New and Revised Systemwide Test Credit in the CSU 05-12-10
From: O'Donnell, Ken
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 5:18 PM
Subject: New and revised systemwide test credit in the CSU
Attached is CSU Academic Affairs Coded Memo 2010-09, which updates systemwide minimum awards of baccalaureate and GE credit for AP, IB, and CLEP standardized exams. This memo supersedes Coded Memo 2009-11, and makes the following changes (which are noted in red on the version labeled "revisions marked"):
1. Restores GE units for certain tests taken before Fall, 2009. We did this to bring the memo into alignment with an earlier, 1997 memo from Jolayne Service at the CSU Office of the Chancellor, which had awarded six units of GE credit for these exams:
AP Chemistry
AP French Language
AP French Literature
AP German Language
AP Physics B
AP Spanish Language
AP Spanish Literature
In all seven cases, the higher credit award is phased out as of Fall 2009. The intent is reduce the award going forward, without unfairly treating students who'd planned on the higher credit value by following our previous policy.
2. Separates AP Studio Art exams. Because the CSU treats these three tests the same, previous versions of this memo listed them as a group. In the attached each test is now listed separately with its full title, to match the way it appears on score reports from the College Board.
3. Separately lists the College Board "subscore" for Calculus. This too is a change in layout rather than a change in policy.
4. Adds CLEP exams. The CSU has significantly expanded its acceptance of tests administered by the College Board's "College Learning Examination Program," CLEP, and for the first time authorizes the use of CLEP toward areas of the GE Breadth curriculum. This is meant to let community colleges use these tests for "pass-along" credit in GE certification, as set forth in our Executive Orders 1033 and 1036.
This memo is posted with other Coded Memos from CSU Academic Affairs here:
http://www.calstate.edu/acadaff/codedmemos/
Please get in touch if you have questions.
Ken
Ken O'Donnell
State University Associate Dean
Academic Programs and Policy
CSU Office of the Chancellor
562-951-4735
kodonnell@calstate.edu