FORT WORTH, Texas — High school students and their teachers from Crowley Independent School District converged on the campus of Tarleton State University Fort Worth today to celebrate the signing of Tarleton Today’s newest dual credit program.

Beginning this fall, more than 200 Crowley and North Crowley high school students can earn university credit on the Tarleton State Fort Worth campus before they graduate through Tarleton Today, a program that helps high schoolers accelerate their college preparation. Tarleton State and Crowley ISD leaders reached the agreement in July.

“Tarleton Today proclaims our commitment to make transformative postsecondary opportunities accessible to allstudents,” said university President Dr. James Hurley. “Dual enrollment and dual credit programs give high school students the momentum they need to earn a higher education.”

Tarleton already works with 140 school districts statewide, serving more than 420 high schools through its nationally acclaimed Distinguished High School Partners outreach. Launched in 2020, the program guarantees admission and provides annual scholarships to qualifying seniors.

Students participating in the Tarleton Today dual credit program take university courses over a traditional school year at a Tarleton State campus, gaining the experience of college life before they complete their high school degree. Courses offered include English composition and literature and U.S. history.

“In Crowley ISD, we are dedicated to creating pathways that open doors for our students, and this partnership is a prime example of our efforts to provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed,” said Crowley ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael D. McFarland. “We believe that access to higher education should be within reach for all students, and this dual credit program will help make that a reality for many of our scholars.”

“We are confident that this collaboration will provide our students with high-quality academic experiences that will challenge them and inspire their future goals,” Dr. McFarland added.

Crowley ISD is the only district partnered with Tarleton State under the new dual credit model. Its students will receive instruction in classrooms on the Tarleton State Fort Worth campus with Crowley ISD teachers who are credentialed as courtesy instructors for Tarleton State and will receive both college credit and high school credit from a single course.

This differs from dual enrollment, under which students concurrently take a high school class and a college class with two separate grades. Dual enrollment classes use the same lesson materials and learning objectives as courses taught at a Tarleton State campus but take place in the high school.

Tarleton State primarily offers dual enrollment opportunities in agricultural and core education areas through partnerships with approximately 80 school districts throughout Texas. Districts choose the courses they participate in.

Students who continue their education at Tarleton State automatically qualify for additional scholarships.

For more information, contact Dr. Jolena Waddell at [email protected].

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.