The Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) Approval Process Bill Wilson, Program Coordinator Carrie Baker, Program Assistant ATC Approval Office, Stephen F. Austin State University

Purpose of the ATC Program The Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) Program gives eligible high school students a chance to receive credit at participating community colleges across Texas for taking certain enhanced technical courses during high school.

College credit received through the ATC Program is know as statewide-articulated credit.

What is articulation? Articulation is the smooth transition from one educational institution to another without delays or duplication of coursework. Articulation is the smooth transition from one educational institution to another without delays or duplication of coursework. Examples of articulation programs: Tech Prep, ATC. Examples of articulation programs: Tech Prep, ATC.

ATC is not Tech Prep 1. Tech Prep articulates a PROGRAM (a sequence of courses that will count towards a specific certificate or degree) between ONE high school/district and ONE local community college. 1. Tech Prep articulates a PROGRAM (a sequence of courses that will count towards a specific certificate or degree) between ONE high school/district and ONE local community college. 2. The ATC Program articulates single courses. Eligible students can receive credit for these courses at participating community colleges across the state (“statewide-articulated” credit). 2. The ATC Program articulates single courses. Eligible students can receive credit for these courses at participating community colleges across the state (“statewide-articulated” credit).

The ATC Program… Is made possible by an agreement between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency. Is made possible by an agreement between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency. Allows students to attend a variety of participating colleges across the state. Allows students to attend a variety of participating colleges across the state. Is a time and money saver for students. Is a time and money saver for students. They avoid duplicating coursework. They avoid duplicating coursework. They don’t have to pay for tuition or books. They don’t have to pay for tuition or books.

ATC Approval Process Identify Identify Train Train Verify Verify

Identify School identifies a need for an ATC course. School identifies a need for an ATC course. School identifies a teacher who meets ATC teacher requirements for the ATC course. School identifies a teacher who meets ATC teacher requirements for the ATC course.

Train Teacher attends ATC training for the course, where they submit the ATC Application for Approval. Teacher attends ATC training for the course, where they submit the ATC Application for Approval. Application is sent to ATC Approval Office at SFA. Application is sent to ATC Approval Office at SFA.

Verify ATC Approval Office verifies that the teacher meets the teacher requirements for the ATC course. ATC Approval Office verifies that the teacher meets the teacher requirements for the ATC course. Approval for the ATC course is added to the teacher’s online certificate. Approval for the ATC course is added to the teacher’s online certificate. School verifies that the ATC course is listed on the online certificate, then begins offering the ATC course. School verifies that the ATC course is listed on the online certificate, then begins offering the ATC course.

IDENTIFY

Identifying a need for an ATC Course ATC courses are listed in the ATC Course Crosswalk (updated annually). ATC courses are listed in the ATC Course Crosswalk (updated annually). Look for courses already offered at your school. Look for courses already offered at your school. To be articulated, a course must be at least 1 credit. On the crosswalk, ½ credit courses are paired with other courses to equal at least 1 credit. To be articulated, a course must be at least 1 credit. On the crosswalk, ½ credit courses are paired with other courses to equal at least 1 credit. ATC courses will be content-enhanced beyond the TEKS – enhancements are defined by college-level course outcomes. ATC courses will be content-enhanced beyond the TEKS – enhancements are defined by college-level course outcomes.

Identify an ATC Teacher Each ATC course section must be taught by an ATC approved teacher. Each ATC course section must be taught by an ATC approved teacher. To be approved, the teacher must: To be approved, the teacher must: Meet ATC teacher requirements. Meet ATC teacher requirements. Take ATC training. Take ATC training.

Why does the ATC Program have teacher requirements? College instructors must meet minimum criteria to teach. College instructors must meet minimum criteria to teach. Criteria is set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Criteria is set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). If a college hires an instructor who does not meet minimum criteria, the college risks losing their accreditation from SACS. If a college hires an instructor who does not meet minimum criteria, the college risks losing their accreditation from SACS. SACS views any high school teacher offering courses for college credit as adjunct college faculty. SACS views any high school teacher offering courses for college credit as adjunct college faculty.

Why does the ATC Program have teacher requirements? As adjunct college faculty, the high school teacher must meet the same criteria as the college instructor. As adjunct college faculty, the high school teacher must meet the same criteria as the college instructor. If a college accepts credit from a student who was taught by a teacher who did not meet the minimum criteria, the college could lose their SACS accreditation. If a college accepts credit from a student who was taught by a teacher who did not meet the minimum criteria, the college could lose their SACS accreditation. The ATC Teacher Requirements are set by the ATC State Leadership Committee, and based on the minimum criteria required by SACS. The ATC Teacher Requirements are set by the ATC State Leadership Committee, and based on the minimum criteria required by SACS.

ATC Teacher Requirements Teachers must meet one of these requirements for each ATC course: Requirement 1: The teacher must have a baccalaureate degree or higher, with the degree major in the subject area of the ATC course. OR Requirement 2: The teacher must have a minimum of an associate degree and 3 years verifiable non- teaching work experience directly related to the subject area of the ATC course.

Requirement 1 “The teacher must have a baccalaureate degree or higher, with the degree major in the subject area of the ATC course.” Only degree majors are considered. Only degree majors are considered. Minors, partial degrees, or teaching certificates are not considered. Minors, partial degrees, or teaching certificates are not considered.

Requirement 2 “The teacher must have a minimum of an associate degree and 3 years verifiable non-teaching work experience directly related to the subject area of the ATC course.” Teacher must have at least an associate’s degree. Non-degreed individuals cannot be approved. Teacher must have at least an associate’s degree. Non-degreed individuals cannot be approved.

Example 1. Principles of Marketing Teacher must have either: Teacher must have either: 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Marketing 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in MarketingOR 2. Associate’s degree (or higher), with 3 years non-teaching work experience in marketing or sales. 2. Associate’s degree (or higher), with 3 years non-teaching work experience in marketing or sales.

Example 2. Telecommunication and Networking Teacher must have either: Teacher must have either: 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems. 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems.OR 2. Associate’s degree (or higher), with 3 years of non-teaching work experience in computer networking. 2. Associate’s degree (or higher), with 3 years of non-teaching work experience in computer networking.

Example 3. Health Science Technology I Teacher must have either: Teacher must have either: 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a medical field (Nursing, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, etc.). 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a medical field (Nursing, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, etc.).OR 2. Associate’s degree (or higher), with 3 years non-teaching work experience in a medical field (dentistry, nursing, radiology, etc.). 2. Associate’s degree (or higher), with 3 years non-teaching work experience in a medical field (dentistry, nursing, radiology, etc.).

SBEC Certification Teachers who don’t yet have their Standard (5-year) SBEC Certificate in the area of the course can be approved, but they will be asked to provide proof that they meet the requirements. Teachers who don’t yet have their Standard (5-year) SBEC Certificate in the area of the course can be approved, but they will be asked to provide proof that they meet the requirements. Will discuss this more in the “Verify” section. Will discuss this more in the “Verify” section.

Courses with Additional Requirements Some ATC courses have additional instructor requirements. Some ATC courses have additional instructor requirements. College equivalent accredited by outside agency. College equivalent accredited by outside agency. College equivalent prepares students for licensure or certification. College equivalent prepares students for licensure or certification. Teachers will need to provide documentation of these licenses and certificates. Teachers will need to provide documentation of these licenses and certificates.

CoursesAdditional Instructor Requirements Banking and Financial Systems Must have 36 months finance work experience (requirement of American Banker's Association) Automotive Technician II NATEF Curriculum - Suspension and Steering Must hold Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification for Suspension and Steering Automotive Technician II NATEF Curriculum - Brakes Must hold Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification for Brakes Diesel Mechanics II Must hold Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification for Diesel Engines Internetworking Technologies I Cisco Curriculum Networking Essentials I Cisco Curriculum Must be a Cisco-trained instructor for Cisco 1 and 2. Internetworking Technologies II Cisco Curriculum Must be a Cisco-trained instructor for Cisco 1 through 4. Health Science Technology III Vocational Nursing Vocational Nursing Career Preparation III Must be a Licensed Vocational Nurse or a Registered Nurse. Health Science Technology III Medical Lab Medical Lab Career Preparation II Must be a certified Medical Laboratory Technician or a Medical Technologist. Health Science Technology III Pharmacy Aide Pharmacy Aide Career Preparation III Must be a certified Pharmacy Aide or Pharmacist Health Science Technology III Medical Assisting Medical Assisting Career Preparation III Must be a certified Medical Assistant or a Registered Nurse. Health Science Technology III EMT-Basic EMT-Basic Career Preparation III Must be a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Courses with Additional Requirements

TRAIN

Train To find a training session: To find a training session: ATC website ( ATC website ( Tech Prep consortium Tech Prep consortium Local community college Local community college P-16 Conference P-16 Conference TEA Summer Conferences TEA Summer Conferences Deadline to take training for upcoming school year: 3 rd Friday in September (9/16/06). Deadline to take training for upcoming school year: 3 rd Friday in September (9/16/06).

Training consists of: Part I – 2 hours. Part I – 2 hours. General introduction to ATC Program General introduction to ATC Program Part II – 1 hour. Part II – 1 hour. Teacher meets with college faculty to discuss course enhancements. Teacher meets with college faculty to discuss course enhancements. Teachers will take one Part II session for each ATC course. Teachers will take one Part II session for each ATC course. Due to time limitations, generally a maximum of 3 Part II sessions at one training session. Due to time limitations, generally a maximum of 3 Part II sessions at one training session.

Training During training, teachers fill out approval application. During training, teachers fill out approval application. List their degrees, majors. List their degrees, majors. List their jobs (employer, position, duration). List their jobs (employer, position, duration). After training, applications are collected by trainer and submitted to ATC Approval Office. After training, applications are collected by trainer and submitted to ATC Approval Office.

VERIFY

ATC Approval Office Approval Office verifies that teacher meets the ATC requirements for the course(s) they requested. Approval Office verifies that teacher meets the ATC requirements for the course(s) they requested. Teacher meets requirements: Approved. Teacher meets requirements: Approved. Can’t tell if teacher meets requirements: request for more information. Can’t tell if teacher meets requirements: request for more information. Teacher doesn’t meet requirements: Cannot be approved (mailed letter). Teacher doesn’t meet requirements: Cannot be approved (mailed letter).

Teacher Approved Approval is added to the teacher’s online certificate ( Approval is added to the teacher’s online certificate ( Approval is valid for 3 years (August 1 – July 31). Approval is valid for 3 years (August 1 – July 31). Teacher sent an automatically generated letting them know they have been approved. Teacher sent an automatically generated letting them know they have been approved.

Teacher sent Information Request Teacher is sent an requesting more information when: Teacher is sent an requesting more information when: Did not provide enough information on their application (major, job title) to tell if they meet requirements. Did not provide enough information on their application (major, job title) to tell if they meet requirements. Need documentation of certification for a course with additional requirements. Need documentation of certification for a course with additional requirements. Does not have Standard (5-year) SBEC… Does not have Standard (5-year) SBEC…

Teacher who does not have Standard SBEC… Can still be approved, but need to provide documentation showing that they meet ATC requirements. Can still be approved, but need to provide documentation showing that they meet ATC requirements. If teacher meets Requirement 1 (related bachelor’s degree or higher), will need to provide: If teacher meets Requirement 1 (related bachelor’s degree or higher), will need to provide: Official transcripts. Official transcripts. If teacher meets Requirement 2 (associate’s degree or higher with 3 yrs related work experience), will need to provide: If teacher meets Requirement 2 (associate’s degree or higher with 3 yrs related work experience), will need to provide: Official transcripts. Official transcripts. Detailed work history information. Detailed work history information.

Teacher Cannot be Approved Possible reasons why: Possible reasons why: No degree. No degree. Unrelated degree. Unrelated degree. No related work experience. No related work experience. Teacher will be mailed a letter stating the reason they could not be approved. Teacher will be mailed a letter stating the reason they could not be approved. Letter provides instructions if teacher would like to provide more information and be reconsidered. Letter provides instructions if teacher would like to provide more information and be reconsidered. Teachers who are not ATC approved can still teach regular non-ATC course. Teachers who are not ATC approved can still teach regular non-ATC course.

Problems Teachers do not get information request s. Teachers do not get information request s. Spam blockers/Junk boxes Spam blockers/Junk boxes Change addresses Change addresses Teachers don’t get non-Approval letters. Teachers don’t get non-Approval letters. Lost in mail, teacher moves Lost in mail, teacher moves Teachers should: Teachers should: Check online certificate (~1 month after training) Check online certificate (~1 month after training) Check , regular mail Check , regular mail If they have not received any notification, contact the ATC Approval Office If they have not received any notification, contact the ATC Approval Office

School Verifies Approval School/District checks to see that teacher has been issued approval for the needed ATC course. School/District checks to see that teacher has been issued approval for the needed ATC course. Ask teacher to print copy of online certificate Ask teacher to print copy of online certificate Use ATC District Reporting website (access through Use ATC District Reporting website (access through

Make sure the correct course is listed, and the effective/expiration dates are valid for the current school year.

Once the approval has been verified, the school may then begin offering the ATC course.

ATC Course Crosswalk

ATC Course Crosswalk List of all ATC courses and their college equivalents. List of all ATC courses and their college equivalents. Divided into 8 curriculum areas (business, agriculture, health science, etc.) Divided into 8 curriculum areas (business, agriculture, health science, etc.) Crosswalk in each curriculum area created by a committee of secondary teachers and college instructors. Crosswalk in each curriculum area created by a committee of secondary teachers and college instructors. Curriculum areas are reviewed and updated every 3 years or as needed. Curriculum areas are reviewed and updated every 3 years or as needed.

Sample from Crosswalk

Changes to Crosswalk Any course(s) to be added or removed from the crosswalk MUST be approved by the ATC State Leadership Committee. Any course(s) to be added or removed from the crosswalk MUST be approved by the ATC State Leadership Committee. Changes may be due to: Changes may be due to: Curriculum committee recommendations Curriculum committee recommendations Changes to TEKS or WECM (HS/College course content changes). Changes to TEKS or WECM (HS/College course content changes). HS/College course not widely offered. HS/College course not widely offered.

Changes to Crosswalk Crosswalk updated once a year (spring). Crosswalk updated once a year (spring). Once crosswalk has been released, no major changes will be made to it. Once crosswalk has been released, no major changes will be made to it. New changes will go on to next year’s crosswalk. New changes will go on to next year’s crosswalk. When course is removed from crosswalk, it can no longer be offered as an ATC course (also removed from PEIMS list). When course is removed from crosswalk, it can no longer be offered as an ATC course (also removed from PEIMS list).

Want to suggest a Crosswalk change? Ask for “Request for Course Change” form. Ask for “Request for Course Change” form. Fill out form and return to ATC Office. Fill out form and return to ATC Office. Suggestions will be submitted to ATC State Leadership Committee for review. Suggestions will be submitted to ATC State Leadership Committee for review. Suggestions may be taken into consideration during curriculum area reviews. Suggestions may be taken into consideration during curriculum area reviews.

ATC Approval Office Stephen F. Austin State University Contact Information: Dr. Bill Wilson, ATC Program Coordinator Dr. Bill Wilson, ATC Program Coordinator Cathy Whipple, ATC Program Assistant Cathy Whipple, ATC Program Assistant