Transcript Articulation: Removing Unnecessary Barriers

Florida’s 2+2 System of Articulation
Matthew Bouck
Interim Director, Office of Articulation
Higher Education Coordinating Council
January 28, 2011
Joint Board Initiative
Articulation Coordinating Committee Charge
…the ACC is uniquely positioned to make policy
recommendations that facilitate maximum
coordination and adherence to statute as well as
the state’s higher education strategic goals.
…the ACC is being asked to review current
policies, rules, and/or practices pertinent to the
ability of students to move efficiently toward their
degree goals…
2+2 Agreement
Proposal: Binding agreement between the State Board of
Education and Board of Governors rather than
Rule and Regulation

Phase I: “traditional” 2+2 transfer of AA degree, general
articulation provisions and credit-by examination.

Phase II: workforce education programs, including Associate
in Science (AS) degree requirements and transfer, capstone
degree articulation agreement, Applied Technology Diploma
(ATD) transfer to associate degrees, and career ladder
agreements—secondary, PSAV, and industry certification
transfer to associate degree programs.
Articulation
Coordinating Committee
17 members
1 each from Board of Governors Office, Division of Florida
Colleges, Division of Career and Adult Education, and
Division of Public Schools
Remainder appointed by Commissioner and SUS Chancellor:
 4 State University System
 4 Florida College System
 1 Career and Technical Education
 2 Secondary Education
 2 Nonpublic Postsecondary Institutions
Chair elected by the membership

ACC Duties
Serve as an advisory committee to the HECC, State
Board of Education, and Board of Governors regarding:
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Interinstitutional Articulation Agreements
Articulation agreement and other articulation issues
Articulation data and resulting policies
Common prerequisites
Dual enrollment-high school subject area equivalency
Electronic transcripts
Statewide articulation agreements
Articulation accountability measures
Credit-by-examination equivalencies
FACTS.org – functions and usage
Designation of a repository for articulation information
General Education

Each institution must establish a core curriculum of 36 hours
in communication, humanities, mathematics, natural
sciences, and social sciences for those working toward an
Associate in Arts or baccalaureate degree.

The integrity of that curriculum is recognized by other
postsecondary institutions. Completion is recognized even
without completion of the AA degree.

If the student transfers prior to completion of the core
curriculum, the general education program becomes the
responsibility of the receiving institution.
Gordon Rule
and
CLAS Requirements
Gordon Rule

Include 6A-10.030 Assessment Procedures for College-Level
Communication and Computation Skills and relevant
sections of Regulation 6.017 Criteria for Awarding the
Baccalaureate Degree


Six (6) semester hours of English and six (6) semester
hours of additional coursework requiring college-level
writing
Six (6) semester hours of mathematics coursework at
the level of College Algebra or higher
CLAS Requirements

Achievement of minimum standards for college-level
communication and mathematics skills adopted in Rule 6A10.0311 and Regulation 6.017
Associate in Arts (AA)
Degree

The AA is the primary basis for admission of transfer
students to the upper division

Establishes the AA as completion of 60 hours to include 36
hours of general education coursework and 24 hours of
appropriate common prerequisite and elective coursework.
The 60 hours that comprise the AA shall be accepted in total
upon transfer to the upper division.

Requires a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for all courses
attempted

Grades of “D” shall transfer and count toward AA or
baccalaureate degrees in the same way as “D” grades for
native students.
Statewide Course
Numbering System
All postsecondary courses for college credit, career credit,
preparatory credit, and career preparatory credit shall be
listed in the SCNS. Each course shall have a single identifying
course number.
Include provisions of 6A-10.0242 Procedures for Determining
the Level at Which Courses Shall Be Classified.

Provides criteria for lower vs. upper division coursework.

Provides guidance to SCNS faculty committees in the
selection of lower vs. upper division and equivalencies.
Credit by Examination

ACC will maintain a list of examinations, equivalent courses,
and minimum scores and credits guaranteed to transfer.

Guaranteed initial award of credit for AP, IB, AICE, and CLEP
examinations. All credit by examination initially awarded
based on ACC recommendations are guaranteed to transfer.

Transfer credit is guaranteed for up to 45 hours provided it is
in accordance with ACC recommendations.

No grades or grade points are assigned for credit by
examination.

Credit by examination generated before ACC recommendations
or those not listed in ACC document subject to the discretion
of the receiving institution.
Catalog Year in Effect
and
Electronic Transcripts
Catalog Year in Effect
 Institutions must publish in official catalogs policies
regarding admission, course, and prerequisite
requirements of institution, unit, program, and
specialization. The catalog in effect at time of initial
collegiate enrollment governs upper division
prerequisites in the same manner as native students
provided student maintains continuous enrollment.
Electronic Exchange of Student Transcripts and
Associated Educational Records
 Mandates the Department, Board of Governors office,
public postsecondary institutions, and school districts
maintain an electronic exchange of student transcripts.
Decision Points
Guarantee every AA degree graduate admission to upper
division in the SUS
Current Rule Language: Every associate in arts graduate of a Florida
community college shall be granted admission to an upper division
program consistent with Section 1007.23, Florida Statutes.
Admission to the student’s preferred public postsecondary institution
or program is not guaranteed.
Limited Access Programs
Current Rule Language: Community college and state university
transfer students shall have the same opportunity to enroll in
baccalaureate limited access programs as native students.
Baccalaureate limited access program selection and enrollment
criteria shall be established and published in catalogs, counseling
manuals, and other appropriate publications. A list of limited access
programs shall be filed annually with the Articulation Coordinating
Committee.