For Immediate Release
January 31, 2007
Contact: David Broderic
717-787-2637
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Rhoades Opens Hearings on College Articulation System;
New Law Improves College Course Transfers

AUDIO

HARRISBURG – At a hearing held today by the Senate Education Committee, committee chairman James J. Rhoades (R-29) took testimony on the Higher Education Articulation Act, a product of bi-partisan cooperation that will allow students at publicly-supported community colleges and/or state system of higher education colleges and universities to transfer credits more easily from one school to another.

"The Higher Education Articulation Act is a groundbreaking enterprise, one that will allow students to transfer courses seamlessly from one institution to another, making higher education cheaper, faster and more efficient," said Rhoades. "I believe that this is a tremendously important issue for students who attend colleges and universities in Pennsylvania."

According to Rhoades, under the new law, Pennsylvania's community colleges and universities in the State System of Higher Education (SSHE) will accept a menu of at least 30 core academic credits that meet equivalency standards agreed upon by representatives of the intuitions themselves.          

 At their option, private or state-related schools can participate as well.

Equivalency standards for the core credits are established by a Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee, which includes members from each college and university that participates in the system.  Each college and university then identifies core courses that meet the standards.

In his opening statement, Rhoades praised his colleagues in the General Assembly on the bi-partisan collaboration needed to break down barriers to higher education for Pennsylvania's students.

"The fact that this became law at all is a testament to bi-partisan cooperation. And it is witness to the idea that, when we work together, we can achieve great things for the people we serve," said Rhoades. "The process we used to enact this new law is one of the finest examples of bipartisan cooperation toward a goal that is essential to the education of our present and future higher education students."

Rhoades noted that that the Senate Education Committee will hold future hearings on the new articulation system as it continues to be implemented in Pennsylvania.