Regular Session 2017-2018 House Bill 1022 P.N. 1175

PRINTER'S NO. 1175

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

1022

Session of

2017

INTRODUCED BY ROEBUCK, PHILLIPS-HILL, SCHLOSSBERG, SOLOMON,

HILL-EVANS, GROVE, TALLMAN, DONATUCCI, DAVIS, MILLARD,

SCHWEYER, TOOHIL, V. BROWN, LONGIETTI, MURT, EMRICK, KINSEY,

McNEILL, FREEMAN, WARREN, WATSON AND ORTITAY, MARCH 28, 2017

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 28, 2017

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

act relating to the public school system, including certain

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," in transfers of credits between

institutions of higher education, further providing for

definitions, for duties of public institutions of higher

education and for transfer and articulation oversight

committee.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 2001-C of the act of March 10, 1949

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is

amended by adding definitions to read:

Section 2001-C. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this article

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Advanced Placement program (AP)." A program authorized by

the college board that allows a student to study college-level

subjects while enrolled in high school and to receive advanced

placement and college credit for earning a qualified score on

the course-related Advanced Placement exam.

* * *

"College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)." A set of

standardized tests developed by the college board for various

subjects, and on which a qualifying score can be used to earn

college credit.

* * *

"Credit for prior learning." College-level credit granted

toward the award of a postsecondary degree or certificate for

experiential learning that can be demonstrated through various

means of assessment to be the equivalent of learning gained

through formal collegiate instruction, including an Advanced

Placement exam, International Baccalaureate exam, a College-

Level Examination Program exam and Dantes Subject Standardized

Tests.

"Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)." A set of subject

exams approved by the American Council on Education that tests

knowledge of both lower-level and upper-level college material.

* * *

"International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB)." An

academically challenging two-year pre-college diploma program

comprised of three core requirements and six academic subject

areas with final examinations that prepare students 16 to 19

years of age for higher education and life in a global society.

* * *

Section 2. Section 2002-C of the act is amended by adding a

subsection to read:

Section 2002-C. Duties of public institutions of higher

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education.

* * *

(d) Credit for prior learning.--Each public institution of

higher education shall do all of the following:

(1) Adopt and make public uniform standards for

determining academic credit for prior learning as outlined in

paragraph (4) within 18 months of the effective date of this

subsection.

(2) Agree to award academic credit for prior learning

that is determined to meet the standards established under

section 2004-C(c)(6) and apply the credit toward graduation

unless prohibited by external accreditation or licensure.

(3) Submit to the department interim reports outlining

the actions that the public institution of higher education

has undertaken or intends to undertake to comply with

paragraphs (1) and (2).

(4) As a member of the Transfer and Articulation

Oversight Committee established in section 2004-C:

(i) Consult with the department, faculty and

personnel on a process and timeline, subject to approval

by the department, to develop uniform standards for

determining academic credit for prior learning.

(ii) Develop and implement uniform standards for

determining academic credit for prior learning, in

consultation with faculty and personnel.

(iii) Participate in submitting a status report to

the department, the Education Committee of the Senate and

the Education Committee of the House of Representatives.

(5) For each academic year, report to the department all

of the following:

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(i) The total number of students awarded credits for

Advanced Placement Program, International Baccalaureate

Diploma Program , College-Level Examination Program exams

and Dantes Subject Standardized Tests, if available.

(ii) The total number of credits awarded to students

for Advanced Placement Program, International

Baccalaureate Diploma Program , College-Level Examination

Program exams and Dantes Subject Standardized Tests, if

available.

(iii) The number of credits awarded to matriculating

students who present Advanced Placement Program,

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program , College-

Level Examination Program exams and Dantes Subject

Standardized Tests that meet the standards established

under section 2004-C(c)(6) and, of those credits, the

number of credits applied toward major requirements and

the number of credits applied toward elective

requirements.

(iv) Any other information related to awarding of

credit for prior learning as requested by the department

or the Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee,

including the usability of transfer credits.

Section 3. Section 2004-C(c) of the act is amended by adding

a paragraph to read:

Section 2004-C. Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee.

* * *

Committee.--The committee shall:

* * *

(6) Within one year of the effective date of this

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paragraph, develop and implement uniform standards for

awarding academic credit for prior learning in consultation

with faculty and personnel for public institutions of higher

education and institutions that elect to participate under

section 2006-C.

Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

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