DRAFT

A bill to address the Seamless Transfer of College Credits

Whereas, enhancing the transition experience for students who migrate between and among Oregon’s community colleges and universities is a public policy matter;

Whereas, high school students who take college-level courses, advanced placement courses for college credit, and participate in early-college programs comprise a significant portion of students who accumulate transferable college credits;

Whereas, students can save on the cost of tuition by maximizing the number of courses taken at multiple post-secondary institutions through transfer;

Whereas, students have the right to expect the smooth transfer of appropriate college- credit courses taken at eligible post-secondary institutions;

Whereas, frequent and skillful advising facilitates the transfer of students between institutions;

Whereas, Oregon community colleges and universities are committed to meeting the needs of all students, including transfer students, now, therefore:

Be It enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1.  (1) Oregon community colleges and universities shall continue to cooperate in operating a statewide articulation and transfer system including the means for articulating lower-division general-education credits, general-elective-credits and curriculum requirements for approved majors to facilitate the transfer of students between and among Oregon community colleges and public universities without a loss of credits and courses applicable-toward a baccalaureate degree and to ensure that the post secondary education needs of students statewide are met without unnecessary duplication of courses.

(2) In continuing to provide, and improve upon, an effective articulation and transfer framework for students in Oregon’s post-secondary sectors, Oregon community colleges and universities shall consider, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Revision of the Associate of Arts/Oregon Transfer (AA/OT) degree currently offered by community colleges;

(b) Development of specific degree pathways as deemed appropriate by state institutions of higher education and Oregon community colleges;

(c) Development of an outcomes-based framework for articulation and transfer that is derived from a common understanding of the criteria for General Education curricula;

(d) Seamless transfer of credits for all level 100 and 200 general education courses;

(e) Implementation of a statewide course applicability system that permits students and advisors to query and view on-line credit transfer options and conduct on-line degree auditing . 

(f) Development of uniform standards for awarding college credit for advanced placement test scores; and

(g) Expansion of early college programs for 11^th and 12^th graders who earn college credit and intend to pursue a certificate, associate or baccalaureate degree.

SECTION 2.  The Oregon University System and the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development shall submit a report of their progress on both articulation and meeting statewide post-secondary education needs as outlined in Section 1 of this 2005 Act to the joint legislative budget committee by January 2007.  This report shall also include a report on the progress of the Oregon Transfer Module as approved by the State Board of Higher Education and the State Board of Education.   The report shall include recommendations for statutory changes if necessary to facilitate the transfer of students between post-secondary institutions.  Will report yearly to the Joint Boards of Education through January 2009.

SECTION 3.  The 2005 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2005 Act takes effect immediately upon passage.