What You Need to Know about UC A-G Course Submission Process

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1 What You Need to Know about UC A-G Course Submission Process
Nina Costales High School Articulation University of California | Office of the President 4th Annual Career Technical Education Conference Santa Clara County Office of Education, September 27, 2012

2 Overview Part 1: The A-G Subject Requirements The “a-g” course pattern
New English and math course criteria Part 2: Updating Your A-G Course List Course submission timeline Changes for the and update cycles Annual course list update check-list Part 3: Career Technical Education (CTE) UC and CTE: How far we have come CTE courses by subject area Part 4: Online Learning New online course policy Online courses and the year Part 5: Ongoing Initiatives and Projects in High School Articulation

3 Doorways Websites Online Update website
Manage and update course list and school’s information. “a-g” Course List website View any school’s or program’s course list. “a-g” Guide website Informational website for everything “a-g,” updating your course list, Career Technical Education (CTE), and online learning.

4 PART 1: The A-G Subject Requirements
4th Annual Career Technical Education Conference Santa Clara County Office of Education, September 27, 2012

5 Purpose of Articulation
Prepare students to participate fully in their first-year program at the University. Provide students with a general knowledge foundation for new and advanced study. Help students develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

6 The A-G Course Pattern Subject requirement Required # of years
Criteria History/social science (“a”) 2 years 1 year of world history AND 1 year of U.S. history, or ½ year of U.S. history and ½ year of government. English (“b”) 4 years Includes regular writing, reading of classic and modern literature, and practice with listening and speaking. Mathematics (“c”) 3 years Including the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and 2- and 3-dimensional geometry. Laboratory science (“d”) Courses in at least 2 of the 3 disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics. Language other than English (“e”) The same language other than English. Visual and performing arts (“f”) 1 year Chosen from dance, drama/theater, music, or the visual arts. College-preparatory elective (“g”) An “a-f” course beyond those used to satisfy the requirement OR course approved as “g” elective.

7 New English (“b”) Course Criteria
BOARS approved new English course criteria in Fall 2011. Changes in course criteria include: Incorporation of the California-adopted Common Core Standards. Address all Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Addition of listening and speaking components. Practice speaking in large and small groups. Develops critical listening skills. Effective for new English courses submitted for the year.

8 New Math (“c”) Course Criteria
BOARS approved new math course criteria in Fall 2011. Changes in course criteria include: Incorporation of the California-adopted Common Core Standards. Address 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice. Incorporate into key assignments, instructional methods, and assessments. Focus on learning to absorb major ideas and principles. Not treating math content as a check-list. Geometry requirement. Students applying during fall 2014 must complete a Geometry course or an appropriate integrated sequence with a grade of C or better. Higher-level courses will no longer validate the omission of Geometry. Effective for new math courses submitted for the year.

9 PART 2: Updating Your A-G Course List
4th Annual Career Technical Education Conference Santa Clara County Office of Education, September 27, 2012

10 Update Cycle at a Glance
Update History 23,436 = Total number of courses submitted. 9,390 = Total number of new courses submitted. 8,500 = Number of courses received during the last 2 weeks of cycle. Update Cycle Preliminary Numbers Over 20,000 = Total number of courses submitted. 8,000 = Number of courses received during the last 2 weeks of cycle 6,996 received the last week of the official update cycle. Begin updating your course list early for the cycle!

11 2012-13 Course Submission Timeline
New update cycle opens on February 1, 2012 Submit new courses and other course list updates New courses are reviewed within 4-6 weeks of submission Update cycle closed on Sunday, September 16, 2012 Resubmissions are accepted through January 15, 2013

12 Changes during the 2012-13 Update Cycle
New courses submitted within the last 2 weeks of the update cycle: May not be approved in time for completing the UC and CSU applications. Will only have TWO opportunities to resubmit prior to the January 15, 2013 resubmission deadline.

13 Changes for the 2013-14 Update Cycle
All new courses limited to TWO opportunities to resubmit prior to the January resubmission deadline. Courses not approved after two resubmissions must be resubmitted as a new course. New courses submitted within the last 2 weeks of the update cycle may not be approved in time for completing the UC and CSU applications.

14 Annual Course List Update Check-list
Verify demographic information. Submit new courses for “a-g” approval. Revise existing courses. Track un-submitted, submitted, and reviewed courses. Check course list for accuracy.

15 Step #1: Verifying Demographic Information
This submission publishes the current year’s list on the “a-g” Course List website. Must be submitted prior to other list updates. Once submitted, any changes are immediately updated on the list. Can be updated and resubmitted throughout the update cycle.

16 Step #2: Submitting New Courses
Use the “New Course” section when: Adding a brand new course. Adding courses previously approved by UC. Changing the approved subject area of a course. Adding the UC honors weight to an existing course. Lengthening a course from a semester-long (0.5 units) to a yearlong course (1.0 unit). Making significant content changes to a pre-existing, approved course.

17 Previously Approved Courses
Courses defined as previously approved are: Courses granted program status, such as AP, IB, UCCI, CSU EAP, and ROP courses. Courses approved at another school within the same district. Courses removed within the last 3 years that are being reinstated. UC-approved online courses from an online course publisher or school. Courses modeled after others from a school outside the district. Subject-specific course content description is not required. Exception: courses modeled after others from outside the district.

18 Required Information for New Courses
Teacher contact Course title Transcript abbreviations and/or course codes Subject area and category Grade level(s) Unit value/length of course Brief course or catalog description Pre- and/or co-requisites Textbooks and supplemental instructional materials Course purpose* Course outline* Key assignments* Instructional strategies* Assessment methods*

19 Tools for Course Development and Submission
A-G subject area course criteria The goals, requirements, and guidelines of each requirement. Available on “a-g” Guide in “Subject Requirements” section. Course description templates Paper versions of the online new course submission form. Available on “a-g” Guide in “Updating Course List” section. Sample courses Examples of exceptional submissions. Use the search feature to locate these designated sample course descriptions. Available on “a-g” Course List website. Course evaluation rubrics Provides the criteria and explanations for each component of the new course template.

20 Step #3: Revise Existing Courses
Revisions are defined as changes in: Course title Transcript abbreviation Course code Schools associated with a course (districts only) Category Grade level Shortening the length of a course from yearlong (1.0 unit) to semester-long (0.5 units) Removing the UC honors status Deleting a course

21 Step #4: Track Course Submissions
“In Progress” section See which courses have not been submitted to UC. “In Review” section Submitted courses and those under review. “Results” section Courses that have been reviewed and include the analyst’s comments. “Find Submission” section Search for past and current course submissions.

22 Step #5: Course List Accuracy
Errors in your course list can disadvantage prospective UC and CSU applicants. Course lists are used to verify the accuracy of a student’s self-reported coursework. If a course is left off the list, students may not receive the “a-g” subject credit they deserve. Course lists are used to evaluate how a student took advantage of the academic opportunities available during a given year. All courses on a list for a given year are assumed to have been offered and taught that year.

23 PART 3: Career Technical Education (CTE)
4th Annual Career Technical Education Conference Santa Clara County Office of Education, September 27, 2012

24 Misconceptions of UC and CTE
Some of the common misconceptions are: UC does not approve CTE courses at all. UC only approves CTE courses in the college-preparatory elective (“g”) subject area. Identifying a course as CTE in a submission will decrease the chance a course will be approved.

25 UC and CTE: How Far We Have Come
In 2001, UC had approved 258 CTE courses. By the end of 2011, UC had approved 10,832 CTE courses. 9,105 CTE courses offered at public high schools. 1,727 CTE courses offered at private high schools.

26 UC and CTE Milestones 2003: ROPs granted program status and “a-g” course lists established. 2006: CIP Grants became available. 2008: CTE course criteria developed by UC Faculty. 2010: Inception of the UCCI Institutes.

27 CTE Courses by A-G Subject Area
# of UC-approved CTE Courses History/social science (“a”) 54 English (“b”) 19 Mathematics (“c”) 15 Laboratory science (“d”) 1469 Language other than English (“e”) 459 Visual and performing arts (“f”) 4612 College-preparatory elective (“g”) 3351

28 A-G Courses by CTE Industry Sector
# of UC-approved CTE Courses Agriculture and Natural Resources 1389 Arts, Media and Entertainment 3775 Building Trades and Construction 7 Education, Child Development and Family Services 169 Energy and Utilities 4 Engineering and Design 520 Fashion and Interior Design 57

29 A-G Courses by CTE Industry Sector
# of UC-approved CTE Courses Health Science and Medical Technology 866 Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation 58 Information Technology 508 Manufacturing and Product Development 83 Marketing, Sales and Services 296 Public Services 543 Transportation 7

30 CTE Courses by A-G Subject Area

31 A-G Subject Area and CTE Course Criteria
Each subject area has its own specific criteria covering: The intent, goals and objectives of the requirement. Course requirements and guidelines. All CTE courses must meet general CTE and subject- specific course criteria. Available on the “a-g” Guide in the Subject Requirements section at

32 CTE Course Criteria Provides a high-quality, challenging curricula that uses and advances concepts and skills in the “a-g” subject areas. Includes opportunities to develop knowledge of tools, processes and materials; to engage in problem-solving and decision-making; and to explain what one is doing and why.

33 CTE Course Criteria Integrates academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge. Connects closely with the academic curriculum and reads as both an academic and CTE course. Shows the integration of academic and technical concepts and skills in all aspects of the course.

34 Core Academic vs. Elective Subject Area
Advantages of approval in the “a-f” subject areas: Stronger academics. Satisfies “a-f” subject requirement OR the elective (“g”) subject requirement. Open to ninth and tenth graders. Advantages of approval in the “g” subject area: Credentialed or certified to teach only in this subject area. Before submitting in a subject area, verify that your course meets that subject area’s course criteria

35 Sample Courses Examples of exceptional submissions to assist in the development and submission process. Located at Search for sample course descriptions by subject area or CTE industry sectors. Developed UCCI courses are available on the UCCI website (

36 How to Find a Sample Course

37 How to Find a Sample Course

38 How to Find a Sample Course

39 How to Find a Sample Course

40 How to Find a Sample Course

41 Course Description Templates
Helpful guides when preparing new courses for submission to UC. Provides the type of course information required for all new submissions. Two types of templates: General course information Subject-specific course content Available on the “a-g” Guide in the New Course section at

42 Course Evaluation Rubric
Standardized rubric used during course evaluation. Provides the criteria and suggestions for each component of the new course template. Subject-specific and CTE rubrics coming soon! Available soon on the “a-g” Guide in New Course section

43 PART 4: Online Learning 4th Annual Career Technical Education Conference Santa Clara County Office of Education, September 27, 2012

44 New Online Course Policy
BOARS approved revised online policy in May 2012. Effective for online courses: Developed by an online course publisher and online school. Submitted during the course list update cycle. Completed during the academic year. Online courses are approved in 2 steps: Certification by California Learning Resource Network (CLRN). Use iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses. Use California Content and Common Core Standards. Review by UC for final “a-g” approval. Use “a-g” and subject-specific course criteria.

45 Other New Policy Highlights
Principal certification for non-UC-approved online courses. Not acceptable for online courses completed in year and beyond. Online courses approved for 3-year term. Responsibility of online course publisher and online school to resubmit courses to CLRN and UC every 3 years. Expectations of institutions offering online courses. Schools offering online courses are required to meet institutional requirements. Online course publisher vs. online school. Online course publishers develop their own curriculum and sell or license their online courses for delivery by a teacher within the high school or district. Online school is a credit- or diploma-granting institution that offers courses through Internet-based methods, with time and/or distance separating the teacher and learner.

46 Online Courses and the 2012-13 Year
Existing, UC-approved online courses approved through the end of the year. Approval for year (and beyond) based on publisher or online school receiving approval with new course review process. Continue to review new online courses from previously approved online course providers. Not reviewing any new online provider applications. Principal certification process acceptable through the end of the year. Cannot be used for online courses in the laboratory science and visual and performing arts subject areas.

47 PART 5: Initiatives and Projects in High School Articulation
4th Annual Career Technical Education Conference Santa Clara County Office of Education, September 27, 2012

48 UC Curriculum Integration (UCCI) Institutes
UCCI Institutes expand UC’s CTE vision to encourage collaborative, innovative course design. Main goals of the Institutes are to bring together educators from across the state to: Create a culture of collaboration and community devoted to expanding the opportunities for applied learning through the integration of academic and career technical education content; Develop the frameworks for model integrated courses that have UC “a-g” approval and that high schools throughout California can adopt; and Introduce teachers to the key concepts of integrated course design. 17 UCCI courses have been developed and approved in one of the “a- f” subject areas. Ex: Business Algebra, Language Takes the Stage, Green Up and Go! For more information: Nearly three years ago, the University began the UC Curriculum Integration (UCCI) Institutes. The primary goals of the UCCI Institutes are to bring together educators from across the state to: Create a culture of collaboration and community devoted to expanding the opportunities for applied learning through the integration of academic and career technical education content; Develop the frameworks for model integrated courses that have UC “a-g” approval and that high schools throughout California can adopt; and Introduce teachers to the key concepts of integrated course design. 17 UCCI courses have already been developed and approved in one of the “a-f” subject areas. Examples of the approved courses include: Business Algebra 1 and 2, Journey for Justice which integrates the Public Services industry sector with government and is approved in the history/social science (“a”) subject area, and Green Up and Go! Clean Energy-neering which is a integrates physics with Engineering and Design intertwining with a “green” theme and is approved in the laboratory science (“d”) subject area. More information on the Institutes and the developed courses can be found on the UCCI website listed on the slide.

49 Community College A-G Course Lists
Course lists available for the 112 California community colleges. Accessible on the “a-g” Course List website: Used to determine the college courses that satisfy each subject requirement. These lists are a work in progress. This work was made possible with financial support from the California Department of Education. In an effort to improve our service to students in their preparation for college, UC articulation has turned attention to the community college course offerings, especially as more and more high school students take these kinds of courses to help fulfill their “a-g” course pattern. Unlike before when the main online resource to turn to was the ASSIST website, we have now established course lists for the 112 California Community Colleges on the Doorways “a-g” Course List website. You can search for community colleges just as you would any other school on that website, and the course lists look similar to the ones we have for high schools. These new lists clearly identify the college courses that can be used to satisfy specific “a-g” subject requirements. Typically, a UC-transferrable college course that is 3-semester (or 4-quarter) units can be used to satisfy the “a-g” requirements. There are additional criteria for each subject area, but in general, these are the criteria. These community college lists were made possible with funding support administered by the California Department of Education, and are a work in progress. The course lists currently do not include those non-UC-transferrable college courses that may be used to satisfy portions of the English (“b”) and math (“c”) subject requirements, nor do they include the CTE college courses that could also satisfy the “a-g” requirements.

50 New A-G Guide Website Restructured and rewritten to be more user friendly and accessible. Tutorials to assist in the “a-g” course submission process. Online applications for new schools and programs. Course development tools for “a-g” and CTE courses. Comprehensive section on UC’s online course policy. New URL:

51 Contact Us High School Articulation Unit hsupdate@ucop.edu
UC Undergraduate Admissions