I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6135 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 17, 2012 Mr. George Miller of California (for himself, Mr. Hinojosa, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Polis, Ms. Fudge, Ms. Norton, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Davis of Illinois, and Mr. Kucinich) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To increase transparency and reduce students’ burdens related to transferring credits between institutions of higher education.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Transferring Credits for College Completion Act of 2012.

2.

Data reporting requirements

(a)

Transfer completion data

Section 132(i)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a(i)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (AA)The percentages of degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at the institution who have transferred from another institution and who obtain a degree or certificate within— (i)the normal time for completion of, or graduation from, the student’s program (including the time spent as a degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate student at any other institution); (ii)150 percent of the normal time for completion of, or graduation from, the student’s program (including the time spent as a degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate student at any other institution); and (iii)200 percent of the normal time for completion of, or graduation from, the students program (including the time spent as a degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate student at any other institution). . (b)

Effective date

This section shall take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act.

3.

Articulation agreements

(a)

Transfer of credit policies

Section 485(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(h)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1)— (A)by striking and at the end of subparagraph (A); (B)by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting ; and; and (C)by adding at the end the following: (C)to the extent practicable, in each electronic and printed publication of the institution’s course schedule published on or after July 1, 2014, in a manner of the institution’s choosing, for each course or program of study listed in the institution’s course schedule, whether such course or program of study is transferable for credit toward the completion of a degree at a public institution of higher education in the State in which the institution is located. ; and (2)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting following: (2)

Articulation agreements

Except as provided in paragraph (3), each public institution of higher education participating in any program under this title shall, not later than July 1, 2014, enter into an articulation agreement (as defined in section 486A(a)) held in common with the other public institutions of higher education that are in the State in which the institution is located and that are participating in any such program. Such articulation agreement shall, at a minimum, include the following: (A)A common general education core curriculum consisting of not less than 30 credit hours or the equivalent coursework, which are fully acceptable in transfer at any such public institution of higher education in the State toward meeting specific degree or certificate requirements. (B)Common course numbering for substantially similar courses in such common general education core curriculum. (C)A guarantee that an associate degree in an academic major in the arts or sciences that is awarded by a public institution of higher education in the State on or after July 1, 2014, shall be fully acceptable in transfer and credited as the first 2 years of a related baccalaureate program at a public institution of higher education in such State. (3)

Exception for Tribal Colleges and Universities

A Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316) shall not be required to enter into or otherwise participate in an articulation agreement required under paragraph (2). (4)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to— (A)except as provided in paragraph (2), authorize the Secretary or the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity to require particular policies, procedures, or practices by institutions of higher education with respect to transfer of credit; (B)authorize an officer or employee of the Department to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum, program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any institution of higher education, or over any accrediting agency or association; (C)limit the application of the General Education Provisions Act; (D)require an institution of higher education to accept or enroll a student; or (E)create any legally enforceable right, including with respect to a guarantee under paragraph (2)(C), on the part of a student to require an institution of higher education to accept the student for enrollment or to accept a transfer of credit from another institution. . (b)

Articulation agreements

Section 486A(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1093a(b)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1)— (A)by inserting that meet the requirements of section 485(h)(2) after comprehensive articulation agreements; (B)by inserting comprehensive articulation agreements after practicable); (C)by striking 2010 and inserting 2014; and (D)by striking the third sentence, including subparagraphs (A) through (D); and (2)in paragraph (2), by inserting before the period at the end the following: and section 485(h)(2).