Basics of A-G Courses. UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Overview Purpose of “a-g” subject requirements & course lists Enhancements to “a-g” course criteria

Basics of A-G Courses

UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE

Overview

Purpose of “a-g” subject requirements & course lists

Enhancements to “a-g” course criteria & guidelines

Future commitment


Articulation & A-G Subject Requirements

UC & CSU admission requirements: 15-course pattern of college-

preparatory courses– History/social science (“a”)– English (“b”)– Mathematics (“c”)– Laboratory science (“d”)– Language other than English (“e”)– Visual and performing arts (“f”)– College-preparatory elective (“g”)


Articulation & A-G Subject Requirements

Prepare students to participate fully in their first-year program at the University.

Provide students with a general knowledge foundation for new and advanced studies.

Help students develop critical thinking and analytical skills.


A-G Course Lists

High school courses reviewed against “a-g” criteria established by UC faculty

Approved courses on “a-g” course lists used in UC/CSU admission evaluations

New “a-g” courses and revisions submitted via A-G Course Management Portal


A-G Enhancements for 2015-16

Clarification: “a-g” course criteria & guidelines

Collaboration: K-12 & higher education stakeholders

Consistency: aligned goals of “a-g” & Common Core


History/Social Science (“a”)

Fundamental disciplines:

– World history, cultures, and historical geography

– U.S. history; civics or American government

Goal: historical literacy

Skills: research & inquiry, analysis, communication


History/Social Science (“a”)

Course content:

How & why societies change

Building blocks of different societies

How societies gain & use resources

Defining features of political systems

Impact of the environment on societies


English (“b”)

College-preparatory English composition and literature

Goals: academic competence & critical habits of mind

Skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking


English (“b”)

Course content:

Extensive reading of literary & informational texts

Frequent writing

Practice listening & speaking with different audiences


Mathematics (“c”)


– Elementary algebra

– Advanced algebra

– Two- and three-dimensional geometry

Goals: quantitative competence & critical habits of mind

Skills: quantitative thinking & analysis



Course content:

Hierarchical nature of mathematics showing growth in depth & topic complexity

Mathematical concepts

Applied mathematics



Math validation

– Advanced mathematics courses may validate lower-level courses

– Integrated courses validate earlier integrated courses

– Geometry courses may be validated, not omitted


Laboratory Science (“d”)


– Biology

– Chemistry

– Physics

Goals: scientific habits of mind; practices of science & engineering



Skills: related to understanding the scientific process

Formulating well-posed scientific questions and hypotheses

Designing experiments and/or data collection strategies

Analyzing data

Drawing conclusions



Course content:

Conceptual foundations in core/interdisciplinary science subjects

Empirical basis of the subject matter (i.e., laboratories)

Substantial experimental and/or observational activities


Language Other than English (“e”)

Two years of same foreign language

Goal: cultural & linguistic literacy

– Preparing students for a globalized context

– Expand a student’s worldview

– Introduce students to a diverse mode of thought



Skills:

Language & communication

Culture

21st century skills



Course content:

Emphasis on speaking & understanding

Cultural context

Practice with reading & composition

Instruction on grammar & vocabulary


Visual & Performing Arts (“f”)


– Dance

– Music

– Theater

– Visual Arts



Goals: artistic habits of mind & creative practices

Skills: creative skills & others related to artistic processes

Persisting

Envisioning

Observing

Analyzing

Reflecting

Exploring



Course content:

Participation in all aspects of the artistic process

Conceptual artistic understanding

Theoretical & historical/cultural context

Skills-based content


College-Preparatory Elective (“g”)

Goals: strengthen academic proficiencies; explore subjects possibly leading to a future college major

Skills: critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem-solving

Course content:

Mastery of fundamental knowledge


UC Honors A-G Courses (effective 2015-16)

Major changes to UC-designated “a-g” honors courses only

Changes are effective starting with the 2015-16 academic year

No changes to calculating the UC GPA



No limits on UC-designated honors courses approved for a school’s “a-g” list

School-created, college-preparatory elective (“g”) honors courses eligible for UC honors



UC honors courses must have a non-honors equivalent, but simultaneous offerings not required

Allow 10th grade courses to qualify for UC honors

http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/


UCOP High School Articulation

[email protected] | (510) 987-9570Articulation & Admissions Resources

• A-G Guide: http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/

• A-G Course Management Portal (CMP):

https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcmp

• A-G Course Lists:

https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselists

• UC Admissions: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu

Documents

Basics of A-G Courses. UC ARTICULATION CONFERENCE Overview Purpose of “a-g” subject requirements & course lists Enhancements to “a-g” course criteria