Anderson-Shiro 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: Anderson-Shiro Consolidated 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
- Texas Education Code §§ 28.009, 29.182, 29.184, and 130.008; and 19 Texas Administrative Code 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.
- The College and the District desire to establish a dual credit program (“Dual Credit Program”) to be operated as part of the District’s Anderson-Shiro Consolidated ISD high school (“School”).
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 for managing and supervising the Dual Credit Program.
- The College service area includes Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Waller, Washington Counties, and parts of Milam, Montgomery, Robertson, and Walker Counties.
- Dual credit courses follow the same quality, sequencing, content, and rigor as those courses taught to other College students (SACSCOC standard).
- In accordance with Applicable Law, 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 for each semester are determined by the College and agreed upon by the District/School. Developmental and certain kinesiology courses are not available to dual credit students.
- Courses may be offered during any semester at a location/classroom agreed upon by School and College; technology will be utilized as appropriate.
- The District is responsible for ensuring courses meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. A course equivalency crosswalk will be provided.
- All College prerequisites must be met and course sequencing followed.
- Academic performance is determined in accordance with College Board Policy EGA(LOCAL) (see Appendix A).
- The College reserves the right to set minimum enrollment numbers for each course and may cancel if minimum is not met.
- Online dual credit students are strongly encouraged to have scheduled time with a high school proctor.
B. The School
- The School provides a learning atmosphere and classroom facilities comparable to those on the College campus.
- The School provides instructional technology and auxiliary equipment as needed.
- The School provides facilities, personnel, and equipment to meet online/internet or IVC requirements (see Appendix B for video class regulations).
- The School assigns personnel to identify, advise, and verify student eligibility per Applicable Law.
- The School assists with College registration, admissions forms, and student documentation.
- For students with disabilities, the School/District initiates the accommodations process and issues relevant documentation; students must provide documentation to the College’s Office of Disability Services.
- If College grading scales differ from the District’s, the District/School provides a comparative document (see Appendix A).
- The District/School communicates with students and parents about grading requirements for high school graduation as required by 19 TAC §74.26(c).
- Dual credit students are not affected by TEC §51.907 provisions on Q drops.
C. Applicable Law
- The program will comply with federal, state, and local laws, including but not limited to Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, FERPA, Texas Education Code, TEA/THECB guidelines, and SACSCOC standards.
- The Parties agree:
- To certify that their sites are ADA compliant
- To comply with all FERPA provisions
- To comply with all federal, state, and local laws applicable to this MOU
- To have in place and abide by non-discrimination policies
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/activity as required by Title IX and its regulations. Inquiries may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator:
- Dr. Adrienne McCain, Title IX Coordinator
- 902 College Avenue, Brenham, Texas 77833, Administration Building Room 219
adrienne.mccain@blinn.edu
979-830-4216
The College’s policy and grievance procedures: www.blinn.edu/title-ix/index.html. Report information at blinn.edu/title-ix/reporting-information.html.
BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
Blinn College District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Retaliation is also prohibited. See Board Policy DIAB for more information.
BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT STATEMENT ON PARENTING SERVICES
Students requiring special arrangements because of pregnancy or parenting status should contact the Parenting Services Office before requesting course accommodations.
Section 2. Dual Credit Admission - Student’s Required Actions
- Student must get written/electronic permission from the high school principal or designee (see Appendix C).
- Students must earn a "B" average (80+) in all high school work attempted (or "C" for WECM trades courses, with exception based on principal’s letter and College approval).
- Students must complete a College application via ApplyTexas.
- Students must meet current TSI, exemption, or waiver criteria and provide bacterial meningitis vaccine proof (unless fully off-site/online).
Private, non-accredited, or homeschooled students must meet the same requirements.
Section 3. Classes and Schedules
- Course scheduling is finalized in advance by the College and School, with deadlines as outlined.
- High school students enrolled in a College dual credit class follow the College calendar regardless of class location or modality.
- Number of classes per student is governed by Applicable Law and confirmed between administrators (see Appendix C).
- Academic dual credit courses must be taught in classes composed solely of dual credit and/or AP students. Technical/articulated courses may include mixes as described.
- Face-to-face courses require a minimum number of students, with the possibility of combining students from multiple districts. No transportation is provided by the College.
- Students cannot take the same face-to-face and online course simultaneously except under extenuating circumstances.
Section 4. Faculty
- Faculty for dual credit must meet College credentialing and hiring requirements, including background checks and orientation.
- District Dual Enrollment Faculty teach courses as part of their school assignment and must follow all respective policies.
- Faculty compensation is covered in Section 6.
- College academic leadership oversees instructional quality and evaluation. Faculty employment remains under their respective employers.
Section 5. Facilities
- Courses are delivered in facilities meeting SACSCOC accreditation standards, assessed regularly by the College.
- Representatives assess, determine class size, and select instructional modality at each site.
Section 6. Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) Program
The FAST program provides funding for dual credit courses for educationally disadvantaged students (eligible via national free/reduced lunch in any of the previous four years).
- A FAST eligible student pays no tuition, fees, books, supplies, or course materials for eligible classes.
- Eligibility and required verification is coordinated by August 5th each year.
- Non-FAST eligible students pay the State of Texas approved tuition or $56.87 per credit hour per course.
- District/School is responsible for other educational costs for FAST students.
Section 7. Tuition
- Option 1: College or District employee provides instruction: Non-FAST students pay the State-approved tuition rate.
- Option 2: District-employed instructor (no College faculty overload): Non-FAST students pay $20/credit hour. The District gets $500 reimbursement per course section (min. 8 students).
- Option 3: District-employed instructor for technical/WECM dual credit courses (no College compensation): Tuition is waived.
Tuition and fees are subject to change each academic year.
Section 8. College Faculty Compensation
- Full-time faculty compensated per contract.
- Adjuncts compensated at the approved rate per course.
Section 9. Syllabus, Curriculum, Supplies, and Textbooks
- Dual Credit instruction must be consistent in curriculum, materials, grading, and rigor with all College classes.
- All syllabi must be posted in Concourse and contain master course elements.
- Identical or equivalent textbooks are used. The District/School and College consider free/low-cost open educational resources. FAST-eligible students’ textbooks are provided at no cost by the District.
Section 10. Library and Learning Resources
Dual credit students and instructors have access to School and College libraries and online resources equivalent to all other students and instructors.
Section 11. Academic Advising and Student Support Services
A. Advising
- College provides necessary support services, including advising and counseling in compliance with SB 1277 and related transfer/graduation statutes (see Appendix G).
- The District/School collaborates in compliance with SB 25 and SB 1324 advising mandates from the State of Texas.
- College designated contact: Shannon Williford, Director, Dual Credit Programs, 979-209-8218, shannon.williford@blinn.edu
B. Support Services
Dual credit students may use computer labs, learning centers, and writing centers at any College campus.
Section 12. Student Code of Conduct
- Students must comply with all College policies, including the Student Code of Conduct (http://catalog.blinn.edu/).
- Students must adhere to academic integrity regulations (policy link).
- Uncivil behavior may result in removal until the student arranges a conference with the instructor (see Board Policy FLB).
Section 13. Funding and Payment
- Tuition and fees must be paid at registration; non-payment results in class removal.
- Financial Aid is not available for dual credit students per federal guidelines.
- State funding follows TEA, THECB, and College/THECB rules; only select courses are claimable by the College.
- If retaking a class more than twice, student pays tuition and an additional $50 per semester hour (except technical/FAST students).
- The College does not provide transportation for dual credit courses.
Section 14. Records and Reporting
- Class rosters (with numerical grades) are provided by the College to the School each semester.
- Each Party maintains necessary student records and shares required data under FERPA and Texas Record Retention laws.
- High school and college credit is transcripted immediately upon course completion.
Section 15. Conflict Resolution
Parties agree to resolve conflicts at the lowest level possible, escalating as necessary through designated liaisons and administrators up to legal counsel, if required.
Section 16. Term and Termination
- Term: Effective from June 1, 2024, and expires at the end of the second summer semester of 2027 (with possibility for renewal by mutual written agreement).
- Termination: Either Party may terminate with at least 60 days' written notice prior to semester end. No interruption for currently enrolled students.
Section 17. General Contract Terms
- Entire Agreement: This Agreement, Recitals, Appendices, and Exhibits constitute the full agreement and supersede prior arrangements.
- Amendments: Amendments must be in writing, signed by both Parties.
- Governing Law: Agreement governed by laws of the State of Texas; venue in Washington County, Texas.
- Notice: Notices to be delivered in writing as specified under Texas law and to designated contacts for College and School District.
- Relationship: Parties are independent contractors; no partnership, joint venture, or agency is created.
- No Waiver: No failure/delay acts as waiver of rights.
- Assignment: Neither Party may assign without written consent of the other.
- Captions: Section titles are for convenience and not limiting.
- Severability: Invalid/unlawful provisions do not affect the validity of the rest of the Agreement.
- No Third Party Rights: The Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their successors/assigns.
- Counterparts & Electronic Signatures: Agreement may be executed in counterparts or by electronic means.
Section 18: List of Appendices
- Appendix A: Board Policy EGA(LOCAL) and 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: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
Signatures
| Party | Name/Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT | Mary Hensley, Ed.D. Chancellor |
7/26/2024 |
| Anderson-Shiro High School | Sarah Borowicz Superintendent |
7/26/2024 |
Appendix A: Grading System
The Board establishes policies for determining grades and awarding credit, including GPA calculation and grade appeal procedures, published in the College Catalog. The Chancellor develops procedures to implement these policies.
Grades
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| A (90-100) | Excellent |
| B (80-89) | Good |
| C (70-79) | Average |
| D (60-69) | Poor |
| F (Below 60) | Failure |
| I | Incomplete |
| Q | Dropped |
| W | Dropped Due to Good Cause/Withdrawal from College |
| CR | Credit |
| P | Pass |
| NP | Not Passing |
| FS | Academic Fresh Start |
Specific details are available in the College Catalog and related policies.
Appendix B: Dual Credit Approval Form
2024-25 Dual Credit/Early Admission Course Approval Form
- Student, parent/guardian, principal/designee, and College representative signatures required for enrollment.
- By signing, the student and parents acknowledge understanding of College policies, FERPA, and possible exposure to adult materials in College settings.
Appendix D: Dual Credit Course Crosswalk
| Course Number | Blinn College Course Title | High School TEKS Course* | College Credit | Endorsement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON 2301 | Principles of Macro Economics | Economics | 3 | All Areas |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication | Public Speaking | 3 | All Areas |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | English III or IV | 3 | All Areas |
* High School course is subject to change. Alignment 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 with the potential for credit via AP exam.
- Advising
- Individualized academic guidance for student success.
- Dual Credit
- High school students take college-level courses for high school and college credit.
- Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM)
- Inventory of pre-approved technical courses for Texas colleges.
Appendix F: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
- Implement purposeful and collaborative outreach to inform all students and parents of dual credit benefits/costs.
- Examples: Informational sessions, high school counselor workshops, and community events.
- Assist students in the successful transition to and acceleration through postsecondary education.
- Examples: College tours, new student registration events, automatic transition for seniors.
- Ensure students receive academic and college readiness advising with access to bridge successfully into college completion.
- Examples: Advising, access to learning/writing centers, testing, counselling, labs.
- Maintain the quality and rigor of dual credit courses.
- Examples: Performance data, consistent curricula and rigor, college readiness requirements.