When it comes to affordable college credit while still in high school, one of the key questions to ask is where the credit comes from. As you are helping your students understand their options, it’s important to know the college that is approving the course and the process they go through to review and approve the course for college credit.
If you are working with a college directly for the college-level course, it’s obvious where the credit is coming from. But if you are working with an organization that isn’t a college, that information might not be so clear. Organizations like TEL work with transcribing partners to provide that college credit.
What Is A Transcribing Partner?
Transcribing partners are colleges or universities that agree to recognize a course for college credit, saying that the curriculum and the rigor matches what they would expect from their own courses. These partners provide an official college transcript for courses that students complete successfully. Providing this transcript makes the college a transcribing partner.
What Is The Vetting Process?
Different institutions may look for different things when deciding if they will be a transcribing partner. It’s a good idea to check with the organization offering the courses to make sure you know what their vetting process looks like. It should include:
Reviewing the total number of estimated contact hours required to complete the course
Evaluating course objectives to make sure they match a similar course
Reviewing the course materials for key concepts
Determining whether the assessments show the level of understanding that the school would expect from a similar course
The review process is more than just thumbing through a few pages and rubber stamping a course. At TEL, we provide course review packets that are more than 40 pages long so schools can get an accurate view of what the course is and how it might compare to a similar course on their campus.
What Support Do Students Receive?
Students who enroll in Courses on Demand are typically not eligible for services from the transcribing partner, such as professional development activities or counseling services. Check to make sure the organization providing the courses provides support services to help students as they work through the course materials.
Transcribing allows students to identify high-quality courses that can also provide affordable and flexible options for college credit. When you understand the vetting process, you will be able to provide the best information for your students.
One of the wonderful things about working with students is no two of them are exactly alike. Different goals, different interests, different strengths. When it comes to earning college credit in high school, different programs work better for different students. While...
Regardless of what your student wants to get out of their gap year, the ultimate goal for most students taking a year off after high school is to complete a degree. Having a personalized learning plan during the gap year can keep their study skills sharp, show...
The idea behind dual credit is simple: high school students take courses for college credit while also completing their high school requirements at the same time. But the process for enrolling and managing a dual credit program can be a little daunting for a counselor...
Senior year tends to be a blur of applications, exams, and events for many students finishing their high school careers. After 13 years of structured learning, many students decide they need some time off before they launch into their next step. And they aren’t...
Your students have a number of options when it comes to earning college credit during high school, and dual credit is one of the most cost-effective. As you look at dual credit partners, here are some qualities to keep in mind as you evaluate which program is best for...
As juniors and seniors plan the last few years of their high school career, they are probably thinking about prom, graduation, and applying for college. As counselors, you know many of them are also questioning how they can afford college and wondering what they can...
Want more resources to help students earn college credit in high school?
