The curriculum/teacher approval procedure is the first step in the quality control process instituted by the University at Albany to insure the integrity of courses offered through the University in the High School Program. Other components of this process include visits to high school classes by University faculty and workshops on campus for high school teachers in a variety of academic disciplines.

Voluntary Adjunct Faculty Status

High school teachers must have degree requirements and teaching experience sufficient to qualify them as voluntary adjunct faculty. Teachers meeting the requirements for employment within respective University departments are subsequently appointed voluntary adjunct faculty of the University at Albany. All new UHS teachers must submit a Personnel Data Form to confirm their appointment as voluntary adjunct faculty of the University at Albany. All returning UHS teachers must verify/submit changes to their Personnel Data Form each year.

Curriculum Materials

Syllabus - Consistent with University at Albany and SUNY System Administration guidelines on credit courses in high schools, all UHS instructors are required to have a current syllabus on file with the UHS Office. Updates to syllabi should be sent to the UHS Program Office for approval before implementation. A syllabus should be given to each student at the beginning of each session so he/she is aware of University course and teacher requirements. Syllabus requirements can be found by clicking here.

Textbooks – A textbook may be required and must be approved by the UHS Office as part of the approval process. The UHS Office reserves the right to request a change in textbook at any time consistent with department regulations at the University at Albany.

Course Materials - Consistent with University at Albany and SUNY System Administration guidelines on credit courses in high schools, all UHS instructors are required to have written materials used in the instruction of UHS courses on file with the UHS Office (e.g., sample exams, sample assignments, etc.). The UHS Office reserves the right to request, at any given time, written materials used in the instruction of UHS courses (e.g., graded student work, etc.).

Sample Materials – The UHS Office maintains sample curriculum materials used on campus and by participating UHS teachers. These materials are available on the UHS website by clicking on “Dept. Specific Sites”. These documents are password-protected. Please contact the UHS Office for the appropriate password.

SUNY General Education Program/Assessment - The goal of the General Education curricula is to utilize common, system-wide learning objectives that will provide students with a foundation that both prepares them for continued work within their chosen fields and gives them the intellectual habits that will enable them to become lifelong learners. Courses within the program are designed not only to enhance students’ knowledge, but to provide them, as well, with new ways of thinking and with the ability to engage in critical analysis and creative activity. To see if a course falls within a General Education Category click here and follow the instructions to search for the course by subject and catalog number.

General Education Categories are assessed on a rotating basis under the UAlbany General Education Assessment Plan.  The assessment of General Education courses (both on campus and UHS courses) is a SUNY system mandate. The purpose is to provide information about how the General Education Program is working, and to enable the campus to document the extent to which students are meeting learning objectives. UHS will announce assessments in the first month of each session. If a course falls within a category being assessed, the instructor will be sent all necessary instructions at that time.

Teacher Changes

In order to preserve the quality and integrity of the credit offered through the University at Albany, any substitutions or changes in approved teachers (resulting in an absence of more than two weeks) at any point in the session MUST be brought to the attention of the UHS Program Office immediately (even if it involves an approved UHS instructor) . The resume and undergraduate/graduate transcript(s) of all new teachers must be sent to the UHS Office and approved by the UHS Program before students can receive credit for the particular course in question. The UHS Program, in conjunction with the relevant department on campus, reserves the right to cancel any course(s) due to lack of notification, disapproval of the proposed instructor or unacceptable changes in teacher/course curricula.

Teacher/Student Classroom Visits

To ensure the quality and integrity of the credit offered in each UHS participating high school, UHS liaisons visit high school classrooms to monitor the academic standards set forth by the University and the respective academic departments. Faculty liaisons make visits to new high school classes and teachers in the first year and to existing classes and teachers at least every three years. UHS liaisons will contact teachers prior to their intended visit to arrange a mutually agreeable day/time.

UHS liaisons can also serve as a link to the respective departments within the University and UHS teachers are encouraged to utilize UHS liaisons as a resource anytime throughout the academic year. Please e-mail the UHS Office at uhs@albany.edu for liaison contact information.

Teacher/Course Evaluations

In an effort to preserve the quality and integrity of the credit offered through the University at Albany, all UHS teachers will be evaluated by the appropriate liaison using a standard evaluation adapted from “Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching,” by Charlotte Danielson. This evaluation form and its domains are available by clicking on "Teacher’s Corner" on the UHS website. This document is password-protected. Please contact the UHS Office for the appropriate password. UHS reserves the right to cancel any course that is not taught in a manner consistent with departmental regulations at the University at Albany.

Additionally, the UHS Program reserves the right to request at any given time, written materials used in the instruction of UHS courses (e.g., sample exams, sample assignments, graded student work, etc.).

The UHS Program utilizes a standard course evaluation form currently in use for on-campus courses called Student Information Rating Form (SIRF). This application is web-based for UHS students to evaluate their UHS instructor and course. Teachers/students are sent instructions relative to the appropriate time to submit an evaluation. Survey results are available to teachers upon request from the UHS Office. This evaluation is intended for use by the UHS Office and will be provided only to the UHS teacher.

The UHS Program reserves the right to cancel any course(s) that is not taught in a manner consistent with departmental regulations at the University at Albany.

Updates to page performed July 31, 2009 1:10 PM