Faculty at each institution own the curriculum in their respective areas, so only faculty members from Network member institutions are equipped to identify the learning experiences that make up their institution’s Passport Block.
The role of faculty has been central to the development of Interstate Passport®. By gathering faculty together from multiple institutions and states for conversations about student learning, much common ground about objectives and outcomes across disciplines and between institutions became obvious. Only faculty have the experience and expertise to determine what learning outcomes should result from general education, and only faculty can identify the assignments and learning experiences that make up the proficiency criteria. In the same vein, faculty at each institution own the curriculum in their respective areas, so only faculty members from Network member institutions are equipped to identify the learning experiences that make up their institution’s Passport Block. These may be courses as well as other learning experiences. In each of the Interstate Passport’s nine knowledge and skill areas, the relevant learning may be restricted to only one particular course; in others, to more than one course, or several alternative courses or combinations of courses.
The Passport Block is constructed by faculty compiling learning opportunities that align with the Passport Learning Outcomes (PLOs) just as they would compile the learning opportunities that constitute the institution’s general education program, academic minor, academic major or any other program at the institution. The essential consideration is that the total of the learning experiences in the Passport Block must address all of the PLOs in the nine knowledge/skills areas. As members of the Passport Network, institutions agree not to unpack other institutions’ Passport Blocks, and Passport transfer students are not required to repeat or add any learning to complete the lower-division general education requirements in the Interstate Passport’s nine areas at the receiving institution. To see member institution’s Passport Blocks, click here.
Interstate Passport® offers two handbooks for faculty members, one that describes the process that was undertaken for creating the Passport Learning Outcomes and Proficiency Criteria, and one that describes the process for constructing your own institution’s Passport Block.
This handbook is designed for faculty members at new and prospective Interstate Passport institutions. It describes the process for constructing your institution’s Passport Block, provides detailed provides steps to follow, and includes examples of current Passport Blocks and a sample worksheet. Links are provided to a Glossary of Terms, and to the matrices of all nine Passport knowledge and skill areas with Features, Passport Learning Outcomes, and Proficiency Criteria.
Download Faculty Handbook: Constructing Your Institution’s Passport Block (March 2017 Edition)
Download Excel Worksheets and a summary worksheet for all Passport knowledge and skill areas.
Download PLO Mapping Worksheet
Faculty from institutions across seven states developed the Passport Learning Outcomes and Proficiency Criteria in nine knowledge and skill areas. This handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to the process and to the overall program. It describes the specific role and tasks of faculty, and includes descriptions of the nine Passport knowledge and skill areas. The handbook also provides information about the academic progress tracking process, application process, and the Passport Review Board.
Interstate Passport
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
3035 Center Green Drive, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80301-2204
Telephone 303.541.0307
Email: interstatepassport@wiche.edu