Wharton County Junior College and Lamar Consolidated Independent School District this month signed a dual credit partnership agreement that will create new pathways for dual credit students. Pictured signing the document are, from left, Lamar CISD Executive Director of CTE Dr. Kayse Lazar and WCJC President Dr. Amanda Allen.
ROSENBERG, TEXAS – Wharton County Junior College and Lamar Consolidated Independent School District are working together to open up new opportunities for area students. On Oct. 1, officials with both institutions signed a Dual Credit Partnership Agreement. The agreement builds on Lamar CISD’s existing dual-credit opportunities by creating new pathways for students to earn college credit and work toward certificates while completing their high school requirements.
“WCJC is excited to partner with Lamar CISD in building new pathways for our shared students,” said WCJC President Dr. Amanda Allen. “As the number one college destination for Lamar CISD graduates, we look forward to connecting with our students even earlier in their academic journey, allowing them to gain credentials of value that will enable them to be workforce-ready upon graduation from high school. This collaboration provides a transformational opportunity, ensuring our students are on a path to economic mobility while also meeting the labor market needs of Fort Bend County.”
Business Office Technology and Engineering Design Technology will be the first two pathways offered through the partnership, marking the beginning of a five-year plan. Lamar CISD will begin recruiting students for the new pathways during course selection efforts this October and November, with the first group of students beginning in fall 2027.
“This partnership gives our students a chance to start thinking about their future and actually begin
working toward it while they’re still in high school,” said Dr. Kayse Lazar, Lamar CISD Executive Director of CTE. “We want students to see that what they’re learning today can lead somewhere, whether that’s college, a credential or a career they’re excited about.”
Students in both pathways can earn up to 15 dual-credit hours while making progress toward an associate degree through WCJC. Business Office Technology students can also earn a Level 1 Office Specialist Certificate and Level 2 Administrative Assistant Certificate, while students in the Engineering Design Technology pathway can earn a Level 1 Certificate.
Business Office Technology will be offered at Terry High School, while Engineering Design Technology will be offered at Gene Tomas High School, with the two campuses serving as academies for the programs. Students from all seven Lamar CISD high schools will have the opportunity to participate.
“We don’t want students to take a course just because it fits into their schedule,” Dr. Lazar said. “We want them to understand where it can take them. If a student discovers something they love, we want to help them see the next step and give them an opportunity to start taking it.”
Students will ideally enter the pathways beginning in ninth grade and will complete an ApplyTexas application as part of the enrollment process. There are no GPA requirements or prerequisites beyond enrollment in the respective Business Office Technology or Engineering Design Technology dual-credit pathway. The college courses cost $64 per credit hour, which Lamar CISD CTE will cover for participating students. Students and families will be responsible for the cost of required books and materials.
Students participating in the program will also have access to WCJC advising and student support services as they work through their courses and plan what comes next.
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