Round Rock ISD College Credit in High School Comparison Chart

	A	B	C	D	E
1		AP - Advanced Placement	Dual Credit (ACC)	IB - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme	OnRamps (UT)

2	Infographic Link	AP Infographic	Dual Credit Infographic	IB Infographic	OnRamps Infographic
3	What is it?	College-credit bearing classes that are more challenging and faster paced than traditional high school courses	College-credit bearing classes that have the rigor of a college course and allow a student to simultaneously earn high school and college credit	College-credit bearing classes that focus on teaching students to think critically and independently with a focus on inquiry, logic, and international-mindedness	College-credit bearing classes where students are concurrently enrolled in a high school course and college course with a focus on self-regulated learning; allows students to earn a high school grade and college grade
4	Who teaches the course?	High school teacher who has received training through College Board	ACC professor or HS teacher who also serves as an adjunct professor for ACC. (Master's degree in the field required or ACC approval of relevant work experience)	High school teacher who has received training through the International Baccalaureate Organization	High School course is evaluated and faciltiated by an OnRamps certified high school teacher who delivers daily lessons. College course is evaluated and monitored by the college professor who works with high school teacher and provides assessments.
5	Where is the course taught?	On the high school campus	On the high school campus, college campus, or online	On the high school campus	On the high school campus
6	What grade levels can participate?	9th-12th	9th-12th	11th-12th	9th-12th
7	What is the curriculum?	Standards provided by the College Board with syllabus approved through the AP Audit process. Must also meet TEKS standards if End of Course STAAR Exam tested.	Standards provided by ACC. Student is still responsible for the associated End of Course STAAR Exam where applicable (i.e. US History).	Standards provided by International Baccalaureate. Must also meet TEKS standards if End of Course STAAR Exam tested.	Standards provided by UT. Meets TEKS standards.
8	How do students qualify?	Meet high school prerequisites as noted in the course catalog	Meet high school and college prerequisites as noted in the course catalogs, and meet the associated TSI requirements.	Meet high school prerequisites as noted in the course catalog and be enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme	Meet high school and college prerequisites as noted in the course catalog
9	How do students enroll?	Indicate course choice on course selection sheet	Indicate course choice on course selection sheet. Complete the ACC HS Programs enrollment steps.	Indicate course choice on course selection sheet	Indicate course choice on course selection sheet
10	How is credit awarded?	Students register for and take the associated AP exam. Exams are scored on a scale of 1-5. Credit is determined by individual colleges/universities, with scores of 3 or higher receiving college credit at Texas public colleges and universities per legislative rule.	High school and college credit is awarded. Students receive a college grade which is recorded on both the high school and ACC transcript. The high school credit is awarded with a grade of a C or better, although college credit may be granted with a D.	Students register for and take the associated IB exam. Exams are scored on a scale of 1-7. Credit is determined by individual colleges/universities, with scores of 4 or higher typically receiving college credit.	Students earn a high school grade based on all assessed activities in the course (tests, quizzes, homework and daily work), which is recorded on the high school transcript. Students earn a college grade based on the college exams, which is recorded on a college transcript. The grades awarded for high school and college may be different. The student has the opportunity to accept or decline credit before it is awarded on a college transcript. There is no penalty if a student chooses not to pursue the college credit.
11	Is the course weighted?	Yes, for core and world language courses	No	Yes, for core and world language courses	Yes, all OnRamps courses are core courses
12	Does it count in GPA and class rank?	Yes, for core and world language courses	No	Yes, for core and world language courses	Yes, all OnRamps courses are core courses
13	How many courses can a student take?	Unlimited	Unlimited, first 12 courses are free tuition and fees, after that students pay	Six each year, for a total of 12	Unlimited
14	What are the associated costs?	AP exam cost is determined by the College Board and is approximately $100 per AP exam plus a processing fee. Fee reductions and subsidies are available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.	Courses in the core curriculum are at no cost to RRISD students. Students may need to purchase college textbook or resources which could cost $100-$200.	IB exam cost is determined by the IB Organization. Registration fee is $172 each year, and approximately $119 per IB exam plus a processing fee. Fee reductions and subsidies are available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.	If covered by the legislative appropriation, course cost will be $149 per course with a subsidy available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.There are no additional textbook or resources costs, but there is a small processing fee.
15	How are textbooks handled?	Course resources are provided by the high school campus.	Course resources are purchased by the student. In some cases, the high school campus may have textbooks for students to borrow.	Course resources are provided by the high school campus.	Course resources are provided by UT and/or are open source.
16	When are courses available?	Courses are embedded during the school day as part of the student schedule during the school year.	Courses may be embedded during the school day as part of the student A/B schedule, as a cohort model with one course offered M/W and another offered T/TH, or as a stand alone class opposite an off period. Courses may also be taken at an ACC campus during the school year or in the summer.	Courses are embedded during the school day as part of the student schedule in 11th and 12th grade during the school year. It is a two year commitment.	Courses are embedded during the school day as part of the student schedule during the school year.
17	What do colleges/ universities accept?	Credit accepted at public state schools for scores of 3 or higher, and elsewhere at the discretion of the college/university	Credit accepted by public state schools in Texas, and elsewhere at the discretion of the college/university	Credit accepted at public state schools for the full diploma, and elsewhere at the discretion of the college/university	Core credit guaranteed to transfer to any public state college or university, and elsewhere at the discretion of the college/university
18	What graduation regalia or special recognition might students receive?	AP+PLTW Recognition, AP Scholar Awards, AP Capstone Diploma cord, AP International Diploma, Performance Acknowledgement (earning a score of 3 or higher)	Performance Acknowledgement (12 or more credit hours earned with a grade of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0)	IB Diploma, IB Stole and Cord, Performance Acknowledgement (earning a score of 4 or higher)	UT OnRamps Cord, Performance Acknowledgement (12 or more credit hours earned with a grade of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0)
19	What are the advantages?	Widely-recognized by colleges and universities. Strong test-takers tend to do well. Students can pick and choose which course(s) they are interested in taking. Stduents who take AP classes are more prepared for college regardless of their performance on the AP exams.	Students receive credit as soon as they pass the course. Grades are based on multiple assignments and assessments across the semester. All courses available are core courses.	Comprehensive program across multiple subject areas. Extended essay component provides great material for college essays and scholarship applications.	Successful performance generates a University of Texas transcript which is accepted at almost all colleges and universities. Students do not have to meet TSI prior to enrollment. Students may get credit for the high school course without earning credit for the college course. All courses available are core courses.
20	What are the disadvantages?	College credit is dependent on a single exam score. Not all institutions accept credit. Credit may be granted for a college elective rather than core courses.	If a student does not pass the college course, they do not get high school credit. Not receiving credit impacts SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) which may impact financial aid opportunities. FERPA applies. Parents will not be able to engage with professors about their students.	Exams are required for six subjects. Credit may be granted for a college elective rather than core courses.	The discovery learning format or self-directed learning format may not be a good fit for all students. Additionally, some students may not prefer digital resources and online assessments.
21	Additional Notes and Considerations	All Texas public colleges/universities are required to give credit for scores of 3 or higher. However, they can determine whether the course would count as credit for a core course or as an elective. What colleges and universities accept varies greatly nationally. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm credit acceptance policies. See https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement/credit-policy-detail to look up specific institutions.	ACC transcript is generated and can be submitted to any institution for review. ACC credit is accepted at most Texas colleges and universities. What colleges and universities accept varies greatly nationally. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm credit acceptance policies.	The IB Diploma is accepted internationally. In Texas, a student earning the IB diploma is guaranteed at least 24 hours of college credit at Texas public colleges and universities. Institutions may grant credit for individual courses even when a student did not complete the full diploma. What colleges and universities accept varies greatly nationally. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm credit acceptance policies.	UT transcript generated. UT course credit is accepted at most colleges/universities, but will be reviewed by each institution. What colleges and universities accept varies greatly nationally. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm credit acceptance policies.
22	More Information	https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement/credit-policy-detail	https://www.austincc.edu/academic-and-career-programs/dual-credit-programs/dual-credit-program	https://www.ibo.org/university-admission/recognition-of-the-ib-diploma-by-countries-and-universities/	https://onramps.utexas.edu/
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