Student Recognition and College Credit FAQ

frequently asked questions for student recognition

What is the Exemplary Student Recognition Program?
The Exemplary Student Recognition Program provides an opportunity for students in a PLTW certified high school who have excelled in selected PLTW courses to receive college credits and/or recognition from PLTW affiliate colleges and universities.

Where may we find a list of affiliate colleges and universities?

Visit the PLTW homepage, click on Colleges/Universities, and PLTW Affiliates. You may also see a summary of all of the affiliates by clicking on Recognition and College Credit for PLTW Students.

Fast Facts For:

General FAQ

Schools

Counselors

Parents & Students

Colleges & Universities

Teachers

End Of Course Exams

Recognition and College Credit for PLTW Students.

	What PLTW courses are presently eligible for college credits or recognition? Because of various admissions policies, it would be best to review the summary (Recognition and College Credit for PLTW Students) of all affiliates to learn which courses are eligible. Rochester Institute of Technology and Purdue University, for example, grant college credit for all PLTW courses, except Engineering Design and Development. DeVry University grants credits for several courses and waives a proficiency test and course tuition for specific college courses. Students in Pennsylvania may apply for Penn State college credit for IED, POE and DE. San Diego State University grants a total of three SDSU College of Engineering credits for any of the PLTW courses.
	What must a student do in order to be recognized? Although there is some variation, most affiliates require a student in a certified high school or technical school to have a “B” average in the course, have a complete portfolio which meets all requirements of the curriculum, have a passing average (70% or higher) on the college credit examination, and to have paid a reduced tuition.
	What is a certified high school? A Certified School is a high school or technical school which meets PLTW’s standards and has gone through the certification process. Students from Provisionally Certified Schools are also eligible to participate in the Exemplary Student Recognition Program.
	May a student who has taken Introduction to Engineering Design, Digital Electronics, Principles of Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Computer Integrated Manufacturing in a school which has not yet been certified receive credit now? Schools must first be certified before students may become eligible to receive credit and to take the college credit examination for each course.
	Does it make a difference if the student has taken DE before IED to be eligible for transcripted credit? No.
	What is the cost for receiving credit for each qualifying course? It depends on the affiliate. It would be best to review Recognition and College Credit for PLTW Students for a college you are interested in attending.
	What is transcripted credit? Transcripted credit is credit which appears on a college transcript. In other words, the credit is awarded to a high school student who has taken a college course in high school. Some affiliates do not grant transcripted college credit but recognize the PLTW course in an engineering program.
	When and how will the college credit examinations be given? Each high school will administer the tests in January (block scheduled program) or May/June (traditional school year program). There are two parts of the examination: Part A and Part C. Together, the test lasts 90 minutes.
	What procedures will schools follow to obtain the college credit examinations? Procedures vary. Students are invited to go to the Affiliate page on the PLTW website, review the information there, and, if necessary, click on the affiliate’s website link, located at the bottom of that page.
	What score must a student receive on these tests to be eligible for credit? Because a student is taking a college course and test while in high school, the passing score is "C" (70%) or higher. Student grades are determined by their scores on the exam: 90 or better (A), 80 or better (B), 70 or better (C).
	If a student goes to a particular affiliate college or university, how will the credit for PLTW courses be counted in an engineering or engineering technology program there? The use of these credits or courses in any university degree program will depend on the policies and degree requirements of that program regarding transfer of credit which satisfy graduation requirements. It is best to check with the affiliate college or university. New Hampshire Technical Institute, for example, allows students to earn elective college credits for selected PLTW courses under the Running Start program. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Weber State University vary the number of credits, depending on the PLTW course. The University of South Carolina applies credit for Digital Electronics, for example, for a specific college course. Duke University will work with the national College Board to establish Advanced Placement credit for PLTW courses taught in North Carolina. Seattle Community Colleges have agreements with schools districts which allow students who are taking eligible PLTW courses in high school to make application for Tech Prep credit with the district colleges. IED, DE and CIM courses qualify as Advanced Technical Credit State-wide Articulated courses at the University of Houston. The University of Maryland – Baltimore County grants college credit for one of its courses for PLTW’s Engineering Design and Development. The University of New Haven grants three college credits for eligible PLTW courses. The University of South Florida allows students to waive a maximum total of one to four non-transcript credit hours towards the students’ required number of program course credit hours, if enrolled in specific programs.
	May a student take the college credit examination for transcripted credit if s/he has received less than 85% in the course or has not completed the portfolio? No
	How does a student participate in this program? As an example, let us use procedures for students interested in Rochester Institute of Technology. Students who meet the class average and portfolio requirements should tell their PLTW instructors that they are interested, should visit the Affiliate’s webpage for specific information, and should review Questions/Answers on the PLTW website ("Exemplary Student Recognition Program”). The high school will administer the exam in January and May/June, will provide registration forms to students who have an 85% average in the course and who received a "C" (70%) or better on the exam, and will notify Rochester Institute with the names and grades of eligible students. Students who are interested in receiving college credit will send in the registration form and a tuition charge of $200 for each course. RIT will send students a report card and information on how to obtain an official transcript from the Registrar at RIT.
	Will other colleges/universities accept RIT transcripted credit for IED, DE, POE, CEA and CIM? Each college establishes its own policies. Depending on program requirements, a college may accept some or all of the RIT transcripted college credit. PLTW encourages the following: (1) consider PLTW National Affiliates or colleges which offer incentives/ scholarships specifically to students in PLTW courses, such as, Clarkson University; (2) ask the admissions department of other colleges/universities if they accept RIT transcripted college credit. The key points to remember are: (1) IED, DE, POE, and CIM parallel the same courses at some institutions; (2) the tests that PLTW students take to earn college credit were designed by college professors and meet quality standards; (3) an increasing number of colleges and universities are becoming National Affiliates of PLTW, which indicates their commitment to the quality standards of our program.
	10/04