TRANSCRIPTED CREDIT
Higher Learning Commission and Dual Credit Teacher Requirements
The Higher Learning Commission ( HLC ) is NWTC ’ s accreditation body and has imposed new credential requirements for high school dual credit teachers . These credentials will be enforced in September 2023 and require those that teach in the area of General Studies ( Math , Language , Communications , Natural Sciences , Behavioral Sciences , Social Sciences ) to possess a Master ’ s Degree in the content area or a Master ’ s degree plus 18 graduate credits in the content area . NEWERA is a group of post-secondary institutions in Northeast WI that is working on creating course access , affordability and incentives for this credential pursuit .
HLC Frequently Asked Questions
1 . What is the Higher Learning Commission ( HLC )?
The Higher Learning Commission ( HLC ) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States . HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region .
2 . What has NWTC done to abide by HLC requirements ?
Like most post-secondary institutions within the North Central region of the U . S ., we have filed and been granted an extension until September 2023 to meet the dual credit credential requirements .
3 . What is NWTC doing to help teachers gain these heightened credentials ?
NWTC partnered with Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance ( NEWERA ) to :
• create access to coursework / credentials in a variety of modes of instruction
• explore reduced funding costs related to course tuition and / or grant options
• partner with area school districts through work groups to create incentives for teachers to pursue heightened credentials
4 . Who will pay for these heightened course requirements ?
5 . Why is post-secondary accreditation important ?
An HLC peer review of college operations ensures quality programming , which qualifies post-secondary institutions to grant federal financial aid to students and allows potential credit transferability to four-year partners .
6 . Why does HLC accreditation extend to dual ( transcripted ) credit ?
Dual credit ( transcripted credit ) is defined as a duplication of an NWTC course delivered by a secondary teacher that is trained in post-secondary curriculum delivery . Because the transcripted / dual credit course is an extension of NWTC coursework , high school dual credit instructors must meet HLC credential guidelines . For more information , please visit : nwtc . edu / K12HLC
7 . How and why were the high school credential guidelines developed ?
Due to the increase in dual credit offerings throughout the nation , HLC conducted a study of Dual Credit Programming . Dual Credit in U . S . Higher Education : A Study of State Policy and Quality Assurance Practices was conducted in 2012 . This study found quality concerns regarding rigor of coursework taught by high school instructors with secondary faculty credentials and capabilities cited as a critical quality issue . The resolution to the rigor discrepancy was to enforce dual credit teacher credential requirements .
Dual credit instructors are encouraged to work within their District process / policies to gain financial support for course tuition . NEWERA will continue to seek grant and legislative support to help in financing HLC credential requirements .
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