credit courses, if the College grading scale differs from the District’s grading scale, the District/School will provide participating students with a comparative document displaying both the College grading scale and the District’s grading scale. See Appendix A.
- Although a student may pass a College class with a grade of D, the District/School will be responsible for communicating to students and parents that under 19 TAC § 74.26(c), credit for courses for high school graduation may be earned only if the student received a grade which is the equivalent of 70 on a scale of 100. College personnel will not be expected to communicate with parents. See Appendix A.
- Dual credit students are not affected by the provisions of TEC §51.907. Therefore, dual credit students with Q drops will be recorded as a W and will not be penalized as one of the allowed six-state-drops.
C. Applicable Law
- The Parties agree to operate the Dual Credit Program and perform their obligations under this Agreement in compliance with the applicable federal, State, and local laws, implementing regulations, executive orders, interpreting authorities, and administrative rules and requirements, including, but not limited to:
- Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
- Title IX of the Education Amendments
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- FERPA
- Texas Education Code
- TEA and THECB guidelines
- Accrediting agency requirements such as SACSCOC
- The Parties further agree:
- To certify their sites are ADA compliant.
- To comply with applicable provisions of FERPA, 20 U.S.C. §1232g.
- To comply with all other federal, state, and local laws applicable to this MOU.
- To have in place and abide by a policy prohibiting discrimination, including harassment, based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Blinn College District Notice of Nondiscrimination
Blinn College District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. The College’s Title IX Coordinator is Dr. Adrienne McCain, Title IX Coordinator, 902 College Avenue, Brenham, Texas 77833, Administration Building Room 219, adrienne.mccain@blinn.edu, 979-830-4216. Blinn College District’s nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located at www.blinn.edu/title-ix/index.html.
The College prohibits discrimination, including harassment, against any employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of College District policy. For more information, see College Board Policy DIAB.
Blinn College District Statement on Parenting Services
Any student who, because of pregnancy or parenting status, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the Parenting Services Office. Please note that the instructor is not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until verification from the Parenting Services Office has been provided.
SECTION 2. DUAL CREDIT ADMISSION - STUDENT’S REQUIRED ACTIONS
- Obtaining written or electronic permission from the high school principal or the principal’s designee. All steps for approval are outlined on the Dual Credit Approval Form, Appendix C.
- Earning a "B" or better average in all high school work attempted or a C for WECM trades courses. If not, the student must obtain a written letter from the principal explaining why the College should allow entry to the course(s). The College will decide on eligibility.
- Completing a College Application for admission through ApplyTexas.
- Meeting TSI criteria as determined by the THECB. Scores, exemptions, or waivers must be furnished prior to registration.
- Providing proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine unless taking classes exclusively at a School facility or taking only online classes. In-person students must provide proof before enrollment on a Blinn College Campus.
Students enrolled in private or non-accredited secondary schools, or homeschooled students, must meet all admission requirements set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 3. CLASSES AND SCHEDULES
- Prior to each semester, the College will coordinate course schedules with the School in a timely manner. Anticipated number of students should be submitted by May 1st; proposed course schedule by July 20th for the next school year.
- All high school students enrolled in a College academic dual credit class will follow the official College calendar.
- A participating student may take the number of academic classes permitted by Applicable Law. The College’s Dual Credit Program administrator will confer with the School/District’s representative to confirm standards. See Appendix C.
- Academic dual credit courses must be taught in classes composed solely of academic dual credit students or of both dual credit and advanced placement students. Technical classes can also include college credit and local articulation students.
- Campus location and class size requirements apply for face-to-face instruction. The College will not provide transportation.
- If the College provides face-to-face instruction, students may not take the same course online unless under extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Divisional Dean.
SECTION 4. FACULTY
- Faculty assigned to College dual credit courses must meet the same hiring and credentialing procedures as College faculty, complete an application, interview, teaching demonstration, credentialing review, and background check. Orientation is required by the College and academic division.
- Approved District dual enrollment faculty teach Dual Enrollment courses as part of their regular high school teaching assignment and must adhere to all regulations and procedures of District, School, and College.
- The faculty teaching dual credit courses will be compensated as set forth in Section 6.
- The College’s academic leadership will oversee, supervise, and evaluate instructional delivery, faculty credentialing, curricular discussions, and assessments. This does not alter employment status or create liability.
SECTION 5. FACILITIES
- Dual credit courses are offered in adequate physical facilities (as per SACSCOC guidelines). Facilities are assessed prior to the start of instruction and periodically reviewed.
- College and District/School representatives assess facilities, determine class size, and select instructional modality.
SECTION 6. FINANCIAL AID FOR SWIFT TRANSFER (FAST) PROGRAM
The Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program provides funding to colleges so educationally disadvantaged students can take dual credit courses at no cost. "Educationally disadvantaged" includes those eligible for free/reduced lunch.
- FAST-eligible students incur no cost for tuition, fees, books, supplies, or materials for dual credit coursework.
- Eligibility is verified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) each semester.
- District/School agrees to verify FAST eligibility to the College by August 5th.
- Non-FAST eligible students are charged $56.87 per scheduled credit hour per course or the State approved rate.
- The District/School incurs remaining educational costs for FAST-eligible students.
SECTION 7. TUITION
- Option 1: If an instructor who is a College or District employee provides dual credit instruction, a NON-FAST student pays the State-approved tuition rate.
- Option 2: If a qualified instructor employed by the District is used and the College does not pay an overload, a NON-FAST student pays $20 per credit hour; the District receives $500 per course section with a minimum of 8 students.
- Option 3: For technical WECM dual credit courses taught by a qualified District instructor with no College compensation, all tuition is waived (no cost to the student).
Tuition and fees are subject to change during the term of this Agreement.
SECTION 18: LIST OF APPENDICES
- Appendix A
- Board Policy EGA(LOCAL) and Current College Procedures for Grading and Credit
- Appendix B
- Dual Credit Approval Form
- Appendix C
- Notice of Reimbursement of Services
- Appendix D
- Dual Credit Course Crosswalk
- Appendix E
- Advising Terminology
- Appendix F
- Dual Credit Statewide Goals
Execution
| Institution | Signature | Name/Title | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blinn College District | Mary Hensley, Ed.D. | Chancellor | 7/25/2024 |
| Abbott High School | Eric Pustejovsky | Superintendent | 7/25/2024 |
APPENDIX B: Dual Credit Approval Form
2024-25 Dual Credit/Early Admission Course Approval Form
APPENDIX D: Dual Credit Course Crosswalk (Excerpt)
| Course Number | Blinn College Course Title | High School TEKS Course* | College Credit | Endorsement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZEC 1471 | Beginning Czech I | Determined by HS | 4 | Arts/Humanities |
| CZEC 1472 | Beginning Czech II | Determined by HS | 4 | Arts/Humanities |
| CZEC 2371 | Intermediate Czech I | Determined by HS | 3 | Arts/Humanities |
| CZEC 2372 | Intermediate Czech II | Determined by HS | 3 | Arts/Humanities |
*High School course is subject to change. Alignment of high school course is determined and approved by the High School.
** Each school district determines which courses they will offer as dual credit.
APPENDIX E: Advising Terminology
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- College level coursework designed by the College Board which provides students the potential to earn college credit with a qualifying score on an Advanced Placement exam.
- Advising
- Individualized academic guidance for students to help them succeed in their future education and career goals.
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- A program in which students can earn credit by examination by taking the CLEP exam.
- Contact Hours
- The total number of hours a class meets each week.
- Degree Plan
- A statement of the course of study requirements that an undergraduate student must complete to be awarded an associate or bachelor’s degree.
- Dual Credit
- High school students take college level courses, for both high school and college credit.
- Drop
- Request to be removed from a course while in progress. Dual credit students must request to be dropped from a class through the Blinn College Dual Credit Office.
- Early Admissions
- College level courses taken by high school students for college credit only.
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- A federal law that protects the privacy of student records.
- Lower Division ACGM
- The official list of courses approved for general academic transfer for Texas public colleges.
- Math Placement Exam (MPE)
- Students can earn credit by examination for math courses by taking the MPE.
- Prerequisite
- A course required to be successfully completed before taking another course.
- Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM)
- Provides community and technical colleges with web-based inventory of pre-approved courses developed in partnership with instructional specialists.
APPENDIX F: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
- Goal 1: ISDs and IHEs will implement purposeful and collaborative outreach efforts to inform all students and parents of the benefits and costs of dual credit.
- Goal 2: Dual credit programs will assist high school students in the successful transition to and acceleration through postsecondary education.
- Goal 3: All dual credit students will receive academic and college readiness advising with access to bridge them successfully into college course completion.
- Goal 4: The quality and rigor of dual credit courses will be sufficient to ensure student success in subsequent courses.