Rhoades Introduces Legislation to Require Colleges One Year to Put a State Wide Articulation System in Place

HARRISBURG- With the goal of making it easier for students to transfer credits between Pennsylvania's publicly-supported colleges and universities, Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29) has introduced legislation that would give those schools one year to put a state-wide articulation system in place.

"We have to remember that higher education in Pennsylvania is about the students, not the schools," Rhoades said.

"Every year in Pennsylvania, thousands of students transfer from one institution of higher education to another. Often, some or all of the credits they received at their former institution are not accepted for transfer to their new institution," he added. "When a student loses as much as a semester's worth of credits by transferring from one institution to another, it involves a lot of time and a lot of money."

According to Rhoades, Senate Bill 1147 would require Pennsylvania's community colleges, universities in the State System of Higher Education and the state-related universities to comply with these requirements. Independent colleges and universities would have the option to participate.

In addition, if institutions of higher education do not adopt articulation policies by June 30, 2007, Senate Bill 1147 will require the Department of Education to adopt regulations establishing such a policy for them.

"Educators and students have long been aware that the process of transferring credits from one institution to another needs to be simplified," said Rhoades. " I will work to make this important legislation a reality for Pennsylvania's students."

Senate Bill 1147 will be referred to the Senate Education Committee and a public hearing will be scheduled.