Rhoades Opens Hearings on College Articulation System by Calling on Schools to Put Students First

Publicly-Supported Colleges & Universities Would Have 1 Year to Develop Better Way to Transfer Credits

HARRISBURG – At the first of two hearings to be held by the Senate Education Committee, committee chairman James J. Rhoades (R-29), today called on Pennsylvania's publicly-supported colleges and universities to create a statewide articulation system that would allow students to transfer credits more easily from one school to another.

Rhoades said legislation he has introduced, Senate Bill 1147, would require Pennsylvania's community colleges, universities in the State System of Higher Education, and the state-related universities to adopt a statewide articulation system. If they fail to do so, the Department of Education would establish one for them.

"This is the beginning of the legislative process," said Rhoades. " I am eager to work with our colleges and universities, my colleagues in the General Assembly and the Administration to make the goals of this bill a reality."

Rhoades read an opening statement at the first of two hearings planned by the committee on Senate Bill 1147.

"How frustrating is it for a student to attempt to transfer to another college only to find that some of the courses they completed at their first school don't transfer?

"For students who attend schools that are subsidized by public funds, this simply shouldn't happen."

Rhoades called on Pennsylvania's publicly-supported colleges and universities to work as partners, to set aside "parochial interests," and to "put students first." Participation by independent colleges and universities would be optional, he noted.

The next hearing on the articulation issue is scheduled for Wed., March 29th at 9:00A.M. in Room 8EB of the East Wing of the Capitol Building.