Bryan 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, a public junior college established under Chapter 130 of the Texas Education Code and a political subdivision of the State of Texas, ("College"), and:
Bryan ISD
A Texas Public independent school district and political subdivision of the State of Texas, ("District") with an effective date of June 1, 2024 (the "Effective Date"). The College and the District are referred to as "Party" and collectively as "Parties".
Recitals
- WHEREAS, Texas Education Code (TEC) §§ 28.009, 130.008, and 130.008, and 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 4, Subchapter D and Chapter 9, Subchapter H authorize the creation of a dual credit program at a public junior college and public school district for the provision of instruction for concurrent enrollment by high school students in both the high school and a public junior college; and
- WHEREAS, the District desires to establish a dual credit program with a public junior college to permit its students to enroll concurrently at the College and the District/School; and
NOW THEREFORE, for the mutual promises and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. General Organization
A. Blinn College District (College)
- The College will designate a leadership team to be in charge of the management and operation of the dual credit program.
- The College serves the following counties and service regions: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Waller, and Washington counties; also the cities of Axtell, Bryan, Burton, Caldwell, College Station, Columbia-Brazoria, Giddings, Hearne, Snook, and Wallis.
- The College will maintain academic integrity and the quality, breadth, content, and rigor, as the courses will be considered equivalent to college courses, including SACSCOC accreditation.
- In accordance with Applicable Law, the College will offer dual credit courses listed in current Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) and Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM). Courses offered each semester will be determined by the College and the Dual Credit Program Coordinators/Schools. Kinesiology courses do not count towards high school graduation physical education but will be posted to student transcripts.
- Dual credit courses may be offered during any semester in a location and schedule mutually required by the School and College. The College will seek every opportunity to use the available technology as appropriate to support dual credit sites.
- The THECB is responsible for ensuring dual credit courses meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. A course equivalency spreadsheet will be used to equate high school credit to college courses. College courses that have not been matched with required high school credits and/or endorsements must be approved before delivery. Dual credit course options offered by the District for its students may require additional considerations such as District graduation plans.
- Dual credit students are not affected by the provisions of TEC §51.907. Students who withdraw from a course with Q drops will be recorded as a W and will not count against the six-drop rule.
- The College strongly encourages dual credit students taking classes online to have a set schedule 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 as offered on the College campus, if instruction is in-school.
- The School will provide instructional technology and other auxiliary equipment typically used in college instruction.
- The School will furnish personnel, computer, and equipment to meet the particular requirements for the videoconference, Interactive Video Conferencing (IVC).
- The School will assign a special education/learning personnel as applicable and as required between the Parties, to assist with College requirements for identifying, advising, and providing students’ eligibility.
- The School/District will initiate the process of accommodations through the appropriate District or School Office of Disabilities Services (ODS).
- If the School/District IEP documentation plan and the student is eligible, the College’s Dual Credit Program shall be notified in accordance with College Board Policy EGAA(LOCAL), which is attached in Appendix A.
- Students must follow the registration process as listed in the Agreement.
C. Applicable Law
- The Parties agree to operate the Dual Credit Program and perform their obligations under this Agreement by complying with all applicable federal, state, and Board policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, the following: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and other federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. The Parties further agree to comply with all College and District policies and procedures as appropriate for the performance of their obligations.
Section 2. Dual Credit Admission - Student’s Required Actions
- Students admitted to the College during the semester in which admission may be on the basis of class rank, national origin, high school, principal, or other College Board Policy. The following requirements for admission must be met:
- Obtaining written or electronic permission of the high school principal or other appropriate school official.
- Providing evidence of meeting all bacterial meningitis vaccination requirements. (See College’s website for exemptions.)
- Completing a College application for admission through ApplyTexas;
- Meeting all applicable TSI or certain dual credit status as determined by the THECB, scores, exemptions, or waivers; and providing the required documentation for admission in any courses required; (see eligibility requirements at College site).
- Students who were enrolled previously must continue to meet all standards for academic progress and behavior.
- Students who wish to take courses that require on-site instruction at the College must provide their own transportation.
Section 3. Classes and Schedules
- The College and the School will coordinate and finalize the proposed course schedule with the School in a timely manner, to ensure that the student may be advised as to the scheduling of their dual credit courses.
- Instruction for dual credit courses may include: (a) solely of academic credit students; or (b) of both dual credit students and advanced placement students; or (c) of both dual credit and college students in the same class. In case of technical classes being used as an articulated course, the dual credit class can include a combination of technical dual credit students, college credit students, and/or local articulation students.
- In order for the College to provide face-to-face instruction for an academic dual credit course on the School's campus, the campus must have within a reasonable commuting distance from a College campus, a minimum class size number will be required. The Parties agree that the minimum face-to-face ratio is ten dual credit or cross listed dual credit students per course. Students may be combined with students from other schools as well as other methods or educational institutions. If there are fewer than ten minimum students enrolled, the Office of Dual Credit Program will notify the School’s personnel of possible alternative course instructional after alternatives. The School will not be held responsible for filling the course and may be rescheduled for a subsequent semester.
- If the College provides fewer students than the required class size, students may not take the same course with others except under extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Divisional Dean.
Section 4. Faculty
- A faculty assigned to College dual credit courses follows the same requirements for credentialing guidelines employed by the College. Every dual credit instructor is to be employed and supervised in the same manner as a College instructor. Dual credit faculty must meet the College standards, attend orientation, participate in professional development, and be evaluated as required. They must also use the College Learning Management System.
- The faculty teaching dual credit courses will have the College requirements, and these requirements will be assessed as set forth in Section 6.
- The College’s academic leadership will have the responsibility for oversight, supervision, and evaluation of the instructional delivery provided to the School, including the credentialing, curriculum, support, and other program/course assurance processes. The responsibilities undertaken will include: program/course assessments, input opportunities, and course improvement evaluation process.
Section 5. Facilities
- Per SACSCOC accreditation guidelines, dual credit courses are offered in adequate physical facilities, whether under the control of the College or under the control of the School. The College will assess the facilities periodically to ensure the appropriateness and periodically review facilities to assure compliance.
Section 6. Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) Program
The state of Texas has created the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program which provides funding incentives to help offer dual credit courses to educationally disadvantaged students at no cost for these students. The Texas Education Code (TEC) defines "educationally disadvantaged students" as those who are eligible for free/reduced pricing.
- Students are "eligible students" under the FAST program if they are enrolled in high school and meet the requirements in the law and provided in this agreement. To be considered eligible, students must have the following:
- Currently enrolled in a school in the service region
- Meet grade-point requirements (if required)
- Be enrolled in a dual credit course at the District for high school dual credit
- Be enrolled in high school in a district in the College’s service region
- The Parties will work together to verify FAST-eligible students and dual credit eligibility documentation for all non-FAST participants.
Section 7. Tuition
Students enrolled in dual credit courses under the Dual Credit Program will pay tuition for ACGM and WECM dual credit courses per the selected option(s):
- Option 1: IF, an instructor who is a College or District employee provides the course at the School and students reside at the District’s approved location or modality, THEN, a NON-FAST student enrolled in dual credit courses must pay the State of Texas approved tuition rate for the current academic year.
- Option 2: IF, a qualified approved instructor employed by the District is utilized for a course and the College does not pay for the posted instructor a faculty overload rate; THEN, a NON-FAST student will only pay per credit hour ($67.00 per semester or $80.00 for a three (3) hour course). Additionally, under this option, the District will receive an annual service payment of $60 per student who reaches successful completion of three (3) three (3) credit hours required for each course service in the Dual Credit Program.
- Option 3: IF, a qualified and approved instructor employed by the College (not as compensation for teaching dual credit through the College) is utilized for a course and the College does not pay the instructor a faculty overload rate; THEN, the student pays the published dual credit tuition rate. If the School does not provide the instructor and the College provides the instructor, the tuition payments are based on the tuition rate charged to all students taught by a high school instructor.
During the Term: All reimbursement to the District for services, the credit hour tuition and fees above are subject to be fully-completed/funded by the College’s Board of Trustees or the State of Texas.
Section 8. College Faculty Compensation
- Full-time College faculty will be compensated per their contract.
- College adjunct instructors will be compensated based on the per load.
Section 9. Syllabus, Curriculum, Supplies, and Textbooks
- All Dual Credit classes will have a syllabus, Learning Management System, and grading. The syllabus must include the same elements of the master college class syllabus. Course assignments will be made available on eCampus or local class system regardless of course or modality.
- The College will utilize required instructional materials. The District will not be responsible for the provision of textbooks.
Section 10. Library and Learning Resources
- Dual credit instructors and instructors may use College library and resources at the College or Blinn College Campuses. Students also have access to the District-level library resources. Circulation privileges and other student services are subject to the policies of and free use of Dual Credit Program students only at the campuses where library access is provided by the College.
Section 11. Academic Advising and Student Support Services
- The academic advising contact for dual credit for the College is:
- Shannon Williford
- Director, Dual Credit Programs
979-209-8218
shannon.williford@blinn.edu
- Support Services - Dual credit students may use the computer labs, writing centers, and learning centers on any of the College’s campuses.
- Dual credit students must comply with College policies and regulations, including the Student Code of Conduct.
Section 13. Funding and Payment
- Tuition and fee payments by all students are based on term Service & Fee Agreements and District Agreements. A payment menu is available in conjunction. Payment is required for students’ respective classes in the Dual Credit Program as assigned at the College. Deadline dates are determined by the Dual Credit Program website; payment is required each semester to retain enrollment in the class schedule.
- As stated in the summary chart later in this Agreement, as per The Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), if a student is not otherwise exempt, they will be required to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) in certain academic courses, and as soon as students are eligible for the second college-level course, they must demonstrate college readiness under THECB.
Section 14. Records and Reporting
- Class Rosters. The College will provide class rosters (listing the names of all enrolled dual credit students completing the course) to the School at the close of the course.
- Student Records; Record Retention; FERPA. In accordance with Applicable Law, each Party will maintain student records and may be necessary or advisable to operate the Dual Credit Program. Student records must be maintained in accordance with College and District policies. Each Party retains control over its respective student records. Each Party will cooperate with the other Party as needed for the ongoing lawful operation and management of the responsibilities for each program.
- Transcripting. The College shall immediately update its records to show dual credit students have received course transcripts upon the completion of the performance of the Dual Credit Program (see ITAC 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter D, §4.85 (n)).
Section 15. Conflict Resolution
The Parties agree that conflicts in the implementation of this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties in the event of a course of disagreement and arbitration or mediation shall not automatically be required or preferred.
Section 16. Term and Termination
- The Term of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date (Commencement Date) and shall expire (in the event not terminated earlier) on the last day of the Agreement Term as stated in Section 17. The Agreement shall be subject to renewal within 60 days after the completion of the Term.
- Termination: Either Party may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of termination.
Section 17. General Contract Terms
- Entire Agreement.
- This Agreement, including the Recitals, the Appendices, and any and all addenda, exhibits, or as either party may insert herein, constitutes the entire agreement as set forth. This Agreement supersedes all negotiations or previous agreements between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Parties expressly acknowledge that in entering into and executing this Agreement the Parties rely solely on the representations and covenants contained in this Agreement and no others.
- Amendments.
- This Agreement may be modified and amended only by specific written amendments, and any such modification or amendment shall be signed by both the Parties, and an agreement contained in this Agreement is not bound.
- Governing Law; Venue.
- This Agreement and the rights and obligations herein shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Venue is Waller County, Texas or the Parties irrevocably consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such court.
- Notice.
- All notices required hereunder by either party shall be in writing and delivered (1) personally or (2) by certified or registered U.S. Mail or (3) by other reliable methods:
| College | Blinn College District 902 College Avenue Brenham, Texas 77833 |
School District | Bryan ISD Address: 801 S. Ennis Street Bryan, Texas 77808 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: | Shannon Williford | City, State, ZIP: | Contact: Ginger Carbaine |
- Relationship of the Parties.
- In the performance of their respective duties, the Parties are at all times acting independently as independent contractors of each other.
- No Waiver.
- Nothing in this Agreement or in any act or omission of either party shall be deemed or construed to constitute a waiver of any privilege under this Agreement.
- Severability.
- If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be interpreted to the extent possible to give force and effect in accordance with the law.
- Binding Effect.
- This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement will extend any rights under the Agreement to any other persons as a third-party beneficiary.
Section 18: List of Appendices
The following appendices are attached to and incorporated into this Blinn College Dual Credit Agreement:
- 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: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
Executed by the Parties as of the Effective Date of 8/22/2024.
Bryan High School
Blinn College District
Chancellor: Mary Hensley, Ed.D.
Superintendent: Ginger Carbaine
Date: 8-21-2024
Appendix A: Regarding Grading System
Current College Procedures for Grading and Credit
Grades
At the end of each semester, students shall receive a final grade report that shall become a part of their permanent record. The College’s grading system shall apply to all courses:
| Grade | Range (%) | 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 | Dropped Due to Good Cause or Withdrawal from Course |
| NP | Not Passing | |
| FS | Academic Fresh Start |
At the end of each semester, students who do not meet academic standards will receive appropriate notations for incomplete, non-passing work, or withdrawal due to good cause.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
College progress is normally determined by a grade point average or ratio. Grade points are calculated by assigning values to each as follows:
| Grade | Grade Points per Semester Hour |
|---|---|
| A | 4 |
| B | 3 |
| C | 2 |
| D | 1 |
| F, I, Q, W, NP, FS | 0 |
Academic Good Standing
In order to remain in academic good standing with the College, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). A 2.0 cumulative grade point average is the minimum average required for graduation.
Scholastic Probation or Suspension
A student who falls below a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the close of any long semester or summer school will be placed on scholastic probation.
Appendix B: Dual Credit/Early Admission Course Approval Form (2024-25)
Form includes:
- Student and parent/guardian name and signature
- Requested course(s) by semester, CRN, and day/time
- Principal and college designee signature
Appendix C: Notice of Reimbursement of Services
Notice template for reimbursement sent from the College to the School District for services including provision of credentialed faculty or teaching a Dual Credit course.
Includes service fee, budget code, and signatures of Dean/Chancellor and Superintendent.
Appendix D: Dual Credit Course Crosswalk
**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 college courses they will offer as dual credit.
| 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 | 3 | All Areas |
Appendix E: Advising Terminology
- Advanced Placement (AP): College-level coursework for students to earn college credit by exam.
- Contact Hours: The total number of hours a class meets per week.
- Degree Plan: A statement of course sequences for program graduation.
- Drop: Request to be removed from a class.
- Early Admission: Dual credit courses taken by high school students for college credit.
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): State coordinating board for colleges and universities.
Appendix F: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
- Goal 1: Independent school districts and institutions of higher education will implement purposeful and collaborative outreach efforts.
- Goal 2: All dual credit students will receive academic and college readiness advisement.
- Goal 3: Dual credit courses will be equivalent in rigor and quality to on-campus courses.
- Goal 4: The quality and rigor of dual credit courses will be sufficient to ensure student success in subsequent courses.
Measures of implementation include institutional data review, course analysis, and advising.