AACRAO Tech and transfer Conference Transfer Guidelines : The Joint Statement on Transfer and A Transfer Student Bill of Rights AACRAO Tech and transfer Conference

Poll question: Who has seen the current version of the Joint Statement on Transfer and Awarding of Credit?

Background Information Started as a re-authoring of the 2001 Joint Statement Document. National Working Group AACRAO 60-Second Survey, Focus groups at AACRAO Annual Meeting and Tech/Transfer (2016 and 2017) Began the process in July, 2016; draft to be released in Fall 2017. But it’s become something more…. Background Information

A Guide to Best Practices: Awarding Transfer and Prior Learning Credit: Individual suggestions, recommendations, best practices and guidelines for accepting, awarding and transcripting transfer credit and prior learning credit. It’s now…

Core Concepts Transparent and open Expanded and forward-thinking content Inclusive No fiscal/resource requirement for implementation Multi-directional Core Concepts

Content Overview and Purpose Definitions Transfer Policy and Content Policy Content Best Practices Guided Recommendations Transfer Student Bill of Rights

Preparation: In what ways does the policy ensure that the credit transfer process effectively prepares students for the academic demands of your institution? In what ways does this external academic credit link with your curriculum and, in doing so, provide the student with the greatest opportunity for success? Does the course or curriculum under review incorporate the necessary rigor? Are the courses or curricula comparable to what is being offered at your institution? Transfer Credit Evaluations Prior Learning High School Programs / Home Schooled Programs Content

Fairness: A policy should be fair to both the student and the institution. Does your policy support the integrity of your institution’s curriculum and degrees? An ill-considered policy does your institution no favors by granting credit that does not properly prepare students for what’s to come. Worse, a weak or indiscriminate credit transfer policy might be seen by prospective students as accommodating—and therefore fair—yet students unprepared for the demands of the institution, damage not only themselves, but the institution’s reputation. Transfer Post-Matriculation/Reverse Transfer Transcripting Credit Student Appeals Content

Content Accountability: Does the transfer-credit policy support the institution’s mission and, by extension, the institution’s overseers? The degree to which any given college or university, especially public institutions, accepts courses from another institution is always a focus of attention by prospective students and, ultimately, lawmakers. Public officials, with the purse strings at hand, are rightly concerned about students’ ability to seamlessly move through a curriculum among public institutions. Again, an ill-considered policy—too stringent, lacking rationale, or self-serving—will not be looked on well by anyone interested in an accountable public postsecondary system. Accreditation Internal Transfer Credits Residency Requirements Articulation Agreements State/Federal Requirements

Content Transparency: Is the policy communicated fully and well? Transfer credit policies need to be displayed in the open light of day. Advantages for the institution are clear: Students who apply will understand how their prior work and learning will or will not transfer. Clearly stated and publicized policies will also prevent prospective students from completing the inappropriate courses in the hope of transferring to your institution. Credit Limits Credit Levels Non-Transferability of Credit Specific Discipline Transfer International Transfer Credit Credit Life and Expiration Grades Credit Conversion

Your input: What are some best practices that should be included? What other content is needed? What information do you need assistance with? What drives your decision making?

Transfer Student Bill of Rights Have the right to transparent information about how credits will be accepted and applied to their degree requirements. Institutions should accept credit to maximize transferability and time to graduation.  Enter into a culture of acceptance and understanding; institutional faculty and staff should be familiar with the different subpopulations of transfer students and their individual needs and challenges.  Equally have access to disability support services, health and mental health programs, and any other items required to assure a safe and healthy college experience. 

Thank you! Please complete the evaluation on the app. Visit the website: http://aacrao.org/resources/trending- topics/transfer My contact info: Seth Marc Kamen Director of Transfer and Prior Learning Design Montgomery College seth.kamen@montgomerycollege.edu Thank you!