Cambridge Advanced Exams; course credit. (SB1448)
Introduced By
Sen. George Barker (D-Alexandria)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
✓ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
✓ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Cambridge Advanced Exams; course credit. Requires the governing boards of each public institution of higher education to implement policies regarding the granting of credit for Cambridge Advanced Exams. The bill also clarifies that students should be eligible for credit for International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement examinations, not courses. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Passed
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/21/2011 | Presented and ordered printed 11104190D |
| 01/21/2011 | Referred to Committee on Education and Health |
| 01/25/2011 | Assigned Education sub: Higher Education |
| 02/01/2011 | Impact statement from DPB (SB1448) |
| 02/03/2011 | Reported from Education and Health with amendments (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/04/2011 | Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/07/2011 | Read second time |
| 02/07/2011 | Reading of amendments waived |
| 02/07/2011 | Committee amendments agreed to |
| 02/07/2011 | Engrossed by Senate as amended SB1448E |
| 02/07/2011 | Printed as engrossed 11104190D-E |
| 02/08/2011 | Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/09/2011 | Placed on Calendar |
| 02/09/2011 | Read first time |
| 02/09/2011 | Referred to Committee on Education |
| 02/14/2011 | Reported from Education (16-Y 6-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/15/2011 | Read second time |
| 02/16/2011 | Read third time |
| 02/16/2011 | Passed House (81-Y 16-N) |
| 02/16/2011 | VOTE: PASSAGE (81-Y 16-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/21/2011 | Impact statement from DPB (SB1448E) |
| 02/21/2011 | Impact statement from DPB (SB1448ER) |
| 02/21/2011 | Enrolled |
| 02/21/2011 | Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB1448ER) |
| 02/21/2011 | Signed by Speaker |
| 02/22/2011 | Signed by President |
| 03/25/2011 | G Approved by Governor-Chapter 545 (effective 7/1/11) |
| 03/25/2011 | G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0545) |
Comments
I would offer as a "friendly amendment" to this bill, to also include other national standardized tests, DANTES and CLEP. Every school should allow up to sixty credit hours by examination through these standard exams.
Currently Virginia schools are often vague on what they will accept, and what the course equivalents might be. This leaves the student wondering if it is worth the time and expense to pay, then prepare for and pass such exams, since they are not sure if any course credit will be awarded at the end of the process.
Every school should be required to post a comprehensive guide that shows which exams from Cambridge, DANTES and CLEP will equate to specific courses at the school and that the recommended passing score from those testing agencies will be accepted by the Virginia schools.
By having this information regarding what course can be satisfied by taking which exam, students and families could greatly reduce their college costs, and focus more on the major field of study.
Such a constructive use of standardized exams would strengthen the value of degrees from Virginia colleges.