Correspondence Courses

A possible method of earning credit toward high school graduation is for a student to enroll in a distance learning course (correspondence course) from Texas Tech University ISD or The University of Texas at Austin. This differs from a credit-by-exam (CBE) in that students will complete homework assignments over a period of time, with the option of contacting a particular professor for additional help.  In most cases, students are given a length of time (e.g. 6 months) to complete the course at his/her own pace.

Expenses and the arrangements for the process for any correspondence course are the responsibility of the student/parent.  Credit is granted by Chaparral Star Academy upon receipt of official final grade.

Typically, for UT-Austin, an end-of-semester exam will need to be administered at school.  Once the exam has been ordered, students should contact Mr. B to schedule an available 3-hour block for administration.  For Texas Tech, students will take his/her online exam once he/she is ready before the expiration date.  Texas Tech uses an online proctoring tool, Proctorio, for all courses.  A student must pass the final exam in order to receive credit in the course.

Correspondence courses are typically divided into two semesters labeled with an A for first semester and a B for second semester.  For example, if a student enrolled in ALG2A, he/she would receive credit for first semester Algebra II (e.g. 0.5 credits).  Typically, to earn a full credit, students need to take BOTH semesters (e.g. two correspondence courses (A and B)).

All correspondence courses must be completed by May 1st of the respective school year for the student to earn credit during that school year.

Please note that if a student takes a correspondence course for Algebra I, English I, Biology, English II or US History, he/she is still required to pass the respective state assessment End-Of-Course exam as a graduation requirement.