KOR Education School
AGREEMENT FOR THE BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM
This Agreement for the Blinn College District Dual Credit Program (“Agreement”) is by and between BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT, a public community college established under Chapter 130 of the Texas Education Code and a political subdivision of the State of Texas (“College”), and: KOR Education, a Texas Public independent school district and political subdivision of the State of Texas (“District”) with an effective date of June 1, 2024 (“Effective Date”). Individually, the College and the District are referred to herein as “Party” and collectively as “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Texas Education Code (TEC) §§ 28.009, 29.182, 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 received by a student for such course; and
WHEREAS, the College and the District desire to establish a dual credit program (“Dual Credit Program”) to be operated as part of the District’s KOR Education high school (“School”).
NOW THEREFORE, for the mutual promises and covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the Parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. GENERAL CRITERIA
A. Blinn College District (College)
- The College will designate a leadership team to be in charge of the management and supervision of the Dual Credit Program.
- The College service area includes the following thirteen counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Waller and Washington Counties and parts of Milam, Montgomery, Robertson and Walker Counties.
- The College will ensure that dual credit courses follow the same quality, sequencing, content, and rigor, as those courses taught to the institution’s other students. [SACSCOC standard]
- In accordance with Applicable Law, the College will offer dual credit courses listed in the current edition of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) and Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM). Courses offered in each semester shall be determined by the College and agreed upon by the District/School. Courses provided by the College under this Agreement shall be consistent with the educational purpose, mission, and goals of the College and shall be under the direct control of the College. Developmental courses are not available to dual credit students. Kinesiology courses that count towards the high school graduation physical education requirement will not be offered to dual credit students.
- Dual credit courses may be offered during any semester in a location and classroom mutually agreed upon by the School and College. The College will seek every opportunity to use available technology as appropriate to support dual credit sites.
- The District is responsible for ensuring that dual credit courses meet the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. A course equivalency crosswalk will be used to equate high school courses with college courses. Such crosswalk identifies the number of credits that may be earned for each course completed through the Dual Credit Program. It will also provide an alignment of endorsements offered by the District and its corresponding dual credit course.
- All College prerequisites must be met and all College course sequencing shall be followed.
- A participating student’s satisfactory academic performance in a course provided under the Dual Credit Program shall be determined in accordance with College Board Policy EGA(LOCAL), which is attached in Appendix A.
- The College reserves the right to set a minimum number of students for enrollment in each course. If this minimum is not met, the College reserves the right to cancel the course.
- The College strongly encourages dual credit students taking classes online to have an in-school time scheduled 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 offered on the College campus, regardless of modality of instruction.
- The School will provide instructional technology and other auxiliary equipment typically used in support of classroom instruction.
- The School will provide facilities, personnel, and equipment to meet the particular requirements for online/internet, Interactive Video Conference (IVC).
- The School will assign professional-level personnel, as applicable and agreed upon, to be responsible for identifying, advising, and verifying prospective students’ eligibility to participate in the Dual Credit Program in accordance with Applicable Law.
- The School will assign trained professional-level personnel to assist with College registration functions.
- The School/District will initiate the process for course accommodations due to a disability by providing students with documentation outlining required accommodations and services under an Individual Education Plan (IEP). It is the student’s responsibility to provide the IEP documentation to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at the College.
- 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.
- Although a student may pass a College class with a grade of D, the District/School is responsible for communicating to students and parents that under 19 TAC § 74.26(c), credit for courses for high school graduation may be earned only if the student received a grade which is the equivalent of 70 on a scale of 100. College personnel will not communicate with parents.
- Dual credit students are not affected by the provisions of TEC §51.907. Therefore, dual credit students with Q drops will be recorded as a W and will not be penalized as one of the allowed six-state-drops.
C. Applicable Law
- The Parties agree to operate the Dual Credit Program and perform their obligations under this Agreement in compliance with all applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Section 504, ADA, FERPA, Texas Education Code, and requirements of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, TEA guidelines, and SACSCOC.
- The Parties agree:
- To certify that their sites are ADA compliant;
- To comply with all applicable provisions of FERPA;
- To comply with all federal, state, and local laws applicable to this MOU;
- To have in place and abide by policy prohibiting discrimination, including harassment, based on protected classes.
Blinn College District Notice of Nondiscrimination
Blinn College District does not discriminate based on sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator or the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
- Title IX Coordinator:
- Dr. Adrienne McCain, 902 College Avenue, Brenham, Texas 77833, Administration Building Room 219, adrienne.mccain@blinn.edu, 979-830-4216
See nondiscrimination policy: www.blinn.edu/title-ix/index.html. To report sex discrimination: https://www.blinn.edu/title-ix/reporting-information.html.
The College will investigate all Title IX complaints or concerns that arise in dual credit courses. The College and the District will work collaboratively and timely to share information in the event of an investigation. Ownership of the Title IX investigation will depend on the location in which the incident occurred.
Blinn College District Statement of Nondiscrimination
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.
Blinn College District Statement on Parenting Services
Any student who, because of pregnancy or parenting status, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the Parenting Services Office.
SECTION 2. DUAL CREDIT ADMISSION – STUDENT’S REQUIRED ACTIONS
Students may attend the College during the semester in which the student demonstrates readiness for College-level courses or is otherwise eligible in accordance with Applicable Law. The following requirements for admission must be met:
- Obtaining written or electronic permission from the high school principal or designee.
- Earning a "B" or better average in all high school work attempted (or “C” for WECM trades courses). Students with lower averages must provide a letter of recommendation.
- Completing a College Application for admission through ApplyTexas;
- Meeting the following requirements of Applicable Law:
- Satisfying current TSI criteria for dual credit as determined by the THECB.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine, unless only taking classes at the School facility or online.
Students from private or non-accredited secondary schools, or who are homeschooled, must meet all admission requirements set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 3. CLASSES AND SCHEDULES
- Prior to the start of each semester, the College will coordinate and finalize the proposed course schedule with the School. The School will submit the anticipated number of students per course by May 1 and the proposed course schedule by July 20 for the next school year.
- All high school students enrolled in a College academic dual credit class will follow the official College calendar regardless of location or instructional modality. Cancellations shall be processed through the School administration and the College.
- A student may take the number of academic classes permitted by Applicable Law; the College’s Dual Credit Program administrator and the School’s representative will confirm such standards.
- Academic dual credit courses must be taught in classes composed solely of dual credit students or with advanced placement students. Technical classes may be combined as approved.
- For face-to-face instruction at the School, a minimum class size is required, which may include students from other schools. If not met, alternatives will be explored.
- If face-to-face instruction is provided on campus, students may not take the same course online except as approved by the Divisional Dean.
SECTION 4. FACULTY
- Faculty assigned to College dual credit courses follow the same credentialing guidelines as all College faculty and must complete required hiring procedures, including background checks and orientation.
- Approved District Dual Enrollment Faculty may teach as part of their regular high school assignment and must follow all regulations of both District and College.
- Faculty teaching dual credit courses will be compensated as set forth in Section 6 below.
- College academic leadership oversees instructional delivery, credentialling, assessment, and evaluation of dual credit instructors. This does not alter employment status of staff or create liability for either Party.
SECTION 5. FACILITIES
- Per SACSCOC accreditation guidelines, dual credit courses are offered in adequate physical facilities, under the control of either the College or the School. The College will assess the facility before and during instruction.
- Representatives will assess facilities, determine class size, and select instructional modality.
SECTION 6. FINANCIAL AID FOR SWIFT TRANSFER (FAST) PROGRAM
The FAST program provides funding for dual credit courses at no cost to educationally disadvantaged students. Students eligible for FAST must be enrolled in an eligible dual credit course and qualify for free/reduced-price lunch within the past four years.
FAST-eligible students pay no tuition, fees, or course material costs for eligible courses. Eligibility is determined by THECB, with District/School verifying and reporting students by August 5.
Non-FAST eligible students pay $56.87 per scheduled credit hour or the State-approved tuition for the academic year.
The District/School incurs all remaining educational costs for FAST students, such as fees, textbooks, and supplies.
SECTION 7. TUITION
Students pay tuition for dual credit courses per the following options:
- Option 1: If taught by College or District employee and College pays instructor, a NON-FAST student pays the State-approved tuition.
- Option 2: If a qualified District instructor teaches and College pays no overload, NON-FAST students pay $20 per credit hour. District receives $500 reimbursement per section (8+ students required).
- Option 3: If a qualified District instructor teaches a technical dual credit course and College pays no compensation, tuition is waived for students (no cost).
Credit hour tuition and fees may change during the Agreement term as set by the College Board or State of Texas.
SECTION 8. COLLEGE FACULTY COMPENSATION
- Full-time faculty: compensated per contract.
- Adjunct instructors: compensated based on the course rate.
SECTION 9. SYLLABUS, CURRICULUM, SUPPLIES, AND TEXTBOOKS
- Dual Credit instruction must use the same curriculum, materials, grading, and rigor as all College classes.
- A College Common Syllabus must be posted for each course.
- Identical/equivalent textbooks will be used. The District/School and College will consider free/low-cost open educational resources.
- Students not eligible for FAST must purchase required textbooks; FAST-eligible students will have these costs covered by the District.
SECTION 10. LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES
Dual credit students and instructors may use both School and College library resources, including online resources and campus services.
SECTION 11. ACADEMIC ADVISING AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
A. Advising
- The College will provide instructional support services including academic advising in compliance with TX SB 1277 (2021), TX SB 25 (2019), and TX SB 1324 (2019).
- The College’s academic advising contact for dual credit: Shannon Williford, Director, Dual Credit Programs, 979-209-8218, shannon.williford@blinn.edu
B. Support Services
Dual credit students may access College computer labs, writing centers, and learning centers.
SECTION 12. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
- Dual credit students must comply with the College’s Student Code of Conduct and all College policies (http://catalog.blinn.edu/).
- Students must comply with academic integrity policies.
- Students asked to leave a class for incivility may not return until arranging a conference with the instructor.
SECTION 13. FUNDING AND PAYMENT
- Tuition and fee payments are due at registration. Students will be dropped for nonpayment.
- Financial Aid is not available for dual credit students per federal law.
- State funding may be claimed by both District and College per current TEA and THECB rules for eligible courses.
- Students taking a course more than twice pay tuition and $50/semester hour (technical/FAST students exempt).
- The College is not responsible for student transportation.
SECTION 14. RECORDS AND REPORTING
- The College will provide end-of-semester class rosters/grades to the School.
- Both Parties will maintain records in conformity with Texas law and FERPA, sharing necessary information to operate and monitor the Dual Credit Program.
- Dual credit courses will be transcripted for both high school and college credit upon completion.
SECTION 15. CONFLICT RESOLUTION
The Parties agree to resolve issues collaboratively and in good faith, escalating matters through designated liaisons and administrators, and if necessary, legal counsel.
SECTION 16. TERM AND TERMINATION
- The Agreement term begins on the Effective Date and expires on the last day of the second summer semester of 2027 but may be extended by mutual written agreement.
- Either Party may terminate with or without cause by written notice no later than sixty (60) days before semester end. Termination does not disrupt students already enrolled in ongoing dual credit courses.
SECTION 17. GENERAL CONTRACT TERMS
- Entire Agreement
- This Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between the Parties.
- Amendments
- Modifications must be in writing and signed by both Parties.
- Governing Law
- Texas law governs this Agreement, with venue in Washington County, Texas.
- Notice
- Notices shall be provided in writing as specified.
- Relationship
- Independent contractor status.
- No Waiver
- No rights are waived by delay or partial exercise.
- Assignment
- No assignment without written consent.
- Captions
- Captions are for convenience only.
- Severability
- If any part is invalid, the remainder stands.
- No Third Party Rights
- This Agreement benefits only the Parties.
- Counterparts; Electronic Signatures
- May be executed electronically or in counterparts.
SECTION 18. LIST OF APPENDICES
- 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
EXECUTION
Executed as of the Effective Date of ____________________, 2024 by:
- Blinn College District
- Mary Hensley, Ed.D., Chancellor
- Name of School
- KOR Education School, Director: Gena Richter, 7/31/2024
APPENDIX A: Grading System
The Board establishes grading and credit policies as further detailed in the College Catalog. The Chancellor develops procedures to implement these provisions.
Grades
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| A (90-100) | Excellent |
| B (80-89) | Good |
| C (70-79) | Average |
| D (60-69) | Poor |
| F (Below 60) | Failure |
| I | Incomplete |
| Q | Dropped |
| W | Dropped Due to Good Cause or Withdrawal |
| CR | Credit |
| P | Pass |
| NP | Not Passing |
| FS | Academic Fresh Start |
See the full appendix in the College Catalog for grade change, GPA calculation, and academic standing policies.
APPENDIX B: Dual Credit Approval Form
2024-25 Dual Credit/Early Admission Course Approval Form
I agree to these provisions of admission and understand I must abide by the rules and regulations of the Blinn College District. I understand the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) applies once enrolled in a college course.
| Course Name | Semester | CRN | Day/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| [To be completed] | |||
Required signatures: Student, Parent/Guardian, High School Principal or Designee, and College Designee.
APPENDIX C: Notice of Reimbursement of Services
Schools providing credentialed faculty for dual credit will receive $500 per long semester per approved section with eight or more students.
APPENDIX D: Dual Credit Course Crosswalk
| Course Number | Blinn College Course Title | High School TEKS Course* | College Credit | Endorsement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON 2301 | Principles of Macroeconomics | Economics | 3 | All Areas |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication | Public Speaking | 3 | All Areas |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | English III or IV | 3 | All Areas |
*High School course alignment may change and is determined by the High School.
** Each school district determines which courses they will offer as dual credit.
APPENDIX E: Advising Terminology
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- College-level coursework designed by College Board with potential for credit upon exam.
- Advising
- Individualized academic guidance for students.
- Dual Credit
- High school students take college courses for both high school and college credit.
- FERPA
- Federal law to protect privacy of student records.
APPENDIX F: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
- ISDs and IHEs will implement outreach efforts to inform students/parents of dual credit benefits and costs:
- Joint informational sessions, community events, counselor workshops
- Programs will assist students in successful transition and acceleration to postsecondary education.
- All dual credit students will receive academic and college readiness advising.
- The quality and rigor of dual credit courses will be sufficient to ensure student success in subsequent courses.
Measures and examples are included for each goal as outlined in state requirements.