College Credit Opportunities
Garland ISD offers students a variety of options to earn college credit while in high school. These programs are in conjunction with the College Board and local community colleges.
Motivated students may graduate from high school with 12 or more college credit hours. Advanced Placement, Concurrent Enrollment, Dual Credit, International Baccalaureate and Tech Prep are ways to connect to college while completing high school.
Advanced Placement
The Advanced Placement Program sponsored by the College Board offers college level courses at high schools across the United States and Canada. Advanced Placement courses are offered at all Garland ISD high schools and identified by the abbreviation AP in the course title. Classes prepare students to take Advanced Placement exams at the end of each school year. The exam results are reported in the form of a number from 1 to 5. Most American colleges and universities give credit to students who receive a 3 or better on their Advanced Placement exams.
Dual Credit
Dual Credit provides the opportunity for high school students to take courses that offer college credit and also count toward high school graduation requirements.
These courses are normally taken at the high school and are taught by a high school teacher with appropriate credentials, or by a college instructor.
Students participating in dual credit courses realize several benefits such as developing a college transcript while still in high school, experiencing a college curriculum, realizing a financial benefit by not having to attend college classes away from home, and optimizing resources provided by the community college or four-year institution.
Current dual credit course offerings
International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is a comprehensive curriculum that responds to the needs of gifted talented high school students. The IB program is offered as part of the magnet program at Garland High School.
Students become proficient in English, math, history, science, a second language, and chosen electives while participating in an in-depth exploration of the study of human behavior and the process of educational inquiry. Successful completion of the course work and IB examinations at the junior/senior level may earn students credit or advanced placement at colleges or universities.
Additional Resources
- 2009-2010 GHS IB Course Guide Supplement
- GISD International Baccalaureate Program
- IB Program at Garland High School
Tech Prep
Tech-Prep is a college-preparatory program that provides students with academic as well as applied technical skills. The high school program prepares students to continue in a college program that leads to a minimum of a two-year post secondary degree (or apprenticeship license). Consequently, Tech-Prep high school graduation plans are based on the high school Recommended Program.
A Tech- Prep student’s high school graduation plan includes a coherent sequence of two (2) or more career and technology courses for three (3) or more credits. At least one of these career and technology courses must be eligible for college credit through articulation allowing the student to earn college credit after graduating from high school and enrolling in a college offering programs in this field.
Concurrent Enrollment
Concurrent enrollment provides the opportunity for high school seniors to remain in high school and take courses for college credit at the same time.
These courses do not count for high school credit unless special circumstances exist and dual credit has been approved in advance by Executive Director of School Improvement.
Specific guidelines for Concurrent Enrollment
- A student may not leave campus before 1:00 p.m. to attend a college course.
- A student may not leave campus to take a college course which is is aligned with high school courses offered on the student's GISD campus as an Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Credit course.
- A student who wishes to take college courses after school or in the summer is free to do so, but high school credit for these courses is not available unless prior approval has been granted.
- Students enrolled in college courses in this manner must pay any required tuition and fees and purchases any necessary textbook or materials.
Students may apply to Eastfield College or Richland College by completing an application and furnishing the college a letter of approval from the GISD high school principal. Students must then register during regular registration times and pay regular tuition fees and textbook costs.