Lexington 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 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:
Lexington ISD
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 44.008 and Title 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 4, Subchapter D, Chapter 6, Subchapter F authorize institutions of higher education to contract with public independent school districts and charter schools to offer dual credit courses to qualified students for dual course credit; and
WHEREAS, the College and the District desire to establish a dual credit program to benefit their respective students;
NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Dual Credit Admission Criteria
A. Blinn College District
- The College will admit students enrolled in the District who have been recommended by their high school principal or designee to enroll in courses for both college and high school credit, as permitted by TEC, TAC, and SACSCOC guidelines governing dual credit programs.
- Students must meet the College’s admissions requirements and must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements as defined in TAC, Chapter 4, Subchapter C, or must be exempt based on appropriate testing (see Appendix D).
- The College will notify the District/School if a student is not eligible for dual credit.
B. Dual Credit Courses
- 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 offered 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 the available technology to provide instruction.
- The District is responsible for ensuring that dual credit students have met Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. A course equivalency crosswalk will be established with the District to ensure the course equivalency of college and high school courses. The District/School is responsible for certifying that all dual credit courses may be offered for college and high school credit. (See Appendix D.)
- The College is responsible for the selection, supervision, and evaluation of all personnel providing instruction for dual credit courses and for the provision of essential learning resources and support services. College faculty must meet SACSCOC and THECB credential requirements for the courses they teach (see Appendix A).
- The District/School will be responsible for identifying a high school counselor to work with the College’s Dual Credit Program in accordance with Section 11.
- 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 the ones 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 instructional tools, personnel, and equipment to meet the particular requirements for the online/internet, Interactive Video Conference (IVC). Appendix B describes video class regulations.
- The School will assign professional-level personnel, as applicable and as agreed upon in Section 7. Each semester, during the registration period for advising, and verifying prospective students’ eligibility to participate in the Dual Credit Program in accordance with Section 2.
- The School will assign trained professional-level personnel, as applicable and as agreed upon in Section 7. The personnel will be responsible for interpreting, directing, and approving students’ eligibility to participate in the Dual Credit Program.
- The School/District will initiate the processes necessary to provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in compliance with each respective law and regulation. (See Section 18.) Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations from the College in accordance with College policy.
C. Applicable Law
- The Parties agree to operate the Dual Credit Program and perform their obligations under this Agreement in compliance with the following: applicable provisions of the United States Constitution and all federal statutes, regulations, and executive orders applicable to the College District; the Texas Constitution and all state statutes, rules, and regulations applicable to the operation and administration of this Agreement; all statutes, rules, policies, and procedures adopted by the College District; and all relevant polices and procedures of the District/School.
- The College shall comply with Blinn Board Policy EG (Legal/Local), as amended or superseded, in its performance of this Agreement. The College will likewise comply with all rules and regulations of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, including TAC Title 19 Part 1 Chapter 4 Subchapter D, Title 19 Part 1 Chapter 9, and Title 19 Part 1 Chapter 21.
- The Blinn College District does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please contact the College’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Adena Martinez.
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 District District policy. For more information, please see College Board Policy DIA.
BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT STATEMENT ON PARENTING SERVICES
Any student who, because of their pregnancy or parenting status, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the Parenting Services Office. The following requirements must be provided to allow classroom accommodations to a student until verification from the Parenting Services Office has been provided. For additional information, please contact the Parenting Services Office.
Section 2. Dual Credit Admission - Student’s Required Actions
- Students must complete and file all documents in the manner in which the student demonstrates readiness for College-level courses or eligibility as determined in accordance with Applicable Law. The following requirements are required before the start of classes:
- Completion of the dual credit/early admission application to Blinn College via ApplyTexas;
- Submission of a current official high school transcript/resume;
- Submission of required test scores—TSI or test exemption documentation;
- Meeting all deadlines listed at Blinn College’s Dual Credit Website; and
- Providing written consent/approval of a parent/guardian on file at the College.
- 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 to the College Enrollment Services Office a certificate signed by a health practitioner indicating they have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. This requirement does not apply for students enrolled in the Dual Credit Program who will take classes exclusively at a School facility, or for those who meet the legal exemption. Dual credit students taking classes in-person on any Blinn College Campus must provide proof of the meningitis vaccination. (Refer to http://www.blinn.edu/immunization.html for additional information.)
- Students who are enrolled in private or non-accredited secondary schools, or who are homeschooled must meet all admission requirements set by the College.
Section 3. Classes and Schedules
- Prior to the start of each semester, the College will coordinate and finalize the proposed college schedule with the School. The School will review and confirm the dual credit courses each summer before including the list in the school guidance counselor handbook and student course registration.
- Each semester, the high school will request the desired dual credit courses for the following academic year for their students. The College will be responsible for the scheduling and course assignments. The District/School will be responsible for ensuring that all enrolled students meet prerequisites and are approved for the selected courses.
- Courses will be scheduled to accommodate high school schedules, student needs, and class sizes.
- For the College to provide face-to-face instruction for an academic dual credit course on the School or another high school campus, the campus must be within a reasonable commuting distance from a College campus, and a minimum class size number will be required. The Parties agree that the minimum number of students for a dual credit course in which the instructor is to hold College face-to-face instruction may be composed of students from the District/School as well as one or more other school districts or educational institutions. If there are fewer than the minimum number of students required, the Office of Dual Credit Programs will confer with the District’s dual credit representative to explore instructional alternatives. The College will not be responsible for and will not offer dual credit courses unless the minimum is met, not including extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Divisional Dean.
Section 4. Faculty
- The faculty assigned to College dual credit courses will meet the credentialing requirements in accordance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) guidelines. Faculty assigned by the College will be responsible for teaching the College’s course syllabus, submitting grades, and completing appropriate documentation.
- For high school faculty who are to teach dual credit courses, such faculty shall be credentialed by the College in accordance with SACSCOC and the College’s faculty hiring policies and procedures.
- The District/School shall be responsible for identifying and recommending qualified faculty members who wish to teach dual credit courses and who meet minimum credentialing standards.
Section 4.B. does not alter that 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 continually meet the policies of their employee’s employer.
Section 5. Facilities
- Per SACSCOC accreditation guidelines, dual credit courses are offered in adequate physical facilities, either 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 select the instructional modality.
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 to colleges at no cost to the student for dual credit tuition and mandatory fees at the time of registration for these students. The Texas Education Code (TEC) defines “educationally disadvantaged” as students who are, or have been eligible to participate in the free or reduced-price lunch program under the national school lunch and child nutrition program (42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq.). Students who meet these requirements are eligible for a FAST eligible tuition fee waiver.
- A core curriculum requirement
- A field of study requirement
Eligibility for the FAST program is determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Each semester, the College is required to submit a roster of dual credit students to THECB for verification of FAST eligibility. In order to prepare and submit this roster, the District/School agrees to identify and verify to the College the students enrolling in the Dual Credit Program that meet the eligibility requirements for the FAST program. This verification shall occur by August 9th.
Students are eligible to enroll at no cost in a dual credit course under the FAST program if the student meets the following criteria:
- Is enrolled in a high school district or charter school.
- Is enrolled in a dual credit course at a participating institution of higher education.
- Is educationally disadvantaged at any time during grades K-12 or is enrolled in the dual enrollment course in the dual credit course described below:
- A dual credit course for which the student would be charged tuition and dual credit eligibility under the Blinn College Dual Credit Program. For Non-FAST eligible student enrollment, the District/School and the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian will be responsible for payment of tuition and fees for the course(s) or a portion thereof. Under current procedures, the District/School may elect to have the student’s tuition/fees paid partially or in whole by the District/School directly to the College or by authorizing the College to bill the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian for a portion of the tuition/fees.
As per HB 3650 (87th Legislature, 2019), the District/School and the College will work together to offer free or low-cost open educational resources to all students under this agreement. These resources must be free to students for all dual-credit courses. Students will be responsible for a $500 course access fee for each dual credit course, unless FAST eligible.
Section 10. Library and Learning Resources
Dual credit students and instructors may use library and learning resources provided by the School or any of the College campuses. Access privileges include the College’s electronic library resources. The College library policies and hours of operation are located in the Blinn College Student Handbook (https://www.blinn.edu/library/library-policies.html).
Section 11. Academic Advising and Student Support Services
- The designated academic advising contact for dual credit for the College is:
Shannon Williford
Director, Dual Credit Programs
979-209-5218
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, including procedures, including the Student Code of Conduct as available in the College Catalog: http://catalog.blinn.edu.
- Students must comply with the College’s academic regulations:
- Attendance for dual credit students aligns with the same attendance policies applicable to all other College students. Absences will be reported to the high school, if the student is required to maintain attendance for the purpose of state or local reporting or truancy protocol, please consult Board Policy, FLB.
Section 13. Funding and Payment
- Dual credit tuition and fees in the amounts set forth in Appendix F are due from students or as approved in writing by the District. FAST-eligible students are exempt from tuition and fees, but not from the required purchase of textbooks or online access fees for their courses.
- Students are responsible for payment of tuition and fees as outlined by the College dual credit payment terms. Each term’s tuition and fee schedule is available at http://www.blinn.edu/dual-credit/payment.html.
- Any non-payment may subject the student’s Blinn College record to a hold and may prevent registration, the release of the student’s official transcript, and other registration privileges.
- If a student requests to take a class more than once, he or she will be responsible for the tuition for that course and $50.00 per semester hour for the course. Technical courses and FAST-eligible students are exempt from this fee. (See Blinn College Catalog - College Expenses)
- The College is not responsible for the transportation of dual credit students.
Section 14. Records and Reporting
A. 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 at the close of each semester.
B. Student Records; Record Retention; FERPA
In accordance with Applicable Law, each Party will maintain student records and is responsible and accountable to operate the Dual Credit Program. The College will provide one party copy of the grades, progress, information, and reports to the District/School. Student records will be maintained in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Section 15. Conflict Resolution
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 early discussion sought on issues/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 the dual credit students/programs are present.
Section 16. Term and Termination
- Term. The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date as indicated on page 1 and shall remain in effect until terminated as provided herein.
- Early termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by either Party giving written notice as outlined in Section 17(C). If either Party terminates the Agreement, the Parties shall continue to perform their obligations hereunder until such time as students have completed their courses.
Section 17. General Contract Terms
- Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Recitals, the Appendices, and any exhibits, all of which are incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties regarding the subject matter herein. 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 and no others.
- Amendments. This Agreement may be modified and amended only by written signatures of both Parties, and any such modification or amendments shall be made a part of this Agreement as if fully incorporated herein.
- Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed, construed by, and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof. The Parties irrevocably consent to jurisdiction and venue in Washington County, Texas for any action taken under this Agreement.
- Notice. All notices hereunder by either party shall be in writing and delivered (1) personally; (2) mailed certified mail, return receipt requested; or (3) sent by overnight delivery service to the addresses indicated below, or to such other address as may be designated by notice in writing in the manner herein provided:
BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT
902 College Avenue
Brenham, TX 77833
Attn: Dr. Cliff Lightfoot
Contact: Shannon Williford
Contact: Dr. Cliff Lightfoot
Signatures omitted for brevity - 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 and performing as independent contractors of each other.
- Counterparts; Electronic Signatures; Electronic Transmissions. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, by facsimile or electronic images, 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 pages 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 EG(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
Appendix A: Regarding Grading System
Current College Procedures for Grading and Credit
The Board shall establish the manner in which students’ grades shall be determined and credit shall be awarded. Procedures shall include the methods for reporting student grades, the calculation of a student’s grade point average (GPA), the determination of students based on credit earned, the transfer of credits, student standards of performance, grade appeal procedures, and any other relevant matters. The provisions shall be published in the College District catalog. The Chancellor shall develop written procedures to implement Board policy as adopted or as directed by the Board. (*See final rank calculations and honors graduation, see RG8)
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:
- A
- 90-100 – Excellent
- B
- 80-89 – Good
- C
- 70-79 – Average
- D
- 60-69 – Below 60 – Failure
- F
- Failing
- I
- Incomplete
- Q
- Drop
- NP
- No Pass
- PS
- Passing 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 should 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 grades.
- Q - Dropped: assigned before or on the official “Q-Date” as indicated on the College calendar when an student is officially dropped from a course.
- Q-Dropped Due to Good Cause: assigned before or on the official “Q-Date” as indicated on the College calendar when a student is officially dropped due to “good cause” as defined by state law.
- A severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course;
- Care for a sick, injured, or needy person if providing that care affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course;
- The death of a person who is considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student;
- The student’s active military service;
- A change in the student’s work schedule that is beyond the student’s control;
- Any other cause designated as “good cause” by the applicable THECB rule and Board Policy or by the College’s procedures.
**Note: No “Q-drop” shall be awarded for students impacted by SB 1231 when he or she has exceeded the Q-drop limit and is receiving the SB 1231 DROP EXEMPTION (see College catalog under "Q” for more details).
Health Science Grading System
The grading system for Health Science programs differs from the approved College Grading Scale in both letter minimum high point and course syllabi.
Students not meeting these standards in competitive entry programs may continue to enroll in courses outside the discipline as long as they maintain minimum college requirements.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
College progress is routinely measured by a grade point average (GPA). Grade points shall be calculated by assigning values to each 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 | 0 |
| P, NP, FS | 0 |
The highest grade of a repeated course shall be used in determining the cumulative grade point average. A grade of “W” or “Q” shall not replace a grade of "F" higher in a repeated course, but a grade of “B” shall replace a grade of “C” or “D”.
All grades earned while attending Blinn College, except as provided for, will be considered in calculating the cumulative student GPA as detailed in the College Catalog and Board Policy Manual. The calculation of GPA shall be made each semester and shall include college-level and developmental work.
A student who desires to have a grade changed must request so in writing from the appropriate academic dean within sixty calendar days of the awarding of the grade. The student must initiate contact no later than the last day of the semester following the issuance of the grade (i.e., spring or fall).
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. A student who fails to achieve a minimum 2.0 semester and cumulative GPA at the end of subsequent semesters will be placed on scholastic suspension. A student with a semester GPA of greater than 2.0 and a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 will remain on scholastic probation. Students being placed on scholastic probation will receive an email at their Blinn College Buc account. Cumulative grade point average is calculated on all college coursework attempted. Students being placed on scholastic suspension will receive an email at their Blinn College Buc account.
A student who wishes to appeal the academic policies above must submit a separate appeal for reinstatement if financial aid is also in question.
Appendix B: Dual Credit/Early Admission Course Approval Form 2024-25
Appendix C: Notice of Reimbursement of Services
Date: ___________
To: Tom Swift, Superintendent, ABC ISD, 9876 Hwy 190, P.O. Box 511, ABC, Texas 77000
Re: Blinn College District reimbursement for services of High School faculty teaching Dual Credit classes during AY 2024-2025
From:
- ABC ISD agrees that the said class will be required to have a minimum of eight (8) students in order to run the course.
- The College agrees to reimburse ABC ISD for faculty services rendered by the teachers listed above after these hours are approved and invoiced to the College Dual Credit Class.
- The College will submit the reimbursement for services to the District at the end of each academic semester.
Budget Code: __________________
Mary Hensley, Ed.D., Chancellor of the Blinn College District Date: _______
Tom Swift, Superintendent, ABC ISD Date: _______
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 courses they will offer as dual credit.
| Course Number | Blinn College Course Title | High School TEKS Course* | College Credit | Endorsement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCOM 2301 | Principles of Macro Economics | Economics | 3 | All Areas |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication | Public Speaking | 3 | All Areas |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | Public Speaking | 3 | All Areas |
| SPCH 1321 | Business & Professional Communication | Public Speaking | 3 | All Areas |
Appendix E: Advising Terminology
As per SB 1276 (86th Legislature, 2019) below is the terminology related to advising for dual credit and college readiness.
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- College-level coursework endorsed by the College Board which students the potential to earn college credit with a qualifying score on the final AP exam.
- Advising
- Individualized academic guidance for students to help them succeed in their future education and career goals.
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- A program in which students can earn credit by examination by taking the CLEP exam.
- Contact Hours
- The minimum number of class hours each week that meets each requirement.
- Degree Plan
- A statement of the courses of study a student must take that, when completed, will qualify them for graduation from high school or college.
- Dual Credit
- High school students take college level courses, for both high school credit and college credit simultaneously.
- Drop
- Request to be dropped from a class during registration. Dual credit students must request to be dropped from a class before the published Q-Date.
- Early Admissions
- Students enroll in courses before high school graduation for college credit only.
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA