Brenham High School
Section 1. General Criteria
Benham ISD
Whereas, Texas Education Code (TEC) §8.28, 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 and thereby funded for such course; and
Now therefore, the Benham and the District desire to establish a dual credit program (Dual Credit Program) to be operated as per this agreement as follows:
- The College service area includes the following three counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Walker Counties.
- The College will designate a dual credit program liaison at both the District and College levels.
- The District is responsible for ensuring that dual credit courses meet the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements.
Section 2. Dual Credit Admission - Student's Required Actions
- Obtaining written or electronic approval from the high school principal or the principal’s designee.
- Earning a "B" or better average in all high school work verified on a "C" for WECM datasets courses - either in 11th or 12th grade; or otherwise is eligible in accordance with the Dual Credit Program.
- Meeting college requirements for admission through the ApplyTexas application or other application form as stated in Appendix C.
- Dual credit students may receive special accommodations due to disability by providing written documentation outlining required accommodations to the Office of Disability Services at Blinn College (the College).
Upon receipt of the student’s IEP documentation from the student, the College’s Office of Disability Services will contact the instructor and make the necessary arrangements for accommodations within the processes.
Section 3. Classes and Schedules
- Prior to the start of each semester, the School will finalize the anticipated number of students per course for the next school year.
- All high school students enrolled in a College credit course shall submit the Dual Credit Program application and must meet all Dual Credit Program requirements prior to the start of each course.
- If participating in the Dual Credit Program, the School will determine the courses best attended by applicable laws.
- If the College provides face-to-face instruction on the School’s campus, students not having their own transportation will not be responsible for an off-campus instructional alternative.
Section 4. Faculty
- The College shall identify current faculty needed for the same requirements for credentialing guidelines published by the College. All new dual credit instructors must meet appropriate requirements.
- A District/School credit instructor who meets all hiring requirements will be compensated as set forth in Section 8 of this agreement.
- The College assigned College dual level courses shall be overseen by the College, including instructor compliance with instructor expectation.
Section 5. Financial Aid for Student Transfer (FAST) Program
The State of Texas College has created the Financial Aid for Student Transfer (FAST) program, which provides funding to reduce costs for those students considered "educationally disadvantaged."
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Students are eligible to enroll at no cost in a Dual Credit Course offered by the FAST program if the student meets the following:
- Is enrolled in high school in a dual credit or institution of school.
- Is enrolled in a dual credit course at a participating institution of higher education.
- Was educationally disadvantaged at any time during the four school years preceding the student’s enrollment in the dual credit course described herein.
- The Parties will work together to verify FAST-eligible student status each year.
- The District/School will be responsible for incurring all remaining educational costs for non-FAST eligible students.
Section 7. Tuition
All students enrolled in dual credit courses under the Dual Credit Program will pay the applicable tuition and fee as established jointly or independently by the College or the District.
Section 8. College Faculty Compensation
The College faculty will be compensated per contract.
Section 9. Syllabus, Curriculum, Supplies, and Textbooks
- A college course syllabus must be used for each dual credit class regardless of location or modality.
- Course textbooks and instructors’ course requirements, as well as schedule, must comply with the same expectations for College courses.
- Dual credit courses will use identical or equivalent textbooks, to the greatest extent possible.
Section 10. Library and Learning Resources
Dual credit students will have access to all college student and internet support resources as provided by the District.
The College provides access to library resources either digitally or on any of the College campuses.
Section 11. Academic Advising and Student Support Services
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The College will provide student instructional and career advising and counseling services via TX 1277 (2021), including but not limited to:
- Advising on courses offered and transfer opportunities, including relevance and applicability of courses to degrees and educational goals.
- Each college in the dual enrollment cluster before beginning the course. Dual credit enables students within the districts/school to receive advisement and curriculum guidance.
- Support services - Dual credit students may utilize support services operated by the College at any of the College’s campuses.
Section 12. Student Code of Conduct
- Students must comply with the College's academic regulations as it relates to academic integrity.
- Students must comply with content change policies.
Section 13. Funding and Payment
- Tuition and fee pricing for students enrolled in dual credit courses is stated in Section 6 and are due from students.
- Financial aid and payment plans are available upon request.
Section 14. Records and Reporting
- The College provides class rosters using the College reporting systems in the student record; record retention; FERPA.
- Both Parties will be responsible for maintaining student records and records pertaining to the Dual Credit Program.
Section 15. Conflict Resolution
The Parties agree that the respective administrative liaison for those adverse incidents shall raise the issue to the other party for informal resolution prior to any further action.
Section 16. Term and Termination
- The Term of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall continue for a period of four years.
- Amendments in this Agreement may be executed and signed only by written signatures of both Parties.
Section 17. Miscellaneous
- Governing Law: This Agreement and such modifications or amendments herein shall be performed under, and governed by, the laws of the State of Texas.
- Waiver: No delay or failure by either Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any other instrument given in connection with this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of or otherwise affect such right, power or privilege.
- Assignment: Neither Party may assign this agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party.
- Severability: If any provision of this agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall be unaffected.
- No Third Party Rights: This Agreement is made solely for the benefit of the College and the District.
Section 18. List of Appendices
The following appendices are attached to and incorporated into this Blinn College Dual Credit Program Agreement:
- Appendix A: Course 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
Current College Procedures for Grading and Credit
The Board shall establish the manner by which grades shall be determined and certified each semester.
Grades
| Grade | Grading Points per Semester Hour |
|---|---|
| A | 4 |
| B | 3 |
| C | 2 |
| D | 1 |
| F | 0 |
| I, QP, WS, CR | 0 |
| P | 0 |
| FAS | 0 |
| NP | 0 |
| Pass | 0 |
| NC | 0 |
Grades of "W", "Q", "QP" and "FAS" shall be used in determining the cumulative grade point average. All grades earned in the College will be used in computing a student’s College work grade point average (GPA), except courses of I, W, Q, NP, FAS, and CR.
Dual Credit/Early Admission Course Approval Form
The form requires the following information:
- Name of student
- High school
- Class of
- Date and Blinn ID
- Parent and student signatures
- Approval of high school designee and college designee
Appendix C: Notice of Reimbursement of Services
The College agrees to reimburse each ISD $500.00 for the services rendered by the teachers listed above for the period covering AY 2024-2025 for teaching a College Dual Credit Class. The College will submit the reimbursement for services to the District at the end of each semester.
Appendix D: Academic Course Guide Manual Courses
| Course Number | Blinn College Course Title | HEKS Course* | College Credit | Endorsement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON 2301 | Principles of Macro Economics | Economics | 3 | All Areas |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | Public Speaking | 3 | All Areas |
| SPCH 1321 | Business and Prof. Communication | Business and Prof. Communication | 3 | All Areas |
| ENGL 1301 | English Composition I | English III or IV | 3 | All Areas |
| ENGL 1302 | Composition II | English IV | 3 | All Areas |
Appendix E: Advising Terminology
- Advising
- Individualized academic guidance for students to help them succeed in their future educational 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 total credit hours each student must complete to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree from the institution.
- Drop
- Release from a course while in progress. Dual credit students must also be dropped from local class through Blinn College Dual Credit Office.
- Early admissions
- Colleged level courses taken by high school students prior to high school graduation.
Appendix F: Dual Credit Statewide Goals
- GOAL 1: Independent institutions will implement collaborative outreach efforts to inform all students and their parents or guardians of dual credit, including enrollment and fee policies.
- GOAL 2: Dual credit programs will assist secondary education students in successful transition to and enrollment in postsecondary education.
- Measure of implementation: Analysis of measures in enrollment and persistence through postsecondary education, disaggregated by student sub-population.
- GOAL 3: College readiness requirements are in place for students to be eligible to participate in dual credit, as the courses taken are taught at a college-level.