University of California

BOARS reiterates support of developing math curriculum under Common Core State Standards

The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) issued a statement [PDF] supporting high schools during the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). UC recognizes that developing mathematics curriculum consistent with the CCSSM will involve more than simply reordering topics to be covered. In addition, BOARS reiterated its support for high schools implementing either the integrated or the traditional pathway, as stated in the math ("c") subject area course criteria.

2013-14 update cycle opening March 1, 2013

Due to technical difficulties, the Online Update website will open on March 1, 2013 for the 2013-14 course list update cycle. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Course evaluation and resubmission changes for the 2013-14 update cycle 

Beginning with the 2013-14 update cycle, a new phased timeline will be implemented to improve the overall “a-g” course review process. All new course submissions, resubmissions and course list revisions must be submitted to UC via the Online Update website by Sunday, September 15, 2013 at midnight PST. The course update cycle will be divided into three distinct phases:

• Phase 1 (March 1 - June 1, 2013): New courses initially submitted during Phase 1 may have up to two opportunities for resubmission if the course is not initially approved.

• Phase 2 (June 2 - August 1, 2013): New courses initially submitted during Phase 2 may have only one opportunity for resubmission if the course is not initially approved.

• Phase 3 (August 2 - September 15, 2013): New courses initially submitted during Phase 3 will have no opportunities for resubmission if the course is not initially approved.

Course not approved after the September 15 resubmission deadline must be resubmitted as new courses using the “New Course” section during the next update cycle opening in February.

2012-13 resubmission deadline set for January 15, 2013

Our articulation analysts are working as quickly as possible to review your submitted course descriptions from the 2012-13 course list update cycle. More than 8,000 course submissions — about a quarter of the total submissions received by UC — came in during the final weeks of the update cycle back in September. Resubmissions of new courses initially submitted during the 2012-13 cycle will continue to be accepted through Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at midnight PST. Courses either not resubmitted or not approved by this deadline must then be submitted as new courses when the Online Update website opens for the 2013-14 course list update cycle on March 1, 2013.

New policy for online "a-g" coursework 

As of May 2012, UC Faculty approved a revised version of the University’s online course policy. Online courses already approved by UC and offered by online providers and online schools will remain valid for “a-g” purposes through the end of the 2013-14 academic year. Effective for the 2013-14 year, all online courses offered by an online course publisher or online school will be required to undergo the review process outlined in the new online policy. Beginning with the 2014-15 year, non-online high schools and programs offering non-commercial, teacher-created online courses will be required to comply with the new online policy and review process. The principal certification process for online courses will no longer be acceptable beginning with the 2013-14 academic year.

Clarification of the mathematics subject requirement

All students applying to UC for admission in fall 2015 must complete a Geometry course or an appropriate integrated sequence with a grade of C or better in order to satisfy the math ("c") subject requirement. Appropriate, higher-level courses will continue to validate a D or F grade earned in Geometry. Math courses completed in the seventh and eighth grades with a grade of C or higher can be used toward fulfilling this requirement. Students are not required by UC to repeat these college-preparatory math courses once they have entered high school. Students are required to list these math courses in the “Seventh/Eighth Grade Course” section on the UC application. A middle school transcript is not required. It is preferable that seventh- and eighth-grade college-preparatory math courses be listed on the high school transcript, however, this is not a requirement.

Spring 2013 UC Curriculum Integration (UCCI) Institutes

These professional development institutes bring together academic and career technical high school teachers, administrators and experts from across California for four days dedicated to developing courses that integrate academic and CTE content. Teams are formed to create the framework for a single course to be submitted for "a-g" approval and for future adaptation by any California high school or program.

The Spring 2013 UCCI Institutes will focus on the Health Science and Medical Technology CTE industry sector in conjunction with the language other than English (“e”) subject area and the Arts, Media and Entertainment CTE industry sector in conjunction with the history / social science (“a”) subject area. Detailed information and applications are available on the UCCI Institutes website.

Participants receive a $600 stipend and costs for registration, lodging and meals are covered by the University of California with financial support administered by the California Department of Education. Each teacher's school or district will be reimbursed a total of $250 to help cover substitute costs. UC encourages schools and districts to cover applicants' travel costs.

Community college “a-g” course lists now available

UC now houses “a-g” course lists for the 112 California community colleges. These course lists can be used to identify the community college courses that can be used to satisfy the “a-g” subject requirements. These course lists are works in progress, and will be continuously updated and expanded as course offerings change and as courses not yet included are reviewed. This work is made possible with financial support from the California Department of Education.

Community college course offerings change from semester to semester and year to year, so please refer to the college’s current catalog for the most accurate information.

BOARS approves new English and mathematics course criteria

BOARS, the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, approved new guidelines and criteria for courses approved in the English (“b”) subject area and the mathematics (“c”) subject area. Beginning with new courses submitted during the 2012-13 update cycle, all English and mathematics courses must incorporate the California-adopted Common Core Standards into their curriculum content. Courses already approved in the “b” and “c” subject area will be required to be resubmitted for re-approval at a later date not yet determined.