The Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) Approval ...

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The Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) Approval Process

Cathy Whipple, Program AssistantATC Approval Office, Stephen F. Austin State University


Purpose of the ATC Purpose of the ATC ProgramProgram

The Advanced Technical Credit The Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) Program gives eligible (ATC) Program gives eligible

high school students a chance high school students a chance to receive credit at to receive credit at

participating community participating community colleges across Texas for taking colleges across Texas for taking

certain enhanced technical certain enhanced technical courses during high school. courses during high school.


College credit received College credit received through the ATC Program is through the ATC Program is

know as know as statewide-articulatedstatewide-articulated credit.credit.


What is articulation?What is articulation?

Articulation is the smooth transition Articulation is the smooth transition from one educational institution to from one educational institution to another without delays or duplication another without delays or duplication of coursework.of coursework.

Examples of articulation programs: Examples of articulation programs: Tech Prep, ATC.Tech Prep, ATC.


ATC is not Tech PrepATC is not Tech Prep

1. Tech Prep articulates a PROGRAM (a 1. Tech Prep articulates a PROGRAM (a sequence of courses that will count sequence of courses that will count towards a specific certificate or degree) towards a specific certificate or degree) between ONE high school/district and between ONE high school/district and ONE local community college.ONE local community college.

2. The ATC Program articulates single 2. The ATC Program articulates single courses. Eligible students can receive courses. Eligible students can receive credit for these courses at participating credit for these courses at participating community colleges across the state community colleges across the state (“statewide-articulated” credit).(“statewide-articulated” credit).


The ATC Program…The ATC Program… Is made possible by an agreement Is made possible by an agreement

between the Texas Higher Education between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency.Education Agency.

Allows students to attend a variety of Allows students to attend a variety of participating colleges across the state.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 ProcessATC Approval Process

IdentifyIdentify TrainTrain VerifyVerify


IdentifyIdentify School identifies a need for an ATC School identifies a need for an ATC

course.course. School identifies a teacher who School identifies a teacher who

meets ATC teacher requirements for meets ATC teacher requirements for the ATC course.the ATC course.


TrainTrain Teacher attends ATC training for the Teacher attends ATC training for the

course, where they submit the ATC course, where they submit the ATC Application for Approval.Application for Approval.

Application is sent to ATC Approval Application is sent to ATC Approval Office at SFA.Office at SFA.


VerifyVerify ATC Approval Office verifies that the ATC Approval Office verifies that the

teacher meets the teacher teacher meets the teacher requirements for the ATC course.requirements for the ATC course.

Approval for the ATC course is added Approval for the ATC course is added to the teacher’s online certificate.to the teacher’s online certificate.

School verifies that the ATC course is School verifies that the ATC course is listed on the online certificate, then listed on the online certificate, then begins offering the ATC course.begins offering the ATC course.


IDENTIFYIDENTIFY


Identifying a need for an ATC CourseIdentifying a need for an ATC Course

ATC courses are listed in the ATC Course ATC courses are listed in the ATC Course Crosswalk (updated annually).Crosswalk (updated annually).

Look for courses already offered at your Look for courses already offered at your school.school.

To be articulated, a course must be at To be articulated, a course must be at least 1 credit. On the crosswalk, ½ credit least 1 credit. On the crosswalk, ½ credit courses are paired with other courses to courses are paired with other courses to equal at least 1 credit. equal at least 1 credit.

ATC courses will be content-enhanced ATC courses will be content-enhanced beyond the TEKS – enhancements are beyond the TEKS – enhancements are defined by college-level course outcomes.defined by college-level course outcomes.


Identify an ATC TeacherIdentify an ATC Teacher Each ATC course section must be Each ATC course section must be

taught by an ATC approved teacher.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 Why does the ATC Program have teacher requirements?requirements?

College instructors must meet minimum College instructors must meet minimum criteria to teach.criteria to teach.

Criteria is set by the Southern Association Criteria is set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

If a college hires an instructor who does If a college hires an instructor who does not meet minimum criteria, the college not meet minimum criteria, the college risks losing their accreditation from SACS.risks losing their accreditation from SACS.

SACS views any high school teacher SACS views any high school teacher offering courses for college credit as offering courses for college credit as adjunct college faculty.adjunct college faculty.


Why does the ATC Program have teacher Why does the ATC Program have teacher requirements?requirements?

As adjunct college faculty, the high school As adjunct college faculty, the high school teacher must meet the same criteria as the teacher must meet the same criteria as the college instructor.college instructor.

If a college accepts credit from a student If a college accepts credit from a student who was taught by a teacher who did not who was taught by a teacher who did not meet the minimum criteria, the college meet the minimum criteria, the college could lose their SACS accreditation.could lose their SACS accreditation.

The ATC Teacher Requirements are set by The ATC Teacher Requirements are set by the ATC State Leadership Committee, and the ATC State Leadership Committee, and based on the minimum criteria required by based on the minimum criteria required by SACS.SACS.


ATC Teacher RequirementsATC Teacher RequirementsTeachers Teachers mustmust meet one of these requirements meet one of these requirements

for each ATC course:for each ATC course:

Requirement 1: The teacher must have a Requirement 1: The teacher must have a baccalaureate degree or higher, with the degree baccalaureate degree or higher, with the degree major in the subject area of the ATC course.major in the subject area of the ATC course.

OROR

Requirement 2: The teacher must have a Requirement 2: The teacher must have a minimum of an associate degree and 3 years minimum of an associate degree and 3 years verifiable non-teaching work experience directly verifiable non-teaching work experience directly related to the subject area of the ATC course.related to the subject area of the ATC course.


Requirement 1Requirement 1

““The teacher must have a The teacher must have a baccalaureatebaccalaureate

degree or higher, with the degree major degree or higher, with the degree major inin

the subject area of the ATC course.”the subject area of the ATC course.”

Only degree majors are considered.Only degree majors are considered. Minors, partial degrees, or teaching Minors, partial degrees, or teaching

certificates are not considered.certificates are not considered.


Requirement 2Requirement 2

““The teacher must have a minimum of The teacher must have a minimum of an associate degree and 3 years an associate degree and 3 years

verifiable non-teaching work verifiable non-teaching work experience directly related to the experience directly related to the subject area of the ATC course.”subject area of the ATC course.”

Teacher must have at least an Teacher must have at least an associate’s degree. Non-degreed associate’s degree. Non-degreed individuals cannot be approved.individuals cannot be approved.


Example 1. Principles of Example 1. Principles of MarketingMarketing

Teacher must have either:Teacher must have either: 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in

MarketingMarketing

OROR 2. Associate’s degree (or higher), with 3 2. Associate’s degree (or higher), with 3

years non-teaching work experience in years non-teaching work experience in marketing or sales.marketing or sales.


Example 2. Telecommunication and Example 2. Telecommunication and NetworkingNetworking

Teacher must have either:Teacher must have either: 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in

Computer Science, Computer Computer Science, Computer Information Systems.Information Systems.


years of non-teaching work experience years of non-teaching work experience in computer networking.in computer networking.


Example 3. Health Science Technology Example 3. Health Science Technology II

Teacher must have either:Teacher must have either: 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a 1. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a

medical field (Nursing, Medical medical field (Nursing, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, etc.).Technology, Pharmacy, etc.).


years non-teaching work experience in a years non-teaching work experience in a medical field (dentistry, nursing, medical field (dentistry, nursing, radiology, etc.).radiology, etc.).


SBEC CertificationSBEC Certification Teachers who don’t yet have their Teachers who don’t yet have their

Standard (5-year) SBEC Certificate in Standard (5-year) SBEC Certificate in the area of the course can be the area of the course can be approved, but they will be asked to approved, but they will be asked to provide proof that they meet the provide proof that they meet the requirements.requirements.

Will discuss this more in the “Verify” Will discuss this more in the “Verify” section.section.


Courses with Additional Courses with Additional RequirementsRequirements

Some ATC courses have additional Some ATC courses have additional instructor requirements.instructor requirements. College equivalent accredited by outside College equivalent accredited by outside

agency.agency. College equivalent prepares students for College equivalent prepares students for

licensure or certification.licensure or certification. Teachers will need to provide Teachers will need to provide

documentation of these licenses and documentation of these licenses and certificates.certificates.


Courses Additional Instructor Requirements

Banking and Financial SystemsMust 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 IIMust hold Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)

certification for Diesel Engines

Internetworking Technologies I Cisco CurriculumNetworking Essentials I Cisco Curriculum

Must be a Cisco-trained instructor for Cisco 1 and 2.

Internetworking Technologies II Cisco CurriculumMust be a Cisco-trained instructor for Cisco 1 through

4.

Health Science Technology III Vocational NursingVocational Nursing Career Preparation III

Must be a Licensed Vocational Nurse or a Registered Nurse.

Health Science Technology III Medical LabMedical Lab Career Preparation II

Must be a certified Medical Laboratory Technician or a Medical Technologist.

Health Science Technology III Pharmacy AidePharmacy Aide Career Preparation III

Must be a certified Pharmacy Aide or Pharmacist

Health Science Technology III Medical AssistingMedical Assisting Career Preparation III

Must be a certified Medical Assistant or a Registered Nurse.

Health Science Technology III EMT-BasicEMT-Basic Career Preparation III

Must be a certified Emergency Medical Technician.

Courses with Additional Courses with Additional RequirementsRequirements


TRAINTRAIN


TrainTrain To find a training session:To find a training session:

ATC website (ATC website (www.atctexas.orgwww.atctexas.org)) Tech Prep consortiumTech Prep consortium Local community collegeLocal community college P-16 ConferenceP-16 Conference TEA Summer ConferencesTEA Summer Conferences

Deadline to take training for Deadline to take training for upcoming school year: 3upcoming school year: 3rdrd Friday in Friday in September (9/16/06).September (9/16/06).

http://www.atctexas.org/


Training consists of:Training consists of: Part I – 2 hours.Part I – 2 hours.

General introduction to ATC ProgramGeneral introduction to ATC Program Part II – 1 hour. Part II – 1 hour.

Teacher meets with college faculty to Teacher meets with college faculty to discuss course enhancements. discuss course enhancements.

Teachers will take one Part II session for Teachers will take one Part II session for each ATC course.each ATC course.

Due to time limitations, generally a Due to time limitations, generally a maximum of 3 Part II sessions at one maximum of 3 Part II sessions at one training session.training session.


TrainingTraining During training, teachers fill out During training, teachers fill out

approval application.approval application. List their degrees, majors.List their degrees, majors. List their jobs (employer, position, List their jobs (employer, position,

duration).duration). After training, applications are After training, applications are

collected by trainer and submitted to collected by trainer and submitted to ATC Approval Office.ATC Approval Office.


VERIFYVERIFY


ATC Approval OfficeATC Approval Office Approval Office verifies that teacher Approval Office verifies that teacher

meets the ATC requirements for the meets the ATC requirements for the course(s) they requested.course(s) they requested. Teacher meets requirements: Approved.Teacher meets requirements: Approved. Can’t tell if teacher meets requirements: Can’t tell if teacher meets requirements:

Email request for more information.Email request for more information. Teacher doesn’t meet requirements: Teacher doesn’t meet requirements:

Cannot be approved (mailed letter).Cannot be approved (mailed letter).


Teacher ApprovedTeacher Approved Approval is added to the teacher’s Approval is added to the teacher’s

online certificate (online certificate (www.atctexas.orgwww.atctexas.org)) Approval is valid for 3 years (August Approval is valid for 3 years (August

1 – July 31).1 – July 31). Teacher sent an automatically Teacher sent an automatically

generated email letting them know generated email letting them know they have been approved.they have been approved.



Teacher sent Information Request Teacher sent Information Request emailemail

Teacher is sent an email requesting Teacher is sent an email requesting more information when:more information when: Did not provide enough information on Did not provide enough information on

their application (major, job title) to tell their application (major, job title) to tell if they meet requirements.if they meet requirements.

Need documentation of certification for Need documentation of certification for a course with additional requirements.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 Teacher who does not have Standard SBEC…SBEC…

Can still be approved, but need to provide Can still be approved, but need to provide documentation showing that they meet documentation showing that they meet ATC requirements.ATC requirements.

If teacher meets Requirement 1 (related If teacher meets Requirement 1 (related bachelor’s degree or higher), will need to bachelor’s degree or higher), will need to provide:provide: Official transcripts.Official transcripts.

If teacher meets Requirement 2 If teacher meets Requirement 2 (associate’s degree or higher with 3 yrs (associate’s degree or higher with 3 yrs related work experience), will need to related work experience), will need to provide:provide: Official transcripts.Official transcripts. Detailed work history information.Detailed work history information.


Teacher Cannot be Teacher Cannot be ApprovedApproved

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 Teacher will be mailed a letter stating the reason they could not be approved.reason they could not be approved.

Letter provides instructions if teacher Letter provides instructions if teacher would like to provide more information would like to provide more information and be reconsidered.and be reconsidered.

Teachers who are not ATC approved can Teachers who are not ATC approved can still teach regular non-ATC course.still teach regular non-ATC course.


ProblemsProblems Teachers do not get information request Teachers do not get information request

emails.emails. Spam blockers/Junk email boxesSpam blockers/Junk email boxes Change email addressesChange email addresses

Teachers don’t get non-Approval letters.Teachers don’t get non-Approval letters. Lost in mail, teacher movesLost in mail, teacher moves

Teachers should:Teachers should: Check online certificate (~1 month after training)Check online certificate (~1 month after training) Check email, regular mailCheck email, regular mail If they have not received any notification, contact If they have not received any notification, contact

the ATC Approval Office ([email protected]).the ATC Approval Office ([email protected]).


School Verifies ApprovalSchool Verifies Approval School/District checks to see that School/District checks to see that

teacher has been issued approval for teacher has been issued approval for the needed ATC course.the needed ATC course. Ask teacher to print copy of online Ask teacher to print copy of online

certificatecertificate Use ATC District Reporting website Use ATC District Reporting website

(access through (access through www.atctexas.orgwww.atctexas.org).).



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

year.year.


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

the ATC course.the ATC course.


ATC Course CrosswalkATC Course Crosswalk


ATC Course CrosswalkATC Course Crosswalk List of all ATC courses and their List of all ATC courses and their

college equivalents.college equivalents. Divided into 8 curriculum areas Divided into 8 curriculum areas

(business, agriculture, health (business, agriculture, health science, etc.)science, etc.)

Crosswalk in each curriculum area Crosswalk in each curriculum area created by a committee of secondary created by a committee of secondary teachers and college instructors.teachers and college instructors.

Curriculum areas are reviewed and Curriculum areas are reviewed and updated every 3 years or as needed.updated every 3 years or as needed.


Sample from CrosswalkSample from Crosswalk


Changes to CrosswalkChanges to Crosswalk Any course(s) to be added or Any course(s) to be added or

removed from the crosswalk MUST removed from the crosswalk MUST be approved by the ATC State be approved by the ATC State Leadership Committee.Leadership Committee.

Changes may be due to:Changes may be due to: Curriculum committee recommendationsCurriculum committee recommendations Changes to TEKS or WECM (HS/College Changes to TEKS or WECM (HS/College

course content changes).course content changes). HS/College course not widely offered.HS/College course not widely offered.


Changes to CrosswalkChanges to Crosswalk Crosswalk updated once a year (spring).Crosswalk updated once a year (spring). Once crosswalk has been released, no Once crosswalk has been released, no

major changes will be made to it.major changes will be made to it. New changes will go on to next year’s New changes will go on to next year’s

crosswalk.crosswalk. When course is removed from crosswalk, When course is removed from crosswalk,

it can no longer be offered as an ATC it can no longer be offered as an ATC course (also removed from PEIMS list).course (also removed from PEIMS list).


Want to suggest a Crosswalk Want to suggest a Crosswalk change?change?

Ask for “Request for Course Change” Ask for “Request for Course Change” form.form.

Fill out form and return to ATC Office.Fill out form and return to ATC Office. Suggestions will be submitted to ATC Suggestions will be submitted to ATC

State Leadership Committee for State Leadership Committee for review.review.

Suggestions may be taken into Suggestions may be taken into consideration during curriculum area consideration during curriculum area reviews.reviews.


ATC Approval OfficeATC Approval Office

Stephen F. Austin State UniversityStephen F. Austin State University

Contact Information:Contact Information: Dr. Bill Wilson, ATC Program Dr. Bill Wilson, ATC Program

CoordinatorCoordinator [email protected]@sfasu.edu

Cathy Whipple, ATC Program AssistantCathy Whipple, ATC Program Assistant [email protected]@sfasu.edu


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