Faith Academy
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:
Faith Academy School
a Texas Public independent school district and political subdivision of the State of Texas, (District/School) with an effective date of June 1, 2024 (Effective Date). Individually, the College and the District hereafter may be referred to as "Party" and collectively as "Parties."
Recitals
- Whereas, Texas Education Code (TEC) §§ 28.009, 22.189, 22.184, 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 enter into an agreement with a public school district, private school, or open-enrollment charter school to offer dual credit courses to eligible high school students.
- Whereas, the College and District/School desire to establish a dual credit program (Dual Credit Program) to be conducted at:
- Faith Academy School
- Now therefore, for the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the Parties agree to the terms and conditions as follows:
A. Blinn College District (College)
- The College is a public community college district authorized to provide college-level courses under Texas Education Code Chapters 61, 130, and 135 and related state law. The District’s service area includes: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Washington, and Waller counties, Texas. The College’s main campus address is: 902 College Avenue, Brenham, Texas 77833.
- Dual Credit courses are college courses for which high school students earn both college and high school credit. Courses must meet Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and 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 at school expense shall be consistent with the curriculum, policies, procedures, and rules of the College and shall not jeopardize the accreditation of the College. Developmental courses are not available to dual credit students. Kinesiology courses that count toward the high school credit are not available for dual credit students.
- Dual credit courses may be offered during any semester in a location and delivery method as approved by the School and College representatives. The School is responsible to determine which educational pathway is appropriate to support dual enrollment goals.
- Dual credit courses are subject to the same requirements, expectations, and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. A course equivalency chart is supplied in Appendix D. The College reserves the right to update the Crosswalk as necessary to maintain compliance with the requirements set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or to address changes in the standard offered curriculum, program, or the Professional and Workforce Development curriculum offerings. The District/School will be notified within 60 days of any updates.
- The District/School will initiate the required evaluation and accommodation process as governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, as applicable.
- 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 not be granted only if the student received a grade that is the equivalent of 70 on a scale of 100. College personnel will not be expected to communicate with parents.
- Dual credit auditors are not affected by the provisions of TEC §51.907; therefore, dual credit students with Q drops will be recorded as an W and will not be included in the above listed six-state-drops.
C. Applicable Law
- The Parties agree to operate the Dual Credit Program and perform their obligations under this Agreement in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws and guidelines for dual credit, including but not limited to, instructional hours, and administrative rules, and as otherwise established by the Board of Trustees or as may be promulgated from time to time by the Texas Legislature, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the United States Department of Education (USDE), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and any other regulatory authority with appropriate jurisdiction applicable to the subject matter of this Agreement collectively shall be referred to as "Applicable Law" or "Applicable Laws" when used herein.
- The Parties agree:
- To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as applicable,
- To comply with all applicable provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. §1232(g),
- In all cases, to comply with all federal, state, and local laws applicable to this MOU; and
- To have in place and abide by 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 as required by Title IX, including in admission and employment.
Inquiries or complaints about Title IX, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other violations of College policy may be directed to the following, who serves as the College’s Title IX Coordinator as well as the Section 504 and ADA Coordinator:
902 College Avenue
Brenham, Texas 77833
Administration Building Room 219
979-830-4700
titleIXcoordinator@blinn.edu
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, please see Board Policy DIAA.
Blinn College District Statement on Parenting Services
Because of the demands of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting status, may require accommodations in accordance with state and federal law. Requests for pregnancy accommodations or a parenting student accommodation should contact the classroom accommodations to a student will transition from the Parenting Services Contact on their individual campus. For further information, see: Parenting Services.
Section 2. Dual Credit Admission - Student's Required Actions
- Students may attend the College under dual credit admission status as determined in accordance with the Dual Credit Admission requirements established by the College and Department of Higher Education.
- Admittance is subject to Blinn’s admission requirements.
- Earn a minimum of "B" or better average in all prior coursework for admission in academic dual credit courses; a minimum of "C" in technical courses is required.
- Obtain written or electronic permission from the high school principal or designee and a parent or guardian (see Appendix B).
- Achieve college-readiness via an approved method.
- See College Admissions and eligibility requirements for details: https://www.blinn.edu/dual-credit/eligibilityrequirements.html
- Meeting the college requirements of applicable law.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine. The College, in compliance with TEC § 51.9192, requires the bacterial meningitis vaccination for all new students enrolling in classes after January 1, 2012. Students must provide documentation to the College Enrollment Services Office or a certificate signed by a health practitioner testifying they have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. Currently, students who are not physically present at school for their Dual Credit Program while taking classes exclusively at a School facility, or for completely online students, are exempt from this requirement. Any person on Blinn College Campus must provide proof of the meningitis vaccination. See http://www.blinn.edu/health/vaccine.html for more information.
Students who are enrolled in private or non-accredited secondary schools, or who are home-schooled, must meet all admission requirements set forth in Appendix B.
Section 3. Classes and Schedules
- Prior to the start of each semester, the College will coordinate and finalize the proposed course schedules with the District/School. Scheduling is subject to minimum class size guidelines agreed upon by the College. No changes will be made to the class schedule except as mutually agreed by both Parties, and should be proposed before the beginning of the next school year. The School will notify the College at the earliest possible date if a class is cancelled or has low enrollment.
- Students may enroll in both academic and technical courses. Students may enroll in up to seven (7) credit hours per fall or spring semester and up to six (6) credit hours per summer term, unless otherwise agreed to by both Parties.
- For dual credit programs that include technical classes and/or combinations of academic/technical courses, the credit assigned to each class is based on annual approved placement students. In the case of technical classes being approved 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 or another high school campus, the campus must be within a reasonable commuting distance from a Blinn College campus, a minimum class size number will be required. The Parties agree that the minimum number of students for a face-to-face course in which the instructor is provided face-to-face instruction may be composed of students from the District/School as well as other area schools. The minimum class size required for face-to-face instruction will differ with the District’s dual credit representative for specific instructional alternatives. The College will not be responsible for but will provide transportation.
- If the College provides face-to-face instruction on the College campus, students may not attend lab or lecture courses without meeting eligibility circumstances, as determined by the Divisional Dean.
Section 4. Faculty
- The College is responsible for recruiting instructors on the School’s campus and for credentialing guidelines posted by the College. Blinn will make each instructor who is teaching a course under this Agreement a credentialed member of the College faculty, with all corresponding rights and responsibilities. The instructor’s employment status at the School does not change.
- Only qualified members of the College faculty who meet credentialing guidelines as set forth in applicable law, may be assigned to teach courses for dual credit.
- All instructors assigned to teach courses for dual credit will comply with the requirements, including attendance at faculty training, as established by the College.
- Faculty members who evaluate instruction for the College will be assigned by the appropriate academic division to evaluate dual credit instruction. Their discussions, including recommendations resulting from instructional course evaluation and program/course assessment processes. The responsibilities set forth in this section do not alter the employment status of any Party’s personnel, create liability for either Party, or negate the requirement of an employee of either the College or the District to comply with the policies of that employee’s employer.
Section 5. Facilities
- Per SACSCOC accreditation guidelines, dual credit courses are offered in adequate physical facilities located under the control of the College or under the control of the School. The College will assess the facility prior to the beginning of instruction and periodically review facilities to ensure compliance.
- College and District/School Representatives at each site will assess the facilities, determine the class size, and check for accessibility requirements.
Section 6. Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) Program
The state of Texas has created the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program allowing eligible high school students and their parents. The FAST provides free tuition for approved academic dual credit courses. The courses that are eligible for the FAST program must be “core curriculum, field of study, or program of study transfer courses” found in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Lower-Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM). These courses are referred to as FAST-eligible student courses.
- Students are eligible to enroll at no cost in dual credit courses under the FAST program if the student meets the following criteria:
- Is enrolled in high school in a school district or charter school;
- Is enrolled in a dual credit course that is eligible for the FAST program;
- Has not already completed 15 semester credit hours of dual credit courses under the FAST program.
- The public work opportunity of FAST-eligible academic and dual credit courses applies to students who meet eligibility criteria. For Non-FAST-eligible courses, students and/or districts may be required to pay the College $50.67 per credit hour for tuition and fees.
The College will submit the reimbursement for services to the District at the end of each long semester.
Section 7. Tuition
Students enrolled in dual credit courses under the Dual Credit Program will pay tuition for ACGM and WECM dual credit courses according to the following option(s) below:
- Option 1: If, an instructor who is a College or District employee provides dual credit instruction regardless of location or modality, a Non-FAST student enrolled in the Dual Credit program would pay the State of Texas approved tuition rate for the current academic year.
- Option 2: If, a qualified and approved instructor employed by the District is utilized for a course and the College does not pay the district additional funding for the instruction; THEN, the tuition amount would only pay $20 per credit hour (e.g. $60 for a three (3) hour course, or $80 for a four (4) credit hour course). Additionally, under this option, the District will receive a reimbursement of service payment of $500 for each course section of dual credit. A minimum of eight (8) students are required for each course in the Dual Credit Program.
- Option 3: If, a qualified and approved instructor employed by the District is utilized for a technical (WECM) dual credit course, regardless of whether the tuition amount is remitted to the instructor; THEN, the tuition amount would only pay $20 per credit hour (e.g. $60 for a three (3) hour course taught by a high school teacher) plus materials and instructor pay.
*During the Term, no beneficiary referenced in this Agreement. The credit hour tuition rates set out above shall not be increased without approval by the College’s Board of Trustees or the State of Texas.
Section 8. College Faculty Compensation
- Full-time College Faculty will be paid by the College.
- College adjunct will be paid by the College.
- Payment schedules and arrangements for the District/School employing qualified instructor(s) will be determined in writing in advance, including, but not limited to, reimbursement rates and payment timelines.
Section 9. Textbooks
- Dual Credit courses will utilize digital or equivalent textbooks, as the course offered on campus. The College is not responsible for the payment of textbooks for students. As per HB 3650 (87th Legislature, 2019), the District/School and the College will consider the use of free or low-cost open educational resources in place of traditional textbooks. These resources will be reviewed collaboratively and collaboratively by academic personnel from the College and District/School.
- As of August 2024, the College is an active participant in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program. Students that are not eligible for Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) funds will be responsible for purchasing any required textbooks or additional resources required for the class(es). Students identified as FAST eligible will incur the cost of required textbooks or additional resources required for the class(es). Cost of books and additional resources will be provided by the District.
Section 10. Library and Learning Resources
Dual credit students and instructors may use the library and other resources offered by the School or any of the College campuses. District/School may purchase Blinn College’s online library resources. Additional learning support services are available at the College, including computer labs, tutoring, and writing centers.
Section 11. Academic Advising and Student Support
- Advising and College Services
- College provides each District/School student a designated campus dual credit academic advisor. The advisor will counsel students on college policies, including course registration, withdrawal, and selection of course sequences.
- The designated 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.
Section 12. Student Code of Conduct
- Dual credit students must comply with College policies and procedures, including the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the College Catalog.
- Students must comply with the College’s academic regulations as it relates to academic integrity.
- If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of a disciplinary matter, the student may not return to that class until after attending a conference with the instructor or the school’s representative. The school will notify the parent and/or guardian, if appropriate, regarding the situation.
Section 13. Funding and Payment
- Tuition and expenses may be paid in one class or to the school by one payment for each course and each semester, or in a plan as available to support FAST eligible courses. Each school is responsible for approving available payment policies in advance. Students eligible for tuition waivers and exemptions must provide documentation of eligibility in accordance with Section 3(A)(4).
- All college tuition and fees must be paid by the published due date. The Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) allows up to three payment plans for tuition and fees, including a 10% to 25% installment at the time of registration. The District/School or parent/guardian is responsible for payment of tuition and fees for non-FAST eligible non-waiver/exemption students.
- The College will bill the District/School after each long semester for all tuition and fees and provide an itemized list of charges to the District/School. The District/School may pay costs for each student or class as mutually agreed.
- If a student requests to take a class more than twice, he or she will be responsible for the tuition for that course and a $50.00 per credit hour fee for the course. Technical courses and FAST-eligible students are exempt from this fee. (see Blinn College Catalog – College Expense)
- The College is not responsible for the transportation of dual credit students.
Section 14. Records and Reporting
- Class Rosters. The College will provide class rosters (listing the names and grades in a numerical format of dual credit students completing the course) to the school and the District.
- Student Records; Record Retention; FERPA. In accordance with Applicable Law, each Party is responsible for maintenance and protection of student records. Dual credit students’ educational records will be maintained in accordance with FERPA and state law. Each Party designated its own FERPA responsibilities in the Record Retention laws. Each Party designated its other Party as its agent for the purposes of education records for federal and state reporting purposes, as mutually agreed to. Blinn College’s FERPA policy is found at: http://www.blinn.edu/ferpa/
Section 15. Conflict Resolution
The Parties agree to resolve any dispute that may arise in the course of this partnership amicably at the local level before discussing or submitting the matter for resolution to the applicable governing board, supervising authority of one of the parties, and/or a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Conflicts should be resolved at the lowest level possible with an understanding that, if no agreement is reached, there is a procedure for advancing the conflict through each Party’s organization. The key approach will be to maintain communications with clarity and to provide a summary of concerns/conflicts and solutions summarized in writing after each discussion. In order to be collaborative, the College must be able to communicate with the administrators on campus in which dual credit students/programs are present.
Each Party shall designate an administrative liaison for the purpose of resolving concerns and/or for contact purposes. Disputes not resolved by the designated administrative contact may be elevated in the order set forth in this section, or as mutually agreed by the parties or designated by Texas law. Disputes may be resolved by the designated District-level administrator, then the District or College Operating Board, and the dispute could be elevated to the Chancellor of the College and the Superintendent of the District/School (or designee) if required. If the Chancellor or the Superintendent (or designee) does not resolve the matter, the Chancellor and Superintendent may escalate the conflict resolution to the President and Vice Chancellor, Student Services of the College as a last resort. If no solution is found, non-binding mediation may be requested. Disputes should not be handled through the Parties’ internal grievance process.
Section 16. Term and Termination
- Term. The Term of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date (Commencement Date) and shall run for a period of one year, unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Agreement may be renewed in writing for succeeding one-year terms if both Parties mutually agree.
- Termination. Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving written notice of its intent to do so to the other Party not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the proposed termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no termination shall take effect with regard to students already enrolled in the Dual Credit Program until such time as those students have completed their dual credit courses.
Section 17. General Contract Terms
- Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Recital, the Appendices, and any and all of which are incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement of both Parties regarding the subject matter herein described. 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 upon the representations and agreements contained in this Agreement only.
- Amendments. This Agreement may be modified and amended only by written signatures of both Parties, and any such modification or amendment shall be effective only if it becomes a part of this Agreement.
- Governing Law; Venue This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, except the Parties waive the right to seek injunctive relief. Venue for all disputes arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be in the county in which Blinn College is located.
Notice. All notices hereunder by either party shall be in writing and delivered (1) personally, (2) by U.S. Mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested), (3) nationally recognized overnight courier (signature required) or (4) by email (confirmation required) to the following addresses (or to such other addresses as either party may from time to time designate by written notice to the other party).Blinn College District
Mary Hensley, Ed.D., Chancellor
902 College Avenue
Brenham, Texas 77833Name of School:
Faith Academy School
City, State, Zip Code: Bellville, TX 77418Contact: Shannon Williford, Director Dual Credit Programs
- Relationship of the Parties. In the performance of their respective duties hereunder, the Parties hereto and their respective employees and agents, are at all times acting as independent contractors with respect to each other (notwithstanding the foregoing, employees of the District may teach college courses as adjunct professors of the College or through some other teaching arrangement, if such arrangement is approved in advance by the Parties). This Agreement does not create a partnership or joint venture between the Parties; nor does it authorize either Party to serve as the legal representative for or agent of the other. No Party will have the authority to act for or bind the other Party in any respect, to incur any obligation or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, on behalf of the other Party, or to commit the other Party in any manner whatsoever to any obligation. This Agreement is entered into for the exclusive benefit of the Parties hereto, their respective successors and permitted assigns, and no other person or entity shall have any interest under this Agreement, or be deemed to be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.
- Indemnification and Hold Harmless. To the maximum extent allowed by law, each Party agrees to be responsible for any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, judgments, costs, actions, fines, penalties, claims, obligations, and demands directly arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of their respective employees or agents.
- Assignment. This Agreement is only assignable by either Party after mutual written consent. This Agreement may not be assigned or transferred otherwise, by operation of law or otherwise, except such assignment or transfer as may occur as a matter of law to a surviving or resulting entity in any merger, acquisition, or reorganization of either party.
- Severability. If any part of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, such part will be excluded to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, and all other terms of this Agreement will remain in force.
- No Third Party Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an implied or expressed waiver of the College’s or School’s sovereign immunity. Nothing in this Agreement will create or be deemed to create a relationship between the Parties as third-party beneficiary or fiduciary.
- Counterparts; Electronic Signatures; Electronic Transmissions. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which will be deemed an original and all of which will constitute one and the same instrument. Each Party may rely on facsimile or electronic signature pages as if such facsimile or electronic versions were originals. The Parties consent to receive documents, information, and notices via electronic mail.
Section 18: List of Appendices
The following appendices are attached to and incorporated into this Blinn College Dual Credit Program 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: Dual Credit Statewide Goals
Executed by the parties as of the Effective Date of: 8/12/2024
BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT
Mary Hensley, Ed.D., Chancellor
Faith Academy School
Signed copies and dates omitted for brevity; see original document
Appendix A: Regarding Grading System EGA(LOCAL) and Current College Procedures for Grading and Credit
The Board shall establish the manner by which grades shall be determined and entered officially on the student's academic record. The provisions set forth here shall include the methods for reporting student grades, the calculation of a student's grade point average (GPA), the classification of students based on credits earned, the transfer of credits, the student standards of performance, grade improvement, and any other relevant matters. The provisions shall be published in the College District catalog. The Chancellor shall develop procedures for recording and awarding credit and credit provisions adopted by the Board. (For class rank calculations and honors determinations, see BGB)
Current College Procedures for Grading and Credit
- 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.
- 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 through a process or withdrawn from College
- CR - Credit
- P - Pass
- NP - Not Passing
- FS - Academic Fresh Start
I - Incomplete
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 based on the work completed for the course in addition to the work specified in the course completion contract. All incomplete work shall be completed within 90 days of the start of the next long semester. Failure to complete the work specified in the course completion contract shall result in a grade of zero, which shall be factored into the final grade calculation with appropriate weighting relative to other course grades.
Q - Dropped
Assigned before or on the official "Q-Date" as indicated on the College calendar when a student is officially dropped from a course.
"W" is assigned before or after the "Q-Date" if a student is passing the course at the time the official drop is processed.
- Drop Due to Good Cause: Before or after the official "Q-Date" as indicated on the College calendar when a student is officially withdrawn due to satisfactory completion of a drop petition for good cause.
- Severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student's ability to satisfactorily complete the course;
- The student's responsibility to provide primary care for a family member;
- Death of a family member;
- Active military duty service;
- Other good cause as determined by the College District.
A student may not be permitted to drop a course after the official "Q-Date" except as described above.
The standards of academic progress, class attendance, and the official College calendar will determine eligibility for continuing in classes.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
College GPA is normally determined by a grade point average or ratio. Grade points shall be calculated by assigning values to each letter grade. The value is illustrated in the chart below:
| Grade | Grade Points per Semester Hour |
|---|---|
| A | 4 |
| B | 3 |
| C | 2 |
| D | 1 |
| F, I, Q, W, CR, P, NP, FS | 0 |
The highest grade of a repeated course shall be used in determining the cumulative GPA. A student with a grade of "W" or "S" shall not receive a grade of "F" or higher for the repeated course, but a grade of "F" shall replace a grade of "W" or "Q".
Grade averages are calculated for courses taken at the College only. In computing a student’s College grade point average, only grades earned