Course Description Template Instructions

For new courses being submitted to UC for "a-g" certification.

The intent of the “Course Description Template” is to guide high school teachers and administrators in developing course descriptions that describe fully the content of courses that are submitted for “a-g” approval. By having complete course information, UC course reviewers can judge more accurately whether the course meets the requirements and can more easily provide useful feedback if the course does not meet criteria.

For 2008 -2009 there will be new subject specific templates for each of the a-g subject areas. There will be general questions about the new course for all subject areas, such as title of course, subject area, transcript abbreviations, etc and then there will be questions that are specific to the subject area. Some of the more specific questions for example would be for the English area (“b”) to describe the different reading and writing assignments and how they relate to the course outline or for laboratory science area to describe in details the lab component and how it relates to the topics covered. With the use of the new subject specific templates, attachments to any course outlines will not be accepted.

In addition to having new subject specific templates, schools will now be able to submit these templates (course outlines) individually at any time. There is no need to wait to submit course outlines as a batch, but rather outlines can be submitted when they have been completed by the teacher.

The Course Description Templates are downloadable as MS Word documents from this site. These templates can be used as a guide to prepare the information that will be entered at the update submission site. You will be able to work on these templates as a draft and then copy and paste the information onto the update site. (https://doorways.ucop.edu/update)

WHEN TO USE THESE TEMPLATES

You should use these templates whenever you are

Submitting a new course for approval
Submitting a new course that has been previously approved, such as an AP or IB, or ROP course
Resubmitting a course that was not approved by UC during the previous submission(s)
Reinstating a course that was removed from the school’s course list more than three years ago

WHEN NOT TO USE THIS TEMPLATE

Only an online revision (at https://doorways.ucop.edu/update/) is needed if you are
- Changing a course title, transcript abbreviation, course code or number
- Adding additional/alternative course titles/abbreviations for the same course
- Changing the grade level (unless doing so causes the course to no longer meet UC guidelines)
- Adding prerequisites or co-requisites
- Reducing from honors to non-honors status
- Removing a course from the course list
Neither a new course description nor online revision is needed if you are changing
- Instructional/teaching strategies
- Assessment methods or tools

INSTRUCTIONS.

A. COVER PAGE.

Complete for all new or reinstated courses.

Teacher Contact Information. Enter the contact information for the teacher of the course.
Course Title. List the course title as you wish it to appear on the school’s UC-certified a-g course list. If the course is an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course, UC expects the course title to be consistent with the titles designated by The College Board and the International Baccalaureate Organization, respectively. The list of these designated titles can be found on the Doorways course list web site, at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/. Search for “AP” or “IB,” respectively. Also, if the school uses a variety of course titles for the same curriculum (i.e., US History, US History SDAIE, US History/Media Academy), UC prefers that the school list the course title only once on the "a-g" course list, but list several transcript abbreviations.
Transcript Title(s) / Abbreviation(s). Enter the abbreviation(s) of the course title that will appear on the official student transcript. You may list several transcript abbreviations for each course. For example, if there are multiple sections/versions of the same curriculum/course (i.e., US History, US History SDAIE, US History/Media Academy), list them all.
Transcript Course Code(s) / Number(s). If the school assigns a course number/code for all courses, list the number(s)/code(s) here. You may list several course codes/numbers for each course, perhaps associated to different versions of the same course/curriculum (see the example under #2 above).
Subject Area. All courses submitted for approval must meet one of the “a-g” subject area requirements. Indicate the proposed subject area requirement that will be satisfied by this course.
Seeking Honors Distinction? There will be separate subject specific templates for school designed honor courses. In order for a high school course to meet the UC criteria for UC honors level work, it must meet the following criteria, all described fully in the "Honors" section of this web site:

Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or offered at a level comparable to a AP, IB or collegiate level courses
Designed for 11th/12th grade levels
School offers a non-honors equivalent. For exceptions to this criteria, refer to the “Honors” section under the “a-g Requirements” tab of the a-g Guide web site at www.ucop.edu/doorways/guide.
Course includes a comprehensive written final exam
Course has appropriate pre-requisites
School does not exceed the maximum number of honors courses per subject area. For further explanation of this criterion, refer to the “Honors” section under the “a-g Requirements” tab of the a-g Guide web site at www.ucop.edu/doorways/guide.
Course meets the subject-specific criteria for UC honors status described fully in the “Honors” section under the “a-g Requirements” tab of the a-g Guide web site at www.ucop.edu/doorways/guide.

Grade Level(s). Check the grade level(s) for which the course was intended/designed. Check all that apply. If a course is intended primarily for 11th and 12th graders but some advanced 10th graders take the course, please indicate that the course is intended for 11th and 12th graders.
Unit Value. Although UC recognizes that schools utilize a variety of schedules, please indicate whether the course is equivalent to ½ year or full year of coursework. Please check the closest equivalency. Note that UC does not approve courses that do not meet at least ½ year equivalency. If a course is of non-traditional length, use the “other” category to indicate that it meets other equivalency.
Complete outlines are not needed for courses that were previously approved by UC. If course was previously approved, indicate in which category it falls. UC requires a complete course description (i.e., objectives, course outline, key assignments, text information, etc.) for most courses. However, if the course has been previously approved by UC, then the University only requires the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template, and no additional documentation. Courses may have been previously approved in the following cases:
1. Courses reinstated after removal within 3 years. Some schools are unable to offer every course every year. If the course was removed from the school’s UC approved course list in the past three years, it can be reinstated easily by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. However, if the course was removed from the course list more than three years ago, a complete course description/outline is required. In completing this field, indicate the year the course was removed from the list and the previous course title, if different than that of the current submission.
2. Identical courses already approved at another school in same district. If the identical course (i.e., same course content, text, student expectations) has already been approved at another school in your district, then the course can easily be added by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. When a school checks this box, UC assumes that the district has developed and approved the standardized curriculum and monitors that it is being taught consistently from school site to school site. Charter schools are expected to submit all course descriptions even if similar courses have been approved at other schools in the district, as the district does not have the same level of oversight and curricular control over charter schools as it does over other schools in the district.
3. Approved International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. UC accepts for honors credit most International Baccalaureate courses, assuming that they follow the standardized curriculum established by The College Board or the International Baccalaureate Organization, respectively. These courses can easily be added by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. Course titles used should be consistent with those that appear on the IB program course lists, found at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ by searching on “IB,” respectively. Exception: In order for schools with IB programs to receive honors credit for Theory of Knowledge, a complete course description must be submitted and approved by faculty/staff.
4. Approved CDE Agricultural Education courses. Several CDE Agricultural Education courses have been pre-approved by UC. If your school participates in the CDE Agricultural Education program and the Ag teachers follow the standardized CDE AgEd curriculum, courses can easily be added to your school’s a-g course list by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. For a list of pre-approved CDE AgEd courses, visit https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ and search on “CDE.”
5. Approved P.A.S.S./Cyber High courses. The Portable Assisted Study Sequence (P.A.S.S.) program is a migrant education program coordinated by the Fresno County Office of Education. Cyber High is the online version of these P.A.S.S. courses. Certain P.A.S.S./Cyber High courses have been pre-approved and thus can easily be added to your school’s course list by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. For a list of pre-approved courses, visit https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ and search on “PASS” or “Cyber.”
6. UCCP/UCI Extension. UCCP is no longer offering and teaching online courses; therefore UCCP is no longer considered to be a UC approved online provider. UC Irvine Extension has agreed to adopt UCCP’s curriculum and teachers and therefore is now a UC approved online provider. For fall 2008, UCI Extension plans to offer ten courses.
7. Approved ROP/C courses. UC has approved many courses offered by Regional Occupation Centers/Programs. To determine if a ROP/C course has been pre-approved, visit https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ and search on the name of the specific ROP/C that serves your school. UC will approve a course for any/all schools whose students attend the ROP/C, but each school must individually request that the course be added to their own course list by submitting the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template.
8. Approved A.V.I.D. courses. If your school participates in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program and the AVID teacher follows the standardized AVID Junior/Senior Seminar curriculum, that course can easily be added to your school’s a-g course list by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template.
9. Approved C.A.R.T. courses. Several courses offered at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (Clovis) have been pre-approved by UC. If your school is in either Fresno or Clovis Unified School Districts and some of your students attend CART, those courses can easily be added to your school’s a-g course list by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. For a list of pre-approved CART courses, visit https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ and search on “CART.”
10. Approved Project Lead the Way courses. Project Lead the Way is an engineering education program utilized in dozens of schools in California. Two PLTW courses have been pre-approved and thus can easily be added to your school’s course list by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. For a list of pre-approved courses, visit https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ and search on “Project.”
11. CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP). A standardized course description has been approved by UC faculty and satisfies the “b” English requirement. In June 2006, UC faculty granted “program status” for EAP, which allows any school that offers the EAP “Expository Reading and Writing” curriculum to quickly and easily add the course to their own a-g course list.
12. Other courses. Following the release of this year’s version of the Course Description Template and related Template Instructions, it is possible that UC faculty approve other standardized courses that would be accepted at schools statewide. To add these courses, submit only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. For a list of approved courses in these programs, go to https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ and search on the name of the program.
13. Approved Advanced Placement Course. UC accepts for honors credit Advanced Placement courses, assuming that they follow the standardized curriculum established by The College Board. These courses can easily be added by submitting only the information on the Cover Page of the Course Description Template. Course titles used should be consistent with those that appear on the AP program course lists, found at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ by searching on “AP”. The University is interested in knowing if this course has been submitted to College Board for the AP audit and if so, was it authorized.
Is this course a resubmission? In this field, please indicate if the school has previously submitted this course for UC approval. Knowing this information helps UC reviewers to be consistent in their judgments because they can review the previous submission and UC’s feedback to the school to determine if the newer submission adequately addresses the concerns/reasons for non-approval. Please indicate the date of the previous submission, as well as the course title, if different from the current submission.
Is this an Internet-based course? As the UC faculty has developed an online course policy. Currently, UC accepts for a-g credit designated online courses offered through the Cyber High and UCCP/UCI Extension programs. For a list of pre-approved courses offered by these programs, go to the Doorways course list web site, at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/, and search on “Cyber” or “UCCP/UCI,” respectively. If the course you are submitting is Internet-based, please check the box for PASS/Cyber High, or enter into the text box, if the provider is UCCP/UCI, or another provider.
Is this course modeled after an UC-approved course from another school outside of your district? It is acceptable to model a course after a similar course at another school outside of your district. If this is the case, please indicate the school and the course title after which the course is modeled. It is not acceptable, however, to copy verbatim and submit the other school’s course. The course description should be modified to reflect the curriculum as it is/would be taught in your district. Knowing whether the course is modeled after another UC-approved course helps UC reviewers to be more consistent in their judgments. However, it does not guarantee course approval, as sometimes faculty policies have been modified or clarified since the earlier approval.
Is this course classified as a Career Technical Education and/or ROP course. UC is interested in knowing if the course is CTE or ROP or a combination of the both. If the course is a CTE course then the career pathway and sector is also a required field. UC will use this data to compile a report at the end of each update cycle to know how many CTE courses are approved and at which schools the courses are offered.
Brief Course Description. Briefly (in a short paragraph) describe the course, focusing on content, rather than instructional strategies, assessments, or rationale.
Prerequisites. Some courses, particularly mathematics and laboratory science, require appropriate prerequisites. For further explanation, refer to the a-g Guide web site at www.ucop.edu/doorways/guide. List any/all pre-requisites in this field. Note that lab science courses require a prerequisite of Algebra I. Be sure to list it in this field.
Co-requisites. List any/all co-requisites.
Optional Background Information. The following sections are OPTIONAL. They may or may not be appropriate for any given course.

Context for Course. (This is an optional section.) In order to understand the context for a new course, sometimes it is helpful for UC to understand the broader educational program and/or reform efforts of the school. As such, you may want to provide additional information. How does this course fit into broader departmental and/or pathway structure? How does it fit into the overall school restructuring plans? Is the course intended to be a core course or supplemental? What are the student/school/community needs met by this course?

History of Course Development. (This is an optional section.) Likewise, it is sometimes helpful for UC to know the origins of a course and who was involved in its development. Who was involved in the course development? Did you consult with UC Admissions personnel or UC professors? If so, what was the nature of such consultation and what was the result? Was this course modeled after another course at another school? If so, is that course UC approved? How does the course being submitted differ from the course after which it was modeled? Has this course received any special recognitions, designations or awards? Has it been articulated to local community colleges or universities?

Texts & Supplemental Instructional Materials. First, list district-adopted core textbooks and core literature. Enter also the edition, publication date, author and the usage for the book. Additional books may also be listed by clicking on the “Additional textbooks” button. Following all major textbooks then list the use of supplemental readings, articles, reports, etc., indicating if materials will be used in part or in their entirety. Feel free to also list additional reference/resource materials, including books, periodicals, web sites, etc

B. Subject Specific Templates

Complete this section for all new courses, except those that have been previously approved by UC, and noted in the Cover Page. Each template will ask specific questions that pertain to the specific subject area for the course.

Example:
History and English templates will ask for detailed information regarding reading and writing assignments.
Laboratory Science template will ask for detailed information regarding lab work, not just a list of labs.
Visual and Performing Arts template will ask for specific information on how each strand of the five state standards is covered

Course Purpose. What is the purpose for the course? A brief description of the goals and outcomes is expected, but not just a restating of the state standards.
Example: Demonstrate ability to solve problems and think critically by completing challenging group and individual projects and assignments effectively.
Example: Acquire artistic knowledge, perception, and technical skills to express and communicate ideas graphically.
Example: Students will prepare written research reports showing the ability to apply the scientific method to solutions of problems.
Example: Students will use the color wheel and demonstrate an understanding of color composition.
Course Outline. This is the most important part of the course description. Include a traditional course outline listing all topics and sub-topics, indicating both breadth and depth of coverage. Be sure to provide substantial detail. Information should be specific to the subject area.
Reading and Writing Assignments. Templates for English (“b”), History/Social Science (“a”), and electives (“g”) in those subject areas will require specific details of the reading and writing assignments. Make sure to connect the assignments to the course outline.
Laboratory Science Courses. Courses that are submitted for the “d” and “g” (laboratory science elective) will require specific details about the lab work required in the classroom. A list of the labs will not be sufficient, but rather a description of the lab activity, the observations, the write-up and conclusions.
Visual and Performing Arts Courses. Courses submitted for the “f” area will have specific questions regarding how all of the five strands of the state standards are covered in the course. Also, details of how the standards are met are required, not just listing general information, such as satisfying the history and cultural standard by having students learn about an historical period, but rather what period of time, what artists will be covered, what art work will be discussed etc.
Key Assignments. List the key assignments that students will complete in the course. These assignments can be written, oral, group, projects, etc. any assignment that will be asked of the student to complete as part of the course.
Instructional Methods and/or Strategies. List instructional methods used, including lecture, group work, readings, lab work, project-based learning, service-learning, library research, internet research, interviewing, videos, audiotapes, CD Rom, etc. First, list primary instructional methods/strategies, followed by other strategies.
Assessment Methods and/or Tools. List the assessment methods used, including exams, quizzes, papers, labs, homework assignments, projects, participation, attendance, etc. Include information on final exams/projects. Indicate the approximate percentage for which each type of assessment will count.

C. HONORS COURSES ONLY.

Complete ONLY if requesting UC honors status, but NOT an AP or IB course.

Indicate how this honors course is different from the standard course. (Required for “honors” designation only.) UC policy requires that an honors course is comparable in terms of workload and emphasis to AP, IB Higher Level, or introductory college courses in the subject. UC policy also requires that a course shall be designated an honors level only when there is a regular course offered in the same subject area at the same grade level. For exceptions, please refer to the “Honors” section under the “a-g Requirements” tab of the a-g Guide web site at www.ucop.edu/doorways/guide. In this section indicate specifically how the course being proposed for “honors” designation is equal in rigor to AP, IB or college level courses and how it differs from the regular (non-honors) course offered in the same subject area in terms of breadth, depth, scope of the subject(s) covered, student expectations, etc. If a college textbook is used, please indicate so.