The PLTW experience develops motivated, well-rounded students by instilling confidence, stressing the importance of self-discovery, encouraging innovative problem solving and critical thinking, teaching team building, and rewarding creativity. The program is fun and students gain a critical opportunity to put their skills to work in every class. 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. In order to be eligible for college credit, students must attend a certified PLTW school, earn a satisfactory grade in the respective PLTW course, and pass a college level final examination. Once eligible for credit, students would then apply for transcript credit (approximately $200-$300) through a PLTW regional college or university. The University of New Haven, for example, is the local affiliated University for the PLTW Engineering program. This credit is official transcript credit through the college or university. It is important to understand that colleges and universities, both PLTW affiliated and non-affiliated, can accept the transcript credit in multiple ways. The following are ways in which post-secondary institutions that are articulated with PLTW:

• 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 who 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.

*To view the official list of affiliated universities please visit www.pltw.org.