Site visits and course assessments
The State of Oregon created Dual Credit Standards to ensure high-quality, consistent instruction across college-level courses offered in high schools. Observations are a requirement, and are necessary to be in compliance with the Oregon Dual Credit Standards. During a site visit, the PCC Faculty Liaison will observe course instruction and review the course syllabus to ensure the high school course matches (or exceeds) the rigor, teaching methods, and outcomes of the college course.
These visits are essential for maintaining program quality and building strong, collaborative relationships between high school and college faculty.听
Observations
When to do a site visit
- Courses that are approved through a 1-year initial PCC Dual Credit articulation agreement must be assessed during that academic year.
- Courses that are approved through a 3-year renewal articulation agreement are assessed at least once during the three-year term of the agreement.
Before
Before the observation
- Refer to the annually updated PCC Dual Credit Dean鈥檚 Report to determine what observations are due soon
- Work with the High School Dual Credit Faculty to determine a convenient time to complete the course observation. The observation should be done during regular class time.听
During
During the observation
- Observe the course with the following questions in mind:聽
- How well does the High School Dual Credit course align with PCC鈥檚 Course Content and Outcomes Guide for that course (CCOG)?聽
- Does the High School Dual Credit course reflect the pedagogical, theoretical and philosophical orientation of PCC and sponsoring academic departments?
After
After the observation
- Complete the with constructive feedback, course recommendations, kudos, etc.听
- Submit the observation form, log your observation on your Record of Work worksheet, and submit your time/mileage in Workday. Further instructions can be found in the .听
Things to keep in mind
High school and college combined
While our high school faculty teaching Dual Credit courses operate under the same set of standards as college faculty, high school faculty often teach additional subject content to meet the high school curriculum requirements. PCC Faculty Liaisons should be willing to help high school faculty accommodate both curricula while at the same time assuring that the college curriculum is covered in full.
High school schedules
High school schedules are very different from college schedules and vary from school to school. Classes will sometimes be cut short for assemblies and other activities. Some schools have A days and B days, others Red and White days, others distinguish days by period number, etc. When a high school faculty says a Dual Credit class is held on A days, or Red days, or period 6, it is important to contact the high school faculty beforehand to make sure it is not an assembly day or a day on which school is dismissed early.
Prep or Consultation Periods
Most high school faculty have two or more 鈥減rep鈥 or 鈥渃onsultation鈥 periods per week during which they can plan lessons, grade, research, or work on other projects. These prep periods are an excellent time, if visits are scheduled in advance, to meet one-on-one with high school faculty without distractions.
Visiting High Schools
It is important when you visit a high school to wear your PCC ID badge and to check in at the main office, where you will be asked to sign in. Many high schools require a visitor鈥檚 pass, which you can pick up at the main office with your Driver’s License. Most high schools have visitor parking. If the visitor parking is full you can park in student or faculty parking, but be sure to mention this at the main office so that you are not ticketed.