Within this guide we document a number of promising practices with respect to statewide transfer and articulation policies and practices. The information we gathered suggests a legitimate role for policy, including policy at the state level.

Slideshow presentation of Higher Education Web Portals: Serving State and Student Transfer Needs.

Slideshow analysis of state articulation and transfer.

The strategic partnership between AcademyOne and Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Career and Technical Education (BCTE) began in 2008. In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Perkins Five Year State Plan, as mandated by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV), Career and Technical Programs of Study (POS) aligning with statewide articulation agreements were being developed. Agreements were designed to ensure a non-duplicative, seamless transition for students from secondary level to postsecondary level based on achievement of competencies. This effort in Pennsylvania became known as Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR).

Starting in the Fall of 2008, students have been able to use the Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System to make the transfer of college credits easier. And since then, Pennsylvania has seen a 13% increase in the number of students transferring from Pennsylvania community colleges to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities and a 9% increase in the total number of credits transferred. With an average cost of $231 per credit hour, the credits transferred in 2009 alone have saved students nearly $34.5 million in "credit transfer taxes," i.e. the cost of having to repeat a course not accepted for transfer by the student's new college.

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