PRINTER'S NO. 708
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
634
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY AUMENT, MARTIN, EICHELBERGER, FOLMER, HUGHES,
BREWSTER, SCARNATI, VULAKOVICH AND BARTOLOTTA, APRIL 17, 2017
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 17, 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
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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 precollege 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
education.
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* * *
(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,
which 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 a 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 on a process and
timeline, subject to approval by the department, to
develop uniform standards for determining academic credit
for prior learning, in consultation with faculty and
personnel.
(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 and 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 and 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 and 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.
* * *
(c) Duties of Transfer and Articulation Oversight
Committee.--The committee shall:
* * *
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(6) Within one year of the effective date of this
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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