Overview Approaches to facilitating completion Existing mechanisms for

Overview Approaches to facilitating completion Existing mechanisms for awarding credit ◦ AP, IB, and CLEP ◦ Credit by Exam Existing pressures Alternative approaches?

What are some existing approaches to facilitating completion?

Good ideas… Ensure pathways to completion are clear and accessible ◦ Advising, scheduling Develop “stackable” credentials ◦ Small certificate > big certificate > degree Implement curricular practices that facilitate completion ◦ Cohorts, learning communities Expand articulation with high schools and facilitate the readiness of student upon entry

Good ideas… Simplify CCC-CCC articulation Recognize AP, IB, and CLEP to the greatest extent possible and reasonable Institute evaluation of military transcripts

Bad ideas… Create certificates for the purpose of being able to award a certificate Create opportunities for students to earn multiple degrees by doing very little Award credit for non-academic experiences that have no connection to existing approved curriculum Dumb-down curriculum

Existing mechanisms for awarding credit AP, IB, and CLEP ◦ How “generous” is your college? ◦ How “generous” should you be? Credit by Exam (Cb. E) ◦ Are your Cb. E opportunities “fair”? ◦ Are your Cb. E opportunities published? ◦ Literally required by law – AB 1025 (Garcia, 2013)

Credit by Exam Education Code 66027. 5. (a) The California Community Colleges and the California State University shall provide information about credit by examination opportunities wherever course and class information is available.

Credit by Exam vs. External Credit outcomes Student has completed an external educational experience ◦ Appears on the transcript in the “transfer credit” or “notes” section (if at all) ◦ Not part of your college’s articulation agreements ◦ Is likely to fulfill different requirements at different institutions

Credit by Exam vs. External Credit outcomes example IB Mathematics (Higher Level exam) XXCCD SDSU UCSD Required score 6 or higher 4 or higher 5 or higher Degree credit 6 units 5. 3 units GE credit Area A 2 & math competency (6 units GE) Area B 4 (3 units GE) Area 2 A (3 units GE) Major credit None MATH 10 A+20 A Example from 2010 -11

Existing Pressure Section 66025. 7 of the Education Code By July 1, 2015, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, using common course descriptors and pertinent recommendations of (*from) the American Council on Education, shall determine for which courses credit should be awarded for prior military experience. *Current legislative effort to change “of” to “from” (Melendez, AB 343)

Sources of External Credit Other accredited institutions National exams Military coursework/experience

Sources of External Credit Other accredited institutions ◦ Credit via articulation ◦ Credit via evaluation

AB 2462 (Block, 2012) Education Code 66025. 7. By July 1, 2015, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, using common course descriptors and pertinent recommendations of the American Council on Education, shall determine for which courses credit should be awarded for prior military experience. Issues?

AB 2462 (Block, 2012) Education Code 66025. 7. By July 1, 2015, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, using common course descriptors and pertinent recommendations of the American Council on Education, shall determine for which courses credit should be awarded for prior military experience. Issues?

Issues? CCCCO does not award credit and is not an appropriate agency to make conclusions regarding the appropriateness of an experience for college credit C-ID descriptors exist (not an issue, more of question) Is ACE a credible source for recommendations? WHAT credit?

Awarding Credit for Military Experience Should we? Do we?

When do we award credit? If/when military experience can be deemed consistent with a course experience When credit is USEFUL – the awarding of credit for credit’s sake is not beneficial

Could a means of increasing the awarding of credit be developed? Possibly – in the event that there are military experience that are aligned with CCC courses C-ID could be used to make this connection – if it is not evident BUT, is this a statewide issue and are we awarding credit that is useful?

Sources of External Credit National exams ◦ ◦ AP IB CLEP DSST

Sources of External Credit Military coursework/experience ◦ Training / education provided by the military to military people ◦ Usually vocational / occupational in nature ◦ Examples Basic military training Air Traffic Controller school Basic Still Photography school

Sources of External Credit The ACE Guide ◦ Standard reference for recognizing learning acquired in the military ◦ Evaluates and “translates” military courses & occupations ◦ Provides credit recommendations

Sources of External Credit Military transcripts ◦ DD-295 – Evaluation of Learning Experiences During Military Service (no longer used) ◦ Army – AARTS ◦ Air Force – CCAF ◦ Navy – SMART ◦ Marine Corps – SMART ◦ Coast Guard – Coast Guard Institute

Sources of External Credit Military transcripts ◦ ◦ List military course completions List military experience List some national exam results List other learning experiences (short term / non -evaluated training)

Uses of External Credit Basic requirements that external credit might fulfill ◦ Unit Credit toward an associate or baccalaureate degree ◦ General Education requirements ◦ Major requirements

Uses of External Credit Who decides what credit to award? ◦ Unit Credit System-wide faculty for UC and CSU College- or district-wide faculty for CCC ◦ General Education requirements System-wide faculty for UC and CSU College- or district-wide faculty for CCC ◦ Major requirements Department level faculty for UC, CSU, CCC

Best Practices ◦ Look for opportunities to accept and use military credit toward GE and major requirements (CTE majors most likely) ◦ Align use of external exams to the CSU (or UC) system ◦ Make separate administrative procedures for credit by exam and for the acceptance and use of external credit

Conclusion Questions? Discussion? Thanks for your attention and participation!