NISD 8th Grade Dual Credit Parent Information Session

What is Dual Credit? Dual Credit allows students to receive academic high school and college credits concurrently. Dual Credit college course work is taught at the student’s assigned high school campus (some career technology courses are taught at the college). Dual credit classes are taught by teachers who have a Master’s Degree and are approved by Northwest Vista College (must meet Alamo Community Colleges requirements). NISD has a memorandum of understanding with Alamo Community College District to offer dual credit to our students, and our teachers meet ACCD requirements to teach dual credit classes. Sometimes Career and Technology courses are taught on the college campus.

Dual Credit- House Bill 505 House Bill (HB) 505 - Prohibits the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board from limiting the grade level and number of Dual Credit courses a public high school student may register for in a school year.

Advantages of Dual Credit Provides students the opportunity to enroll in college coursework while in high school and gain college credits. May decrease the cost of college tuition for students and families. Students may enter the workforce sooner with certifications and/or degrees.

Considerations for Dual Credit Grades earned will be posted and affect college transcripts. Too many Dual Credit courses may affect scholarship opportunities. Too many Dual Credit courses may affect tuition rates and financial aid if the student exceeds 30 college credit hours. The qualifying process will be discussed later in powerpoint. Students who earn more than 50% of an associate’s degree become transfer students, jeopardizing scholarship opportunities and potentially increasing tuition rate. Students enrolled in Dual Credit courses should strive to maintain an average of 80. Speak to your counselor, dean or dual credit liaison if your grade is consistently below a 75.

How Do I Qualify for Dual Credit? Step 1: Complete all prerequisite courses Step 2: Complete ApplyTexas Application Step 3: Complete Go FAARR and Test Prep Module Step 4: Register and take Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment Step 5: Enroll in Dual Credit courses Students must have completed prerequisite courses to be considered for dual credit enrollment. The Texas Success Initiative Assessment: Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI)- college readiness assessment used in the areas of reading, writing and math. Students must meet a minimum passing college readiness standard (pending the course): Math: 343-350 Reading: 310-350 Writing Essay: Score of 4 or 5 or essay and multiple choice of 363 ***Please note required minimum entrance scores are subject to change based on phase in standards, which are set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board ***

What Is A Prerequisite? “ A thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen or exist”.

Do I Have To Complete an Application? All students must complete an ApplyTexas Application if they wish to enroll in Dual Credit courses. First time applicants must go to Enroll Texas and complete the ApplyTexas Application. AlamoENROLL Ready, Set, Apply! - Alamo Colleges NISD Dual Credit Registration Manual will assist with this process Note: Once the application is completed students will be issued a “Banner ID”, which will be used as their College Identification (ID) number.

What Do I Do After I Have My Banner ID? Students will use their Banner ID to enroll and complete two REQUIRED modules*: Go FAARR Test Prep Module *Once completed, you MUST print the Module Completion Verification and submit to your middle school campus counselor** These modules prepare students for the TSI and include practice questions.

What’s Next??? Register and take Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment: TSI Assessment will be given at every high school (contact high school campus for dates). Students MUST complete the two modules BEFORE they can take the TSI. Cost of TSI Assessment is ten dollars ($12.00) and will be collected at the high school campus test site.

What Is The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment? College readiness assessment tool used in the areas of: Reading Writing Math

What is the TSI Passing Standard*? Principles of Law: TSI Assessment: Reading 350-390, Writing 363 +w/Essay of 4 or Essay > 5 Fundamentals of Computer Science: TSI Assessment: Reading 350-390, Writing 363 +w/Essay of 4 or Essay > 5 and Math 343-349 Spanish III: TSI assessment for diagnostic purposes Art II: TSI Assessment: Reading 310-350, Writing 363 +w/Essay of 4 or Essay > 5 Fundamental/Principles of Technology: TSI Assessment: Reading 350-390, Writing 363 +w/Essay of 4 or Essay > 5 and Math 350-390 Digital Interactive Media: TSI assessment for diagnostic purposes only *Note: Required minimum entrance scores are subject to change based on phase-in standards, which are set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Students who take the TSI for diagnostic purposes only, will be required to re-take the TSI and to earn college level scores for subsequent courses in other areas, i.e. English, Social Studies, Mathematics and Science.

How To Be Successful In Dual Credit Courses? Five Key Steps For Success: Be proactive...speak to your teacher when trouble arises Attend all available tutoring Create and attend study groups Develop a study time schedule Develop strong study habits

What Are The Grading Implications for Dual Credit Courses? Grading scale* 90-100=A 80-89=B 70-79=C 60-69=D *Note: If a student makes a D or lower in any Dual Credit course (ie, ENGL 1301), they will not be allowed to take the second semester of the Dual Credit course (ie, ENGL 1302). In addition, the student will not be allowed to take ANY Dual Credit courses the following year.

What Is The Process To Withdraw From A Dual Credit Course? Deadline to withdraw from a Dual Credit course is approximately the 11th day of class.* Process for withdrawing: Speak to your teacher. Speak to your Academic Dean, Counselor, or Dual Credit Liaison. See Counselor for course reassignment upon withdrawing from Dual Credit course. *If the class is dropped after the college census/withdraw deadline, a grade of W will appear on the college transcript. This course will count toward the “Three- peat” Rule. ***“Three-peat” Rule - Students who attempt a course for a third or more time will be charged a premium tuition rate.***

Putting A Winning Touch on Your Future

Important Deadlines February 12, 2016 - AlamoENROLL and ApplyTexas application closes. April 15, 2016 - Last day to take the TSI assessment. June 3, 2016 - Last day to re-take individual portions of the TSI assessment. Early Spring 2016  - NISD Dual Credit course registration.    

Contact your high school Counselor. Questions? Contact your high school Counselor. See campus website for contact information.