Madisonville 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: [District Name], 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 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 manage and supervise the Dual Credit Program.
- The College service area includes the following thirteen counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Waller, Washington 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 other courses taught to the institution’s students.
- 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 to be offered each semester will be determined by the College and agreed upon by the District/School. Developmental courses and 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 use available technology as appropriate to support dual credit sites.
- The District is responsible for ensuring 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 and show alignment of endorsements and postsecondary pathways. See Appendix F, Dual Credit Course Crosswalk.
- All College prerequisites and course sequencing shall be followed.
- Student academic performance will be determined in accordance with College Board Policy EGA(LOCAL) (Appendix A).
- The College may set a minimum number of students for enrollment in a course. If this is not met, the course may be canceled.
- Dual credit students taking classes online are strongly encouraged to have scheduled in-school time with a high school proctor.
B. The School
- The School is responsible for providing learning atmosphere and classroom facilities comparable to the College campus, regardless of instructional modality.
- The School will provide instructional technology and necessary equipment.
- The School will provide facilities, personnel, and equipment for online/internet and Interactive Video Conference (IVC) as needed (see Appendix B).
- The School will assign professional personnel to identify, advise, and verify student eligibility according to Applicable Law.
- The School will assign trained personnel to assist with College registration functions.
- For students needing accommodations, the School will initiate the process and students must provide IEP documentation to the College Office of Disability Services (ODS) for verification and arrangements.
- If the College grading scale differs from the District’s, the District/School will provide students with a comparative document of both grading scales (see Appendix A).
- The District/School will communicate to students and parents that high school credit for graduation requires a grade equivalent of 70/100, regardless of a passing College grade. College personnel will not be expected to communicate with parents.
- Dual credit students are not affected by TEC §51.907 (they are not penalized for “Q” drops).
C. Applicable Law
- The Parties will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to: Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, ADA, FERPA, THECB guidelines, TEA guidelines, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools requirements.
- The Parties agree to:
- Certify sites are ADA compliant
- Comply with FERPA
- Comply with all laws applicable to this MOU
- Maintain policies prohibiting discrimination, including harassment
Blinn College District Notice of Nondiscrimination
Blinn College District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. For Title IX concerns or complaints, refer to the College’s Title IX Coordinator and related resources at www.blinn.edu/title-ix/index.html.
Blinn College District’s nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures are available online. Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is prohibited.
Statement on Parenting Services
Any student requiring special accommodations due to pregnancy or parenting status should contact the Parenting Services Office.
Section 2. Dual Credit Admission – Student’s Required Actions
Students may attend the College in the semester they demonstrate readiness. Requirements:
- Written/electronic permission from the high school principal or designee (see Dual Credit Approval Form, Appendix C).
- B average (or C for WECM trades courses) in high school. If lower, written approval letter from principal/designee is required for College determination.
- Complete ApplyTexas application.
- Meet TSI criteria and provide appropriate documentation; submit meningitis vaccine proof if taking in-person classes on a Blinn campus (see immunization requirements). Online or fully on-campus high school students are exempt from the vaccine requirement.
Private, non-accredited, and homeschooled students must meet all admission requirements.
Section 3. Classes and Schedules
- The College coordinates and finalizes course schedules with the School prior to each semester, with enrollment numbers due by May 1 and schedules by July 20 for the following school year.
- All dual credit students follow the College calendar, including for class cancellation or instructional time make-up.
- The number of academic classes a dual credit student may take is as permitted by law, confirmed by the respective program administrator.
- Academic classes must contain only dual credit students or dual credit and advanced placement students. Technical (articulated) courses may include technical or College credit students.
- For face-to-face instruction to be provided at School sites, the campus must be within reasonable commuting distance and meet minimum class size requirements. Multi-district enrollment is permitted to meet this threshold.
- If a face-to-face course is provided at the School, students may not take the same course online except under extenuating circumstances.
Section 4. Faculty
- Faculty teaching dual credit courses must meet College credentialing standards and complete required hiring and orientation.
- District employees may teach dual credit courses as part of their regular assignment, following all regulations.
- Faculty compensation is addressed in Section 6.
- The College has oversight of delivery, evaluation, and administration of the courses taught under this agreement. This does not create liability, employment, or other obligations outside the agreement.
Section 5. Facilities
- Dual credit courses must be provided in facilities meeting accreditation standards; College and District/Schoool will periodically review compliance.
- Representatives assess facilities, class size, and instructional modality at each site.
Section 6. Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) Program
The State of Texas provides FAST funding, allowing educationally disadvantaged students to take dual credit courses at no cost. To qualify, a student must:
- Be enrolled in high school at a public district or charter.
- Be enrolled in a dual credit course at a participating higher education institution.
- Have qualified for free/reduced lunch at any point in the previous four school years.
FAST-eligible students pay no tuition/fees and receive all books and supplies at no cost. Eligibility is verified by THECB, and the School must provide FAST eligibility information by August 5th annually.
Non-FAST eligible dual credit students are charged $56.87 per scheduled credit hour or the current approved tuition rate.
The District is responsible for remaining educational costs for FAST students. The Parties will collaborate on FAST program information dissemination.
Section 7. Tuition
Tuition for dual credit courses is determined as follows:
- Option 1: If the instructor is a College or District employee and receives College pay, NON-FAST students pay the state-approved tuition rate.
- Option 2: If the instructor is a qualified District employee not compensated by the College, NON-FAST students pay $20/credit hour ($60 for 3 hours, $80 for 4 hours). The District receives $500 per section (minimum 8 students required).
- Option 3: For WECM technical courses taught by qualified District instructors not paid by the College, tuition is waived (no cost to student).
Tuition and fees are subject to change by the College’s Board of Trustees or the State.
Section 8. College Faculty Compensation
- Full-time College faculty: compensated per their contract.
- Adjunct instructors: compensated at the current adjunct rate for the course.
Section 9. Syllabus, Curriculum, Supplies, and Textbooks
- Dual credit courses use the same curriculum, grading, and rigor as all College courses.
- A College Common Syllabus is required for each course and must be posted in Concourse.
- Dual credit courses use identical/equivalent textbooks as on-campus. The District provides books and resources for FAST-eligible students; non-FAST students are responsible for their own.
Section 10. Library and Learning Resources
Dual credit students and instructors have access to the School and College libraries and learning resources, including online resources, with the same privileges as other College students.
Section 11. Academic Advising and Student Support Services
A. Advising
- The College provides advising and counseling support, complying with TX SB 1277 and SB 25/1324, including designating an advisor for dual credit students.
- The District/School will collaborate to ensure full compliance with state advising requirements and strategies, as outlined in Appendix G.
- Designated academic advising contact: 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 College policies, including the Student Code of Conduct (catalog.blinn.edu).
- Students must comply with academic regulations regarding integrity (scholastic integrity).
- If removed for incivility, students may not return to class without arranging a conference with the instructor.
Section 13. Funding and Payment
- Tuition and fee payments are due at registration; payment plans available. Non-payment results in course drop.
- Financial Aid is not available to dual credit students (per regulations).
- State funding is available for both College and School per current TEA and THECB rules.
- If a student takes a class more than twice, they pay tuition and an additional fee; technical and FAST students are exempt.
- The College is not responsible for student transportation.
Section 14. Records and Reporting
- Class Rosters
- The College will provide class rosters and final grades each semester to the School.
- Student Records; FERPA
- Each Party maintains student records in conformity with law; both designate the other as an agent with a legitimate educational interest for FERPA compliance.
- Transcription of Credit
- Dual credit should be immediately transcribed upon completion (per TAC §74, Subchapter D).
- Class Rank and Honors
- Class rank determined twice yearly; honors finalized at the end of the third nine weeks.
Section 15. Conflict Resolution
Conflicts should be resolved at the lowest organizational level, with both Parties designating liaisons for conflict resolution. Escalation procedures are in place if resolution is not achieved. Communications and solutions are to be documented.
Section 16. Term and Termination
- Term
- The Agreement is effective June 1, 2024, through the end of the second summer semester of 2027, unless extended by written agreement.
- Termination
- Either Party may terminate the Agreement with written notice 60 days before the end of the current semester; termination will not affect students already enrolled.
Section 17. General Contract Terms
- Entire Agreement: This Agreement, its recitals, appendices, and exhibits constitute the complete agreement.
- Amendments: Must be in writing and signed by both Parties.
- Governing Law; Venue: Texas law governs; venue is Washington County, Texas.
- Notice: Written notice required; contact information for both Parties specified.
- Relationship of Parties: Both Parties act as independent contractors; the Agreement does not create agency or joint venture.
- No Waiver: Delay in exercising rights does not constitute waiver.
- Assignment: No assignment without written consent.
- Captions: For convenience only; do not affect interpretation.
- Severability: Invalidating one provision does not affect others.
- No Third-Party Rights: The Agreement does not create rights for third parties.
Section 18. List of Appendices
The following Appendices are attached and incorporated into this 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
Appendix B: Dual Credit Approval Form
Appendix D: Dual Credit Course Crosswalk
*High School course is subject to change. **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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BECON 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 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | English III or English IV | 3 | All Areas |
Appendix E: Advising Terminology
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- College-level coursework with the potential for college credit based on an exam.
- Advising
- Individual academic guidance for future education and career goals.
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Students earn credit by examination.
- Contact Hours
- Total class hours per week.
- Degree Plan
- Required course outline for degree completion.
- Dual Credit
- Courses taken for both high school and college credit.
- Drop
- Request to be removed from a course.
- Early Admissions
- College-level courses taken by high school students for college credit only.
- FERPA
- Federal law protecting student record privacy.
- ACGM
- Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual for transfer courses.
- Math Placement Exam (MPE)
- Exam for math course placement/credit.
- Prerequisite
- Course required before another course.
- WECM
- Workforce Education Course Manual for technical courses.
Appendix F: Statewide Dual Credit Goals
- ISDs and IHEs will collaborate to inform students and parents on dual credit benefits and costs with accessible documentation (e.g., outreach sessions, events, workshops).
- Dual credit programs will aid students in transition and accelerate postsecondary success through support measures and monitored outcomes.
- All dual credit students will have access to advising, college readiness resources, and support services such as learning centers, counseling, and testing.
- Dual credit courses will maintain sufficient quality and rigor for student success, monitored by student performance data and regulatory compliance.
Signatures
- Blinn College District
- Mary Hensley, Ed.D., Chancellor
Date: 8/12/2024 - School District
- Keith West, Superintendent, Madisonville Consolidated ISD
Date: 8/12/2024