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Trustees press district on 8-week dual-enrollment shift after Laredo College moves to shorter terms
Summary
District staff reported expanded dual-enrollment offerings — including 69 eight-week sections and 24 16-week sections — and presented student survey and course outcome data. Trustees and faculty raised concerns about course rigor, facilitator access to course materials and the need for closer coordination with Laredo College.
Laredo ISD presented expanded dual-enrollment offerings and early outcomes after Laredo College moved many courses to an eight-week term. District staff told trustees the district offered 69 eight-week course sections and 24 16-week sections in the fall and reported measurable enrollment and completion gains.
Monica Geis and district staff described benefits of dual enrollment: simultaneous high-school and college credit, reduced time to degree and lower family tuition costs. "We offer many different pathways," Geis said, and staff reported a 5-year increase in dual-enrollment course enrollments, an additional 1,149 course enrollments in the most recent year and growth to 46 adjunct instructors by the end of fall.
Student feedback and outcomes: The district surveyed students in eight-week courses; staff summarized the results: "87% of our students rated the overall quality of the courses as good or excellent," and 97% of students met LISDdistrict passing criteria (A/B/C) on the pilot offerings. For workforce (HB 5) courses staff reported 92 course completions and a 98% district passing rate; the meeting included course-by-course pass-rate comparisons between campuses and formats.
Trustee and faculty concerns: Several trustees asked whether an eight-week format is appropriate for younger students. Trustee Ordona asked, "Is it good for 15 year olds?" and sought evidence of effectiveness for middle- and early-high-school students. Laredo College professor Dr. Gil Martinez, who spoke as a college instructor, said, "They can learn as much course material as an instructor can provide in 8 weeks," but added that he personally "had to cut out material from the 8-week course" because of time constraints.
District response and implementation actions: Staff acknowledged variables that affect outcomes (teacher, facilitator preparation and course selection) and described next steps: 1) continued data collection and course-by-course analysis; 2) creation of a focus group with Laredo College to examine the eight-week model; 3) strengthened coordination so facilitators and adjuncts gain earlier access to the college course shell; 4) professional development and campus-level degree-plan reviews; and 5) exploration of LCUpswing online tutoring and other supports. Trustees recommended further follow-up to measure whether dual-enrollment participation corresponds to longer-term college success.
What remains unresolved: Staff said Laredo College has not reversed its shift to mostly eight-week terms and the district will continue to monitor performance and negotiate with LC and other IHE partners about term length and supports for younger dual-enrollment students.
