Articulation Agreements for Seamless Education in Higher Education Sector

The Role of Articulation Agreements in Creating Seamless Education in the Higher Education Sector Raquel LM Sukhu Peter C Thomas 1stNational Conference on Quality Assurance in Higher Education held by The Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago November 17 & 18, 2011

Articulation agreements are the bridge to seamless education through lifelong learning (Josey, 2009) Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 2

Objectives Define seamlessness in education Identify seamlessness strategies to achieve Examine articulation agreements as a strategy within HE Highlight challenges key issues, benefits and Review best practices Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 3

Seamlessness in education Coordination of smooth transition between ECCE, secondary education systems primary & An integrated concept of education stretching from through a college/university degree early childhood four-year Educational institutions content preparation without among break a in Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 4

Strategies towards Seamlessness Prior learning assessment & recognition (PLAR) School-to- work programmes Dual credit programmes Common general education core Common course numbering Qualifications and credit framework Integrated student unit record data system Articulation agreements Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 5

Articulation generally institutional policies or other structures that are implemented facilitate and monitor transfer process understood to mean the to encourage, the student refers to the mechanisms that enable student mobility within and among the institutions that comprise system the tertiary Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 6

Articulation the process of coordinating curricula at different levels of education in order to foster the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational process which is used as a vehicle to encourage between educational institutions collaboration Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 7

Articulation Through articulation, one institution are recognised by another, allowing students standing in a new programme credentials from to attain post advanced secondary Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 8

Articulation Articulation concept of transfer the process of moving a student s credits across different institutions is closely linked to the Numerators of the transfer rate tend to be focused on student transfer, and not transfer of credits Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 9

Articulation The intention of articulation policies (in the US context) transfer rates is not to improve it is to prevent the loss of credits when students transfer. Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 10

Articulation Student movement is multi-directional: Vertical upwards or downwards (reverse) Lateral between similar institutions Swirlers frequently alternating between two- and four-year institutions Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 11

Articulation Agreements United States 100 year history of articulation; state- wide agreements South Australia integration of PLAR, articulation with TAFE South East Asia - pathways for technical and vocational education graduates Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 12

Articulating in Trinidad & Tobago A number of HEIs have established agreements Scholarship on the need for seamlessness and articulation Guidelines for Framing Articulation Agreements in Trinidad and Tobago Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 13

Key Issues Differentiation and diversification The binary divide Drift (academic; vocational) Ensuring mobility, inclusive of swirlers and reverse articulation Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 14

Benefits of High Articulation FOR STUDENTS 1. Improved access and freedom of movement 2. Lower rates of drop-out or failure without credit 3. Increased programme choice 4. Less wastage time, endeavour, money Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 15

Benefits of High Articulation FOR STUDENTS 5. The possibility of non-traditional learning experiences being credited towards a degree 6. Opportunities to change concentrations or institutions mid- stream, or to delay final choices whilst still carrying forward relevant credits Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 16

Benefits of High Articulation FOR STUDENTS 7. Possibility of moving between institutions in accordance with aspirations 8. Opportunities to pursue lifelong learning through the flexible accumulation of credits over a long or short time period Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 17

Benefits of High Articulation FOR INSTITUTIONS 1. Effective means of facilitating equity under conditions of inter- and intra- institutional differentiation 2. Possibility of greater interdisciplinary programme linkage across institutions 3. Fewer repeaters and drop-outs Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 18

Benefits of High Articulation FOR INSTITUTIONS 4. Less curriculum duplication / overlap 5. Increased academic collaboration 6. Increased pass rates 7. Improved internal institutional efficiency along with the possibility of increasing student numbers Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 19

Best Practice Seven Guiding Principles 1. Parity among institutions 2. Parity of students 3. Faculty have primary responsibility for crafting agreements 4. Accommodate students without a minimum of associate degree transfer Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 20

Best Practice Seven Guiding Principles 5. Agreements in specific programme majors as well programme major courses 6. Both public and private institutions should participate 7. Data-driven performance of agreements as transfer of evaluation of Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 21

In conclusion The articulation agreement is a key mechanism upon development of a seamless HE system in Trinidad & Tobago is dependent and as participants in the HE system we must begin to critically evaluate the ways in which we build and employ them. which the Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 22

In conclusion Differentiated and diversified HE systems with articulation will, fragmented systems, seamless. insufficient best, far at be from Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 23

Thank you! Powerpoint Templates Powerpoint Templates Page 24