College View PTECH
P-TECH Memorandum of Understanding
August 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025
Memorandum of Understanding Between Blinn College District and College Station Independent School District
This document is executed as a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between Blinn College District (“Blinn”) and College Station Independent School District (“CSISD”). Blinn and CSISD are a formal and audited lateral recipient for college readiness pathways as defined under House Bill 5 as schools and colleges for federal funds eligible to provide high school students continued instruction through ECHS or Pathways in Technology Early College High School (“P-TECH”), under the TSTEM policy for the 2024-2025 Academy Year. Collection of applicable records is retained as “a Partner.” The parties into this Agreement agree to these practices as the Texas Education Agency (“TEA”) P-TECH designation pursuant to the authorized or audited compliance window under 29,531,557 of the Texas Education Code (“TEC”).
WHEREAS, as guidance for the relationship to the parties, as listed below:
- WHEREAS, the application and designation of the P-TECH program by TEA is based on written assurances in accordance with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (“THECB”) and Texas Success Initiative (“TSI”) eligibility standards and disclosure of progress to students;
- WHEREAS, CSISD and Blinn are willing and able to advance the delivery of this program to meet the standards of the Texas Education Agency (“TEA”);
- WHEREAS, CSISD and Blinn are willing and able to execute interlocal and inter-term agreements for P-TECH program delivery;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
The CSISD P-TECH, serving as a technical path for students to develop skills for high-demand occupations, will partner with Blinn College to offer dual credit and industry certification opportunities. This agreement will serve for the period of August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2025, unless otherwise extended or terminated by written agreement.
Principles
- To establish a mutually beneficial partnership between Blinn and CSISD that allows a flexible and creative response to the immediate and jurisdictional/regional needs of both institutions.
- To collaborate in the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of P-TECH programs, including program focus, staff, and administration.
- To provide rigorous college readiness and early college credit courses.
- To facilitate access to resources to address costs of both parties and assist each in obtaining necessary local, state, and federal and private/foundation sources to operate the P-TECH program and sustain student needs. Day-to-day costs, such as transportation to and from the campus, will be the responsibility of CSISD.
- To assure that, as stated in the aspects of the P-TECH, the Blinn campus will work with students integrated on an age-appropriate basis in accordance with college readiness guidelines established by the THECB and the TEA.
Failure to meet individual sections or policies on both parties does not constitute a breach or violation under federal or state law, unless otherwise required to report in the district, region, or state audit process.
Term of Agreement
This Memorandum of Understanding will commence August 1, 2024, and remain in effect until July 31, 2025, unless otherwise extended, amended, or terminated in writing by both parties.
Governance
- The P-TECH established under this agreement will be governed by state and federal laws and regulations, as well as CSISD and college policies and requirements. CSISD shall apply to TEA for the establishment and continued approval of a P-TECH designation.
- A Leadership Team will be created for the purpose of establishing local, state, and national partnerships, to leverage opportunities for the purposes of sustainability, local control, and transparency. The Leadership Team shall meet at least annually and shall consist of representatives from Blinn, CSISD, local and regional community. The Leadership Team and all other subcommittees shall be outlined as appropriate and as needed by CSISD and reported to the Advisory Council.
- The College View Collegiate P-TECH Coordinator or designee will serve as the local liaison for CSISD. The Coordinator will be an employee of CSISD. The P-TECH Coordinator will schedule regular meetings for the Leadership Team and will serve as the contact for the Blinn partnership.
- The Blinn College Dual Credit Assistant Dean will serve as the P-TECH Program Coordinator and will coordinate dual credit program implementation. The coordinator will assume full responsibility for workforce/compensation insurance for instructional staff. CSISD will be responsible for identifying teaching personnel to teach both college courses for dual credit and high school courses. All college courses for dual credit must be listed in the Coordinating Board's guidelines and offered through the Blinn College Dual Credit Course Policies and Procedures. Blinn will be responsible for providing the curriculum, course materials, and professional development for teachers as required by the Coordinating Board and local Board Policy. Blinn will provide the students with information on success strategies for college readiness, including TSI requirements and the admissions process through their faculty and advisor liaisons.
- Blinn and CSISD will meet at least once each semester following the summer session to review the program, the partnership, and student outcomes, including student results, instructional needs, and progress towards goals. Additional meetings may occur as needed. Minutes and/or summary notes will be shared by the P-TECH Coordinator with all program partners and archived at the campus.
Facilities
Courses may be offered at:
- CVHS Campus
- Blinn campus
- Online via Blinn College’s Learning Environment, including hybrid
Academic Dual Credit Courses
Academic dual credit courses must be offered in classes composed (1) solely of academic dual credit students or (2) of both dual credit students and advanced placement students. In the case of technical classes being approved as an articulated course, the dual credit instruction must be a combination of technical dual credit students, college credit students, and/or local articulation students.
In accordance with THECB regulations and SACSCOC, Dual Credit instruction must be the same curriculum, materials, grading, and rigor in all classes regardless of location or modality.
Curriculum Alignment
CSISD is responsible for ensuring that dual credit courses meet the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. Course equivalency is covered by articulation policies for high school and college. All courses offered must be listed in the Crosswalk. College credit and transcripts can only be earned for courses completed through the Dual Credit Program. It will also provide pathways for workforce credentials and industry certifications for students. CSISD will work with Blinn to renew or revise program plans, as needed, through annually updated Crosswalks and other guidance to parents and students at the institution and institution-related meetings.
Blinn will review and update associated programmatic content annually and assure that the certificate or associate degree credential is in alignment with both parties. Blinn will report progress towards the Pathways in Technology Early College Secondary Schools (P-TECH) Program and Career Focus Areas as required by TEA.
All dual credit instructors must meet the College’s credentialing requirements and receive the required orientation and ongoing training by Blinn.
Student Eligibility and Enrollment
- P-TECH students will not be asked to meet a minimum high school GPA in order to enroll in coursework.
- CSISD will administer the Texas Success Initiative Readiness Indicator to enable students to all incoming ninth (9th) graders to assess college readiness and place students into a P-TECH cohort as part of the application process. Grades are not required for P-TECH cohort students.
Grading Periods and Policies
Grading periods and policies for high school courses will be governed by local high school policies and procedures as defined in the CSISD Course Catalog, syllabus and grading policy. Grade Point Average (GPA) scales applied to student records are found in the P-TECH section. P-TECH courses and grades are weighted for GPA purposes as required for college credit.
College grades issued for successful college credit courses will be subject to the authority of Blinn. Blinn grading policies and procedures can be found in the Blinn Course Catalog, syllabus and grade point average, and progress grade policies. Grades for college credit will be submitted based on timing and requirements of the college, and as recorded on the Blinn Grading Policy.
See Appendix D for additional criteria for a P-TECH student’s grading in college credit policies.
Eligible Courses
- P-TECH students must enroll in courses within the crosswalk of approved TEA pathways for college credit as defined in the P-TECH Crosswalk (see Appendix A).
- Students must meet all prerequisites for dual credit courses, including special education accommodations or Section 504 needs, as applicable, and as aligned to TEA guidelines.
- All P-TECH courses shall be approved for dual credit instruction under THECB regulations and the Dual Credit Course Crosswalk.
The P-TECH Pathways Program will provide students a sequence of college credit coursework that could be applied to an associate degree, post-secondary certificate, or industry credential.
Policies
- Blinn will provide adequate instructional support services, including advising and counseling, to meet the needs of dual credit students. Per S.B. 1276 from the 87th Legislature, August B establishes common advising strategies and terminology related to dual credit and college readiness.
- The designated academic advising contact for dual credit is:
Shannon Williford
Director, Dual Credit Programs
979-209-7481
shannon.williford@blinn.edu
Blinn advising resources and materials may be the computer labs, writing center, library, eCampus Orientation and learning centers on any of the College’s campuses and where available.
Online and in-person tools for dual credit courses, including but not limited to eCampus, email support, counseling, the testing center, library, and other support identified by Blinn, will be provided to the course. ITAC 1, Part C, Chapter 4, Subchapter D, $4.85 (h)
Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FASt) Program
The state of Texas has created the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program which provides funding to help students in participating Early College High Schools (ECHS) or P-TECHs receive “educationally disadvantaged” status for reduced or free college tuition for students that are economically disadvantaged. Further, eligible students may have the cost of college tuition and fees waived through FAST. Procedure and eligibility will be communicated each year through CSISD and Blinn for application in the program, in accordance with THECB rules and TEA and Blinn Board Policy.
Dual Credit Waiver
Dual Credit course tuition/fees and eligible expenses may be waived through either TEC, Section 130.003, Section 130.008, Section 130.201, or Section 130.203, or by the Blinn College Board and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board annually. Fees for student materials, technology, books, or classroom supplies must be paid by the student unless otherwise waived per Board policy or written notification. By statute, the institution must provide an annual report of all such costs and waivers.
P-TECH Enrollment and Attendance
Students are eligible to enroll in the P-TECH after they have filled out all necessary application forms, including parental signature forms. CSISD will select students through a blind scoring of each application according to the application rubric. All students enrolled in college credit courses will receive college student records for concurrent enrollment. High school records will be taken by CSISD for all courses offered through the P-TECH pathway.
All high school students enrolled in a college academic dual credit class will follow the official Blinn academic calendar regardless of physical location, class modality, or CSISD calendar. Neither Blinn nor CSISD is responsible for tuition or instructional delivery if there are cancellations that result in a student’s removal from P-TECH coursework unless upon consultation between the appropriate representatives of CSISD and Blinn. If denied necessary by Blinn, lost instructional time shall be made up by amendment to the schedule.
Building a College Culture
CSISD and Blinn will establish a learning community that blends high school and college, proven to help build college-going habits and post-secondary plans; participation in student clubs, college fairs, student orientation and parent and post-secondary nights. Participation in all activities includes students, faculty, staff, and counselors who reflect the diversity of the campus. The institution shall post information about the P-TECH program on their websites to encourage parent, student, and faculty engagement and awareness.
CSISD and Blinn will coordinate each academic year to offer two P-TECH Open House and Application Nights for all seeking to participate in the program.
- Summer and/or post-secondary orientation for students will be provided and Blinn Student Support Services, Compliance, and Academic Affairs will collaborate for delivery at no cost to students. Costs for materials and supplies are at the responsibility of students or as otherwise defined by Board policy.
- Post-secondary and career counseling is recommended for all P-TECH students as a part of the degree exploration and/or career program aligned with industry partnerships.
- Blinn will invite P-TECH students to participate in career readiness and post-secondary transition events regularly conducted on all College campuses each year.
Blinn will schedule faculty and student development opportunities that will promote interaction between P-TECH, Blinn faculty and advisors.
Procedures for Collecting and Sharing Data
Student data will be collected at CSISD in accordance with state regulations and CSISD data collection procedures. All student data will be disaggregated from the High School and general population. Blinn will request all other required student identification data for dual credit programs, including TSI Readiness by grade level, SAT/ACT and STAAR scores, number of hours taken, attendance trends, GPAs, results of grade surveys, and programmatic progress, to assess program effectiveness in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”).
Reports will be made available to Blinn biannually for program use and CSISD and CSISD Board Policy, and available for review in accordance with FERPA (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). When sharing aggregated, non-personally identifiable information, the parties will ensure privacy protection and compliance with all FERPA guidelines.
Only designated college administrators and counselors will access all applicable federal, state, and college level records for dual credit students, including demographic, transcript, and attendance records, to ensure access to view qualified progress for the purposes of instruction, evaluation, and reporting.
Evaluation
CSISD will coordinate to evaluate the duration of the P-TECH program for progress towards annual goals and adjust the program as needed. Blinn will review all direct instruction in courses with current policies related to partner facilities and orientation, as well as paying for adjunct faculty providing instruction to P-TECH students from CSISD annually.
Discontinuation
Discontinuation of the P-TECH program will only be allowed at the end of a grade level cohort, or when a cohort graduates. Discontinuation of the program will provide for the support of students enrolled in the program at the time of the decision for program and meet all the required elements of the post student until completion of their pathway to graduation and meet all of the required elements of the program established for the campus.
Severability
If any clause or provision of this agreement is determined to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this agreement, then and in that event it is the intent of the parties hereto that the remainder of this agreement shall not be affected thereby, and it is also the intention of the parties that in lieu of each clause and provision of this agreement that is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, there be added as a part of this agreement a clause or provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable clause or provision as may be possible, legal, valid, and enforceable.
Termination
This agreement and partnership may be terminated by either party upon ninety (90) days’ written notice of intent to terminate prior to the end of each academic year, unless otherwise agreed in writing by both parties. Upon notice of intent to terminate, CSISD and Blinn will meet to address student progress for the status of the P-TECH students and the parties mutually agree.
Attachments
The following appendices are attached to and incorporated into this MOU:
- Appendix A: Crosswalk
- Appendix B: Advising Terminology
- Appendix C: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
- Appendix D: Blinn Grading Policy
(signatures appear on the following page)
Signatures
| BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT Mary Hensley, Ed.D. Chancellor, Blinn College District Date: 8/26/2024 |
COLLEGE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE STATION ISD Tim Harkrider Superintendent, College Station ISD Date: 8/21/2024 |
Appendix A: Crosswalk
| Year/Grade Level | PEIMS Course Code | High School Course | High School Credits | College Course Number | College Course Name | College Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 / Grade 9 | 13037000 | Introduction to Engineering Design | 1 | N/A | N/A | |
| Year 2 / Grade 10 | 13037100 | Principles of Engineering | 1 | DFTG 1305 | Technical Drafting | 3 |
| Year 2 / Grade 10 | 13037400 | Engineering Science | 1 | CNBT 1301 | Construction Technology I | 3 |
| Year 3 / Grade 11 | 13037200 | Aerospace Engineering | 1 | ENGL 1301 ENGL 1302 |
Composition I Composition II |
3 3 |
| Year 3 / Grade 11 | 13037600 | Engineering Design and Problem Solving | 1 | DFTG 2319 | Intermediate CAD | 3 |
| Year 3 / Grade 11 | 13037300 | Civil Engineering and Architecture | 1 | SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Year 4 / Grade 12 | N1303743 | Engineering Practicum | 2 | CNBT 2342 | Construction Management | 3 |
| Year 4 / Grade 12 | N1303742 | Advanced Manufacturing Practicum | 2 | DFTG 2331 | Advanced Technologies | 3 |
| Year 4 / Grade 12 | N1303743 | Engineering Design and Presentation II | 1 | QCTC 1406 | Testing and Simulation | 4 |
Appendix B: Advising Terminology
- Advanced Placement (AP) – College-level coursework designed by the College Board which provides eligible students the potential to earn college credit with a qualifying score on Advanced Placement exam.
- Advising – Individualized academic guidance to help students design them best in their future education and career goals.
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) – Students can earn credit by examination by taking the CLEP exam.
- Contact Hours – The number of hours a class meets each week.
- Degree Plan – A statement of the course of study requirements that a student must complete to attain an institution of higher education completion certificate or degree.
- Endorsement – High school route for course limits, both in high school and college credit.
- Dual Credit – Dual credit students must request transcripts for course status through the Blinn College Dual Credit Office.
- FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for student records for college credit only.
- Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) – A dual credit program that allows for tuition waivers and waives tuition, books, and required course fees via the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
- Articulation – Academic Agreement with Local Articulated Credit (ACGM) where high schools and colleges mutually agree to provide credit to students who remain continuously enrolled and achieve required grades, as published in the course crosswalk.
- Prerequisite – Requirement that must be satisfied before taking specific college course (test scores, previous completion, or grade earned in a different course).
- Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) – Nontransferable but eligible for technical/career programs where students earn technical-related certificates.
Appendix C: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
As per HB 1638 (85th Legislature, 2017) below is the alignment of state goals for dual credit.
Goal 1: Independent school districts and institutions of higher education will implement purposeful and collaborative outreach efforts to inform all students and parents of the benefits and costs of dual credit, including enrollment and fee policies.
- Collaboration between ISDs and the Blinn College Dual Credit Program to host information sessions for students, parents and community stakeholders.
- Prospective Student Relations: outreach programs such as advising, pre-college plans, and Dual Credit orientation registration events at local feeder campuses every 1-2 years.
- High School Counselor Workhorse as required by the Texas Education Agency to provide students information regarding rigorous coursework and the types of student support services offered.
Goal 2: Dual credit programs will assist high school students in the successful transition to and acceleration through postsecondary education.
- The Office of Prospective Student Relations will provide academic and college readiness guides to students, including how to apply for financial aid.
- The College’s student advising team will advise and guide students through requirements for certificate or associate degree, including workforce readiness goals and participate at Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 dual credit meetings. Communication of all programmatic requirements and planning will be made accessible to students and parents through the website and other notices.
Goal 3: All dual credit students will receive academic and college readiness advising with access to bridge them successfully into college course completion.
- Advising and career guidance delivered to all dual credit students.
- Dual credit students have access to the Learning and Writing Centers (online and in-person), eCampus Orientation, Disability Services, Counseling, the Testing Center, Libraries and Open Computer Labs.
Goal 4: The quality and rigor of dual credit courses will be sufficient to ensure student success in subsequent coursework.
- Intentional: Analysis of academic performance in subsequent course work.
- In accordance with THECB regulations, and SACSCOC, Dual Credit students shall demonstrate college readiness before enrolling in college-level courses and all dual credit coursework must be at college level and comparable with standards required by the institution.
Appendix D: Blinn Grading Policy
Blinn Board Policy EGAA(LOCAL) and Current College Procedures for Grading and Credit
The Board shall establish the manner by which grades, grade point averages, and class rank shall be awarded. These provisions shall include the methods for reporting student achievement on a consistent and equitable format, (GPA). The classification of students based on credits earned, transfer status, student awards, and other required matters. The provisions shall be published in the College District catalog. The College District’s grading system shall be available to students and each instructor shall explain the system employed by the Board. For class rank calculations, unless otherwise specified, courses REQ1
Current College Procedures for Grading and Credit
Grades
At the end of each semester, students will receive a final grade and report that shall be entered on the student record. The College District’s grading system shall include:
| Grade | Description | Grade Points per Semester Hour |
|---|---|---|
| A (90-100) | Excellent | 4 |
| B (80-89) | Good | 3 |
| C (70-79) | Average | 2 |
| D (60-69) | Poor | 1 |
| F (0-59) | Failure | 0 |
| I | Incomplete | 0 |
| IP | In Progress | 0 |
| Q-Drop | Dropped | 0 |
| W | Withdrew from College Courses | 0 |
| NC | No Credit or Good Cause or Withdrawal from College | 0 |
| AU | Audited | 0 |
| PS | Academic Fresh Start | 0 |
| PA | Passing (STEM Developmental Math) | 0 |
- Incomplete (I): indicates that the coursework was incomplete because of serious illness or other justified emergency. The instructor shall change the grade of “I” to a grade when the student completes all of the course work and notifies the College if held in the course in completion status. All incomplete work shall be completed within 90 days of registration.
- In Progress (IP): indicates that a grade is still in progress or that the course has not been completed. An IP does not impact the student’s GPA. An IP is submitted until the course is finished unless the course ends and a final grade is entered. The IP grade is not listed on the student’s transcript.
- Q-Drop: indicates that a student has dropped or withdrawn from a Blinn College District course after the established official government census date.
- Withdrawal (“W”): dropped from a class for official “Q-Day” as established by the Blinn College District. Students may officially withdraw or drop themselves from the course or may be administratively dropped under such policies.
- No Credit (NC): “No Credit or Good Cause” as defined by SB 1276 (2021).
- Academic Fresh Start: law (Education Code, Sec. 51.931) allows students who have academic records below “C” to request exclusion of coursework after returning to college from academic or other life interruptions. This establishment does not apply to courses used as transfer credits.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
College District progress is normally determined by a grade point average or ratio. Grade point is calculated by assigning values to the grades as follows:
- A = 4
- B = 3
- C = 2
- D = 1
- F, I, IP, W, Q, NC, AU, PS, PA = 0
A student’s GPA is determined at the end of the semester or the end of academic decision. If the course was repeated in the Blinn College District, only the most recent grade of “C” or higher is factored into the GPA. A student may obtain an official transcript from the College or request the removal of repeat/non-repeatable courses not counted in the GPA calculation.
High school credit is awarded as the State’s College District Graduation GPA shall reflect the highest semester average at or above a 2.0 for all college credit awarded by Blinn for courses taught under this agreement.
Academic Good Standing is assessed using the College District, at a 2.0, a student must continue to maintain 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. A student who falls into and/or maintains 2.0 semester and cumulative GPA at the end of subsequent long (fall and/or spring) semesters will be placed on scholastic suspension. A student who is on scholastic probation or continued probation will be allowed a maximum of two full semesters (fall and spring) to remain at their Blinn College District because their GPA. Students placed on scholastic suspension must seek readmission and appeal to the institution before being allowed to continue at Blinn after the suspension has ended. Probation, continued probation, or suspension, may be appealed to the academic appeal committee or as otherwise explained at:
www.blinn.edu/administrative-regulations/pdf/Scholastic-Probation-or-Suspension.pdf