AN ACT

 

1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An 
2act relating to the public school system, including certain 
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial 
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the 
5laws relating thereto," in transfers of credits between
6institutions of higher education, providing for advanced
7placement exam scores articulation for college credit.

8The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9hereby enacts as follows:

10Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
11as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
12section to read:

13Section 2008-C. Advanced placement exam scores articulation for
14college credit.

15(a) Award.--A postsecondary student who has obtained an
16advanced placement exam score of at least three shall be awarded
17comparable or aligned college course credits toward satisfying
18degree requirements for graduation at a public institution of
19higher education. An independent and State-related institution

1may accept advanced placement exam scores as described under
2this subsection.

3(b) Credits.--

4(1) If an equivalent or aligned course under subsection
5(a) is not available at a public institution of higher
6education, an elective or area credit must be awarded in the
7appropriate academic discipline and must be applied toward
8graduation if the elective credit option exists within the
9academic major.

10(2) A public institution of higher education may not
11require students who are awarded college course credits under
12paragraph (1) to obtain additional college course credits
13toward satisfying degree requirements for graduation.

14(c) Consistency.--There shall be consistency across
15institutions of higher education for those public institutions
16of higher education required to participate and those
17independent institutions of higher education that elect to
18participate in the articulation program.

19(d) Report.--A public institution of higher education shall
20report to the department all of the following:

21(1) Number of students admitted who took advanced
22placement courses in high school.

23(2) Total number of credits awarded based on advanced
24placement exam scores.

25(3) Number of credits awarded per matriculating advanced
26placement students based on advanced placement courses taken.

27(4) Number of credits awarded to matriculating advanced
28placement students toward major.

29(5) Number of credits awarded to matriculating advanced
30placement students toward electives.

1(e) Information and assistance.--Information provided under
2subsection (d) shall be reported by the department to the
3chairman of the Education Committee of the Senate and to the
4chairman of the Education Committee of the House of
5Representatives.

6(f) Definitions.--As used in this section, the term
7"advanced placement course" means a high school-level
8preparatory course for a college advanced placement test that:

9(1) incorporates all topics specified by the college
10board on its standard syllabus for a given subject area; and

11(2) is authorized by the college board.

12Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.