Basics of A-G Courses

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Overview  Purpose of “a-g” subject requirements & course lists  Enhancements to “a-g” course criteria & guidelines  Future commitment

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Articulation & A-G Subject Requirements  UC & CSU admission requirements: 15-course pattern of college- preparatory courses –History/social science (“a”) –English (“b”) –Mathematics (“c”) –Laboratory science (“d”) –Language other than English (“e”) –Visual and performing arts (“f”) –College-preparatory elective (“g”)

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Articulation & A-G Subject Requirements  Prepare students to participate fully in their first-year program at the University.  Provide students with a general knowledge foundation for new and advanced studies.  Help students develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE A-G Course Lists  High school courses reviewed against “a-g” criteria established by UC faculty  Approved courses on “a-g” course lists used in UC/CSU admission evaluations  New “a-g” courses and revisions submitted via A-G Course Management Portal

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE A-G Enhancements for  Clarification: “a-g” course criteria & guidelines  Collaboration: K-12 & higher education stakeholders  Consistency: aligned goals of “a-g” & Common Core

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE History/Social Science (“a”)  Fundamental disciplines: –World history, cultures, and historical geography –U.S. history; civics or American government  Goal: historical literacy  Skills: research & inquiry, analysis, communication

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE History/Social Science (“a”)  Course content: How & why societies change Building blocks of different societies How societies gain & use resources Defining features of political systems Impact of the environment on societies

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE English (“b”)  College-preparatory English composition and literature  Goals: academic competence & critical habits of mind  Skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE English (“b”)  Course content: Extensive reading of literary & informational texts Frequent writing Practice listening & speaking with different audiences

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Mathematics (“c”)  Fundamental disciplines: –Elementary algebra –Advanced algebra –Two- and three-dimensional geometry  Goals: quantitative competence & critical habits of mind  Skills: quantitative thinking & analysis

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Mathematics (“c”)  Course content: Hierarchical nature of mathematics showing growth in depth & topic complexity Mathematical concepts Applied mathematics

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Mathematics (“c”)  Math validation –Advanced mathematics courses may validate lower-level courses –Integrated courses validate earlier integrated courses –Geometry courses may be validated, not omitted

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Laboratory Science (“d”)  Fundamental disciplines: –Biology –Chemistry –Physics  Goals: scientific habits of mind; practices of science & engineering

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Laboratory Science (“d”)  Skills: related to understanding the scientific process Formulating well-posed scientific questions and hypotheses Designing experiments and/or data collection strategies Analyzing data Drawing conclusions

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Laboratory Science (“d”)  Course content: Conceptual foundations in core/interdisciplinary science subjects Empirical basis of the subject matter (i.e., laboratories) Substantial experimental and/or observational activities

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Language Other than English (“e”)  Two years of same foreign language  Goal: cultural & linguistic literacy –Preparing students for a globalized context –Expand a student’s worldview –Introduce students to a diverse mode of thought

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Language Other than English (“e”)  Skills: Language & communication Culture 21 st century skills

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Language Other than English (“e”)  Course content: Emphasis on speaking & understanding Cultural context Practice with reading & composition Instruction on grammar & vocabulary

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Visual & Performing Arts (“f”)  Fundamental disciplines: –Dance –Music –Theater –Visual Arts

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Visual & Performing Arts (“f”)  Goals: artistic habits of mind & creative practices  Skills: creative skills & others related to artistic processes Persisting Envisioning Observing Analyzing Reflecting Exploring

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Visual & Performing Arts (“f”)  Course content: Participation in all aspects of the artistic process Conceptual artistic understanding Theoretical & historical/cultural context Skills-based content

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE College-Preparatory Elective (“g”)  Goals: strengthen academic proficiencies; explore subjects possibly leading to a future college major  Skills: critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem- solving  Course content: Mastery of fundamental knowledge

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE UC Honors A-G Courses (effective )  Major changes to UC-designated “a-g” honors courses only  Changes are effective starting with the academic year  No changes to calculating the UC GPA

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE UC Honors A-G Courses (effective )  No limits on UC-designated honors courses approved for a school’s “a-g” list  School-created, college-preparatory elective (“g”) honors courses eligible for UC honors

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE UC Honors A-G Courses (effective )  UC honors courses must have a non-honors equivalent, but simultaneous offerings not required  Allow 10 th grade courses to qualify for UC honors

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE  UCOP High School Articulation | (510)  Articulation & Admissions Resources –A-G Guide: –A-G Course Management Portal (CMP): –A-G Course Lists: –UC Admissions: