PLTW College Credit Information
PLTW classes are nationally standardized project-based courses that prepare students for college-level work and culminate with a student assessment, which colleges and universities can use to determine if a student earns college credit. The following are ways in which we see post-secondary institutions articulating with PLTW (some institutions, define these terms differently, so please verify before making assumptions). Be sure to ask the institution if they except PLTW High School Courses before applying.
Course Substitution Credit
PLTW course substitutes for a program course. Treated similar to AP or transfer credit.
Advanced Standing Credit
PLTW course eliminates the need for an elective course; or gives them no course credit, but gives them credit to advance their class standing (i.e. early registration, parking preferences, early financial assistance increase due to reaching junior status quicker).
Partial Course Credit
Grant partial credit for a course, thus reducing the tuition to the student, but not the time.
Bridge Courses
Course designed specifically to fill any gaps between the PLTW courses and related program courses.
Retro-Credit Model
Students that successfully complete a higher level course in a sequence are granted program credit for a prerequisite course.
Test-out or Challenge Exam
Students are allowed to sit for a challenge exam, which upon successful completion will give them credit for the program course.
Students must earn a 80% or better in the course enrolled & a 70% or better on the final exam to earn the right to purchase college credit at excepting post-secondary institutions.