The provision for course sequence transfer enables students to change course sequences, when necessary, to more appropriate levels of challenge. The possible transfer routes for each program area are given above in Transfer Points and Course Sequences for Senior High School.
Students may transfer from a lower-level sequence to a higher-level sequence. For example, in senior high school social studies, students may transfer from the 10-2, 20-2, 30-2 sequence to the 10-1, 20-1, 30-1 sequence. For specific course sequences, refer to the transfer sequence charts above. Students who transfer from a 10-1, 20-1, 30-1 sequence to a 10-2, 20-2, 30-2 sequence, or from a 10‑2, 20-2, 30-2 sequence to a 10‑4, 20-4 sequence, should transfer into the sequence at the next grade level (e.g., Social Studies 10-1 to Social Studies 20-2). Students will not receive waived credits for the lower-level course in the new sequence. For example, students who successfully complete Social Studies 10‑1 and then transfer to Social Studies 20-2 will not receive credits for Social Studies 10-2.
When a student transfers into a less challenging academic sequence, the principal may admit the student with less than a 50% standing. See Retroactive Credits in the Awarding Course Credits section.
Students who successfully complete the first course in a sequence, and then transfer to another sequence and are waived to the highest level in that sequence, should receive credits for the middle course in the new sequence upon successful completion of the highest level course. For example, students who successfully complete Social Studies 10-1, then successfully complete Social Studies 30-2 should receive waived credits for Social Studies 20‑2 and earned credits for Social Studies 30-2.
Circumstances that should be considered when counselling a student to use the course sequence transfer provision include:
- language proficiency; as the student’s language proficiency increases, a more academic sequence may provide a more appropriate level of challenge
- the school’s ability to schedule the appropriate course route
- the student’s ability and motivation
- criteria for a principal to waive prerequisites
The school authority shall clearly state the criteria to be met by a student who wishes to change course sequences.
Course level transfer in diploma examination courses
To ensure fairness, consistency and equity, school authorities and schools must have procedures in place to govern the assignment of school-awarded marks for students who transfer their diploma course level registration.
Students taking course instruction in diploma examination courses must be registered for their diploma examinations by the dates specified by Alberta Education. Students who choose to transfer from one level to another within a subject (for example, Social Studies 30-1 to Social Studies 30-2) must do so by the dates specified at Administering Diploma Exams. These deadlines have been established so that there is sufficient time for school staff to assess the student’s achievement in the course and adequate time for the student to prepare for the examination. Consultation among the school staff, student and, where applicable, parent or guardian is an important component of the course transfer process.
Students who transfer course level registration in diploma examination courses must receive a final school-awarded mark based on the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the course into which they transfer. The process of evaluation of a student’s achievement in this situation would be very similar to that used to evaluate a student’s achievement through the Course Challenge provision.