Welcome to the Valley! We are glad you are considering having your student join us in the TVCC Dual Credit program. We want to help you help your student succeed in dual credit, and realize that often the first step to success is your support! The information and resources below should help with navigating this fun new aspect of your student's education.
Dual Credit Admissions & Enrollment Steps
Parent Resources
Assisting your Dual Credit Student
College level courses are different. Things to encourage students to think about:
• College gives students a tremendous amount of freedom.
• No one is watching them on a daily basis.
• No one knows whether they're doing the assignments, but them.
• Students should be prepared to do most of their learning on their own.
• Self-motivation and discipline are important, as well as the ability to appropriately manage their time.
• The general rule is: For every one hour spent in class, college students should spend two hours out of class reading, studying, and completing assignments.
• Remember to let them do it on their own.
• Dual Credit students are treated no differently than any other TVCC student.
• There are no parent conferences.
• Communication regarding TVCC students is restricted due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
• College is the time for parents to make the transition from being the primary advocate to becoming a supporter.
• Help your child learn by instilling the message that their academic success depends on them taking responsibility for their own education and behavior.
Support systems are available at TVCC, such as learning labs, free tutoring, career planning, transfer services, and computer access, but students must seek out the services, ask for the help, and follow through. You can make sure your child finds out about all the resources available by visiting the TVCC website.
We understand that you want the best for your child; that is why you have encouraged him/her to enroll in Dual Credit courses. It is natural to want to help your child with this process and their classes. However, due to the FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), colleges cannot release a students' academic information to anyone, even parents, without the students' written consent. FERPA calls for protection of student records once they turn 18 or attend a school beyond the high school level and Dual Credit students fall under this classification.
If students are under 18, parents still retain their rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution (TVCC) to the high school.
Freshman & Sophomore Academic Enrollment Procedure:
• Student must have completed all three sections of the TSI, but only pass the Reading and Writing sections.
• Freshman students must possess an overall 8th grade average of a B.
• Sophomore students must possess a high school GPA of a 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
• Student must possess attendance and discipline records reflecting acceptable threshold.
• Student who do not meet the attendance and discipline threshold will be required to meet with TVCC officials for an interview.
Student must provide the following documentation:
• College readiness (TSI, ACT, PSAT, SAT) test scores
• Copy of high school transcript
• Copy of attendance record
• Copy of discipline record
• Letter of recommendation from principal
Freshman & Sophomore Workforce Enrollment Procedure:
• Student must have completed all three sections of the TSI (while we require testing, scores do not have to complete the area requirement for admissions)
Dual Credit Program Benefits
As a parent, each day you are helping your child to make important decisions about their future. We know that you probably have many questions as to why your child should enroll in dual credit courses. Below we explain several of the advantages associated with taking courses at the college during their high school experience.
College Status
Your teenager is an official college student with access to the full range of services offered to all students at Trinity Valley Community College. These include college academic planning services, career services, access to the library and student activities, use of the physical fitness facilities, computer labs and academic support services. These services are free for all dual credit students to utilize while they are enrolled.
Convenience
TVCC‘s courses can be taught at local high schools, at the college or online depending on the arrangements made with your child’s ISD and high school counselor. Students can easily remain involved within their high schools while enrolled in community college courses.
Close to Home
Students can stay connected to their home and current high school while making the transition into college life. Being close to home during this transition enables parents to help their students with the process and offer any support that students might need.
Cost Effectiveness
Like most parents, you are probably concerned with the rising costs of higher education. Taking local dual credit courses costs less than regular college courses. Tuition and fees at TVCC are a fraction of the cost of four-year institutions, making a college degree financially feasible. When students obtain a high school diploma, they could also be graduating with several hours of college credit that is transferable to any public college or university in Texas. Your child could be able to start college a step ahead—saving you anywhere from $10,000-$20,000.
Student Success
These courses will enable your child to become familiar with the expectations of college academics while allowing him/her to have continued support from their high school and family. Taking college-level courses enhances your child‘s ability to make a smooth transition onto a college campus. This opportunity assists students in learning to navigate the higher education system and provides them a glimpse of the college experience.