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a-g Guide |
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Online Courses & PolicyPolicyPLEASE NOTE: The University of California is currently reviewing our policy regarding the approval of online providers and courses to satisfy UC “a-g” requirements. Effective January 1, 2012, both the online provider application and the online partnership application have been placed on temporary hold until policy revisions are finalized. Based on the UC’s desire to ensure that students have access to a broad range of high-quality and comprehensive online courses meeting the faculty’s standards of rigor, the updated policy aims to offer improved guidance and a more efficient process to online schools and publishers interested in offering “a-g” courses. Online Course Approvals Q: When will the changes to the UC online policy be implemented? A: UC faculty have initiated a review of the existing policy. With the advancement in technology and improvements in the administration of online curricula, UC recognizes the need at this time to analyze its criteria and process for determining quality online courses. The review is expected to be complete before the beginning of the 2012-13 academic year. Information on the updated online policy will be posted when it becomes available. Questions can be sent to HSUPDATE. Q: How should schools deal with the online course approval process while the UC online policy is under review? A: UC will not be reviewing any new online provider applications for program status. But the University will continue to review and approve new courses from currently approved online providers (see list of providers with program status below). In the interim, schools may continue to add UC-approved online courses to their “a-g” course lists, as well as use the principal certification process for online courses.* In order for coursework completed by non-UC-approved online courses to be recognized by UC in the application and admissions process, the principal of the student’s home high school must certify that the course is comparable to other college preparatory courses offered at the high school. UC expects that such certification follows a careful review of the curriculum and/or testing of ability level by the principal, department chair, district curriculum director, or other qualified school/district personnel. The principal designates his/her certification by granting permission for the course to be listed on the student’s transcript, along with credits granted and grades earned. *Important Note: UC will not accept any online courses in the areas of “f” Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) or “d” Laboratory Science, unless science courses require an on-site wet lab component. Q: To date, what online providers have been reviewed and “approved” by the University? A: Under the existing online policy that is undergoing review, the University has granted program status to the following online providers, which allows them to submit online courses to UC for “a-g” approval:
Q: Will UC accept online courses that have not been pre-approved by UC to satisfy the “a-g” requirements? A: Yes, principals may continue to certify online courses that have not been previously approved by UC and that do not show up on an online provider’s “a-g” course list. The principal certification process as described above will be in effect until the University has finalized its updated online policy. Online Course Utilization Q: What ways can online courses be used to satisfy UC “a-g” requirements? A: There are three ways UC will accept online courses taken by students for purposes of UC admissions:
Q: How should a school document on their “a-g” course list a course that is taught both online and in the classroom? A: In some schools, a teacher offers the same course in two modalities – in the classroom and online. In such a case, the course is taught partially or fully online using identical curriculum developed at the school and taught in the classroom. On the school’s "a-g" course list, the online course should be listed either as a distinct course or with a different transcript abbreviation under the classroom-based course. Q: Does UC have any recommendations for high school leaders considering use of online courses for their students? A: UC faculty are most concerned that schools allowing students to use online curriculum provide an on-site mentor/supervisor to support those students. Further, they recommend that the school or district fully consider the infrastructure and support services necessary to assure success for students taking online courses. UC faculty and staff recommend that high school leaders refer to the California Department of Education (AB 294) guidelines (doc) and implement these practices and policies, as appropriate. Science and VPA Courses Q: Can online courses be approved in all of the "a-g" subject areas? A: No. Online Laboratory Science courses will not be approved unless they include a supervised wet lab component. Since UC has not seen computer software that adequately replicates the laboratory experience, computer-simulated labs and lab kits will not be acceptable. UC faculty consider the experimentation process a critical component of any laboratory science course because it brings the scientific process to life. Online Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) courses will not be approved because it is difficult for students taking online courses to experience the required performance component of performance arts courses and/or replicate the expected portfolio component of visual arts courses. UC faculty believe that performance is a necessary component of any performance arts course. Whether it is a course in band, choir, drama, dance, or painting/drawing, the immediate feedback and coaching of an instructor (e.g., adjusting the toe point of a dancer, correcting the musical intonation of a student musician, advising greater voice projection for a student actor, or demonstrating correct technique for a student artist) is a critical and necessary component of any course. |