Course Materials
The use of proper course materials during seated instruction of approved courses at your high school is important. Below is information to (1) assist you with understanding why, (2) to communicate how you can check for correct usage, and (3) how to proceed if you need to obtain materials.
Why is this important?
Per the college’s accreditation with Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s (MDHE) policies regarding dual credit, schools offering dual credit follow the partnering college’s course content and standards as well as course materials.
Wording from MDHE and copied from OTC Partnership Agreement with your district:
- J. Course Content & Curriculum Standards
- Course content and course requirements offered in high schools duplicate the identical course offerings delivered on OTC campuses. Dual Credit Instructors ensure each dual credit course has the same level of academic rigor and comparable standards of evaluation as that of its campus-based equivalent. Instructors are expected to follow the course syllabus, assessment activities, and delivery method in a manner which most effectively utilizes the time allotted.
- K. Course Materials
- Course materials are a vital tool in instruction and for maintaining content consistency; therefore, OTC and CBHE require the high schools or students to obtain and utilize the same textbooks as required by the college. Required textbook information may be obtained by accessing the OTC Bookstore website or by contacting the respective department chair. To request an exception, a copy of the proposed textbook and/or materials must be submitted to the department chair for approval.
Wording copied from our accreditation policy:
- 5.0 Program and Curriculum Standards
- 5.1 Dual credit courses, including course content and course requirements, offered in high schools must duplicate the identical course offerings delivered on campus to matriculated students. On-campus college faculty must ensure that each dual credit course has the same level of academic rigor and comparable standards of evaluation as that of its campus-based equivalent.
- 5.2 Institutions must ensure that dual credit assignments and grading criteria are identical to, or are of comparable design, quality, and rigor to the equivalent campus-based course. Elements of the dual credit course to be approved by the on-campus college faculty in the appropriate academic discipline include the syllabus, textbook(s), teaching methodology, and student assessment strategies.
How to ensure use of proper course materials
Follow the directions below via this site: http://otc.verbacompare.com/
- Select “Springfield & Online”
- Select semester (e.g. Fall 2021)
- Then enter your approved course code
- Then select any section on the last drop down
- And Compare Prices to view required materials
- If the course materials lists “auto access”, or if you wish to request approval for use of other course materials, and/or if you do not have a copy of the required course materials for the course(s) you teach, please contact the department chair of the course (see contact information under Approved/Current Instructor Resources below).
How to obtain course materials
See step six above for information on how to obtain a copy for instructor use from the course department chair.
For paper copies, or how to use AutoAccess materials typically used for online classes in your seated class (es), please contact Ashlee Web at webba@otc.edu well before winter or summer break and the next semester begins.
Course materials resources
For more information about Auto Access, including Frequently Asked Questions, review this information provided by our OTC Bookstore.