RISD Dual Credit Spring 2026

We are excited to welcome you to the Dallas College Dual Credit Program with Richardson ISD for the Spring 2026 semester. As you begin your courses this spring, it is important to remember that you are enrolled in two institutions at the same time—Dallas College and your RISD high school. This means you are earning credit toward both your high school diploma and a college degree simultaneously.

Because you are enrolled in college-level coursework, you are expected to follow Dallas College policies, procedures, and academic expectations, in addition to RISD guidelines. This newsletter includes important information about course expectations, academic policies, key dates, and student support resources available to help you navigate the spring semester successfully.

While many RISD school holidays align with Dallas College, differences in semester start dates, end dates, and select holidays create important planning considerations for dual credit students. Understanding these differences will help students stay organized and prepared throughout the spring semester.

For Spring 2026, RISD classes resume January 6th, while Dallas College dual credit courses officially begin on January 20, 2026. End dates and breaks may also differ between RISD and Dallas College calendars, so students should regularly check their Dallas College course syllabus and announcements for accurate information.

It is important for students and families to understand that college courses differ from high school courses in both structure and expectations. Dual credit classes require greater independence, responsibility, and time management. The following section provides an introduction to what students can expect in dual credit coursework.

We want to ensure that students and families are aware of the policies and procedures related to student educational records. Although dual credit students are still enrolled in high school, they are also considered college students and are therefore covered under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Under FERPA, Dallas College cannot share specific student information—including grades or course details—with anyone (including parents or guardians) without the student’s written consent.

What is FERPA?

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) is a federal privacy law that protects a student’s educational records. While parents have access to their child’s academic records in grades K–12, those rights transfer to the student once they enroll in a college or university, including as a dual credit student—regardless of age.

There may be times when a parent or guardian needs to conduct official Dallas College business on behalf of their student. In those cases, a FERPA Release for Proxy Registration/Admission is required.

To complete this form:

• The student must log in to their Dallas College Workday account

• Locate and complete the FERPA Release form

• Select a timeframe for access
  (We recommend choosing a timeframe that covers the remainder of the student’s high school enrollment, if available. If not, the system will allow for a one-year option.)

Please note that the FERPA Release for Proxy does not grant parents or guardians permission to contact Dallas College professors on behalf of the student. Students are expected to communicate directly with their instructors regarding coursework and academic concerns.

The students now elect FERPA/Third-Party Access in Workday. Below you can find general instructions.

Please login to Workday to elect your parent as a Third Party. When you log into Workday the should see the screen below:

Please click where the 1 is indicated and then View Profile. Once that is done you should be able to then complete the next steps.

• Navigate to the “Contact” section.
• Click on “Friends and Family.”
• From there, they will need to add you and grant Third-Party Access.

Before your Dallas College classes start, you have work you need to complete to be ready for your first day of classes on January 20th.

Student Contracts

To help ensure a smooth transition into a dual credit course, RISD provides students with information about the importance of dual credit courses, how college credits transfer to other colleges, when and how students can drop a dual credit course, and how the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affects who can communicate with their college instructors.

Students need to return this form signed by their legal guardian and themselves. Please adhere to deadline on contract. Due back to the teacher January 23rd, 2026.

It is important to follow the process exactly to ensure that you can get into eCampus without having to use your cellphone.

1. Go to "Class Link."

2. Look for the Dallas College Rapid ID Logo. See picture to the right.

3. Click on the logo.

4. Follow the information on the screen.

5.Once you are in your account look for the drop-down menus and click on "eCampus" to locate your courses.

***If you are prompted to use your cellphone, please see the section below.

You will receive an email to your Richardson ISD email address a week before classes start on January 20th. Follow the instructions from the email.

Please save you email, password, and pictures somewhere safe so you can always remember them.

After following this process, you will sign in using the following steps:

1. Go to "Class Link."

2. Look for the Dallas College Rapid ID Logo. See picture to the right.

3. Click on the logo.

4. Log into your Rapid ID Account.

5.Once you are in your account look for the drop-down menus and click on "eCampus" to locate your courses.

If students are still having issues with their phone prompting, remember that the Service Desk is always available to help. You can contact them directly on the phone (972-669-6555) or access level 2 support, the actual Dallas College employees working at the Service Desk, who can resolve any Rapid ID issue. You can also submit a ticket request located under the Dallas College RapidID page titled 'Need Help?'

https://webapps.dcccd.edu/forms/echsneedhelpform/

This will identify the ticket as an ECHS Rapid ID issue, enabling more effective addressing in the ticket queue. The Service Desk will then be able to disable MFA for both Dallas College and Rapid ID on a case-by-case basis. This involves verifying that the student's email/phone number has been submitted successfully and synced properly with Rapid ID. If necessary, they can add it manually.

The service Desk is committed to resolving any issues that students and staff may face. They have all the necessary resources and access to the Rapid ID system and MFA bypass. They will most likely need to get the student on the phone to confirm their identity before they can do any MFA resets. Alternatively, they should be able to reply to the ticket confirming the student's email address on file and last four digits of social security number if the student doesn't have access to a phone and just to an internet connection.

What is eCampus? Think of eCampus as a virtual classroom — a web-based learning system and electronic community center for students and faculty. Students DO NOT have access to their virtual classes until the first day of classes on January 20th. Here are some examples of what you will find inside of eCampus:

• Course syllabus
• Announcements from your professor
• Online course content

• Digital textbook

*If you can’t see, your digital class on the first day of classes immediately call the technology support at 972-669-6402. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE SECOND DATE OF CLASS!

A syllabus is your guide to a course and what will be expected of you in the course. Generally, it will include course policies, rules and regulations, required texts, and a schedule of assignments. A syllabus can tell you nearly everything you need to know about how a course will be run and what will be expected of you.

• Each Dallas College fall course lasts for 16 weeks. You should expect to log into each of your courses every day and ensure you follow the course syllabus and due dates provided by your professor. Be prepared to have 6-9 hours of homework per class weekly.

• Since most professors WILL NOT ACCEPT late work, you mustn't be caught off guard by due dates. Establishing a calendar with test and homework due dates to help keep you on top of your assignments.

Announcements allow instructors to communicate with students about course activities and post interesting course-related topics. Announcements are designed to allow instructors to broadcast information out to all members of a course or to all members of sections within a course.

Professors and success coaches will only email your Dallas College email.

Textbooks are being provided electronically through your eCampus account in your online course. You will have access to open up your eCamps account on January 20th. It will be important that you communicate with your professor as soon as possible to obtain access to your book.

In your introductory email, include your first and last name and Dallas College ID. Introduce yourself and tell your instructor one thing they should know about you for you to be successful in this course? Anything you share will be held in strict confidence.

These are two sample emails students have sent to their instructors:

Dear Professor,

I am the eldest in a family of four, and I help my mom out a lot with my little brothers. I also work at Home Depot to help out, and I sometimes struggle to get to class because I have to work extra shifts. I'm improving my GPA and balancing my studies with my life. This is my first time taking a fully online class, so I'm worried about making everything work together.

Hi Professor,

I don't have my laptop, and I have to share the computer and internet with my family. I have my phone and can use that.

• In each of these cases, the instructor's response was something like, "You'll be fine, let me know if you need help, we'll try and figure something out!"

Reach out to your professor.

It is very important that you are communicating/emailing with your professor about any concerns you might experience. They can explain any information you don’t understand. They may have extra credit you can do, or they may have office hours available for you to visit them and go over the material.

Sign up for tutoring.

There is tutoring available for all major subjects. There is online tutoring and face to face tutoring may be available at the Dallas College campus. Please check this link and email the Tutoring Department for information https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/tutoring/pages/default.aspx.

Contact a Dallas College Success Coach assigned to your campus.

Success Coaching – Dallas College

At Dallas College, you have someone in your corner — your success coach.

Need help navigating the world of college? Your success coach will inspire and motivate you to succeed in your academic journey.
From your first day to graduation or transfer, a success coach will be there for you every step of the way.

​​​​Success coaches (advisors) will be available for walk-in and virtual drop-in meetings.

• Schedule an appointment with your Success Coach in Navigate
  
• Visit a Success Coaching Center
• Use virtual success coaching (advising) services
  
• ​​Call 972-669-6400 or email SuccessCoach@DallasCollege.edu

Dallas College Success Coaches

Dan Rodriguez - L.V. Berkner High School: Success Coach - dlrodriguez@dallascollege.edu

Dan Rodriguez - Lake Highlands High School: Success Coach - dlrodriguez@dallascollege.edu

Ashley Neace - J.J. Pearce High School: Success Coach - ANeace@DallasCollege.edu

Ashley Neace - Richardson High School: Success Coach - ANeace@DallasCollege.edu

You MUST communicate with your campus dual credit counselor about dropping classes by January 29th or April 14th (receive a W on your transcript). If you do not drop a class by the deadline, you could end up with a failing grade on your high school transcript AND your college transcript.

This means even if you turn in no assignments, have no grades, and do not have your drop paperwork completed by the drop deadline, you will receive a zero on your college and high school transcripts. This grade is permanent and will not be removed from high school or college transcripts.

First Drop Deadline:

Friday, January 29, 2026– By noon on 1/29, students must turn in their drop forms to their campus dual credit counselor so the course will be removed and not appear on your college transcript. Drop forms will be available with your dual credit counselor beginning 1/22/2026.

Last Drop Deadline:

Tuesday, April 14, 2026– By noon on 04/14, students must turn in their drop forms to their campus dual credit counselor so the course will be removed as a "W" will be placed on their transcript. If students do not drop, they risk failing the course for a high school grade and a college grade. Drop forms are available from their dual credit counselor.

Campus dual credit counselors:

Berkner High School - Megan Daniel, Megan.Daniel@risd.org

Lake Highlands High School -Shelly Miller, Shelly.Miller@risd.org

Pearce High School - Beth Del Valle, Beth.DelValle@risd.org

Richardson High School - Kristine Thomas-Wright, Kristine.Thomas-Wright@risd.org

Based on students enrolled on RISD/dual credit rosters, RISD will provide Dallas College with the paperwork for our students served through either a 504 or IEP. The Dallas College Office of Accessibility Services, then reaches out to our students via their, Dallas College email and their families to set a time for them to work together to make sure that the student's accommodations are being met in the dual credit classroom.

If you should be receiving accommodations and were never contacted by Dallas College, please contact teacher.

Tutorials For Online Tools

You Tube Videos from @BrightspaceTutorials

Dallas College Success Coaches

Request form for a Success Coach-led orientation

Success Coaching (Advising) by phone: 972-669-6400, email: SuccessCoach@DallasCollege.edu or schedule an appointment.

Dual Credit Orientation

Dual Credit Orientation – Dallas College

eConnect

Your Student Account: eConnect and Navigate – Ready for Day One – Dallas College

Online Tutorials Link

Tutorials for Online Tools – Tutorials – Dallas College