Articulation Agreement
For
High School for College Credit
Between
Montana State University Billings and Billings Public Schools Career Center
This agreement is entered into as of __________________________ by and between Montana
State University Billings and Billings Public Schools Career Center. This agreement sets out the
terms and conditions of articulation of High School for College Credit between the two
institutions as required by the High School for College Credit Guidelines of the Montana
University System.
1. Purpose. The purpose of this articulation agreement is to provide a basis for a
cooperative effort between the aforementioned institutions to benefit committed high
school students who wish to earn high school for college credit. This document will
serve as evidence of a formal agreement between the two parties to offer college credit
for high school course work within the construction pathway that together, meet the
competencies and skills listed in attachment A. The competencies and skills are aligned
with the following college course:
CSTN 100 Fundamentals of Construction 3 credits
2. Student Academic Standards. In order to meet eligibility to receive 3 articulated credits,
the student must:
Demonstrate proficiency in course outcomes by completing the NOCTI
Fundamentals of Construction (Test Code 0177 Version 01) multiple-choice
assessment with a minimum score of 61% and the NOCTI Performance
assessment with a minimum score of 92%
3. High school responsibilities for testing:
The high school will designate a NOCTI site coordinator. The site coordinator is
responsible for the following:
 Register the high school with NOCTI
 Review the NOCTI Blueprint with the high school construction teachers
 Create a list of high school students who will take the assessment, and place
orders for the NOCTI assessments for those students
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Arrange for students to take written assessment at the high school including
test monitors in accordance with NOCTI guidelines. The assessments are online requiring computer stations for all test takers
Obtain student written scores from NOCTI.
Register students passing the written with one of the three colleges offering
the performance assessment (City College Montana State University Billings,
Helena College, and Great Falls College).
Obtain student performance scores from NOCTI.
Inform students of their assessment scores.
Prepare certificate of proof for each student passing both written and
performance assessment, distribute copy to student and keep one copy in
high school records.
4. College responsibilities for testing:
 The college will designate a performance test coordinator.
 The test coordinator schedules the NOCTI performance test, coordinating
dates and times with other Montana colleges offering the performance
assessment.
 The test coordinator arranges for performance test evaluators in
conformance with NOCTI performance test guidelines.
 The test coordinator enters all test results into the NOCTI database.
5. Transcripting Credit. In order to receive the articulated credits the student must:
a. Apply for admission to Montana State University Billings within 24 months of
High School Graduation and meet established admission requirements.
b. Submit a written request to Montana State University Billings College to
transcript the credit.
c. Submit proof of passing scores for both the written and performance assessment
(available from the high school NOCTI Site Coordinator) along with the written
request.
d. Credit will be recorded on the college transcript as articulated credit but will not
be calculated in determining GPA.
6. Administrative Process
a. A copy of this executed agreement will be forwarded to OCHE’s Two-Year and
Community College Education Division at perkinscoordinator@montana.edu.
7. Tuition & Fees. Because the courses involved are at the high school level, the student
pays no tuition. However, following fees may apply:
a. Transcription – If there is a fee to transcript the student’s credit, the college will
notify the high school NOCTI site administrator and this information will be
passed on to the student.
b. NOCTI charges a fee to take the written and performance assessments. The high
school will pay these assessments. However, they may require the student to
reimburse the high school or pay in advance.
8. Effective Date, Amendments, & Termination.
a. The conditions of this agreement and specific course competencies are subject
to review on an annual basis. This agreement shall continue as modified through
the annual review unless terminated or amended by either party by way of a
written notice at any time.
b. Each institution will inform the other in writing of any institutional plans or
changes that have impact on the contents of this articulation agreement prior to
implementing those plans or changes.
c. Written notice of intent to terminate or withdraw from this articulation
agreement will be submitted by the academic head of either institution not less
than one calendar year prior to the proposed date of termination/withdrawal.
9. Compliance with law. All parties to this agreement shall at all times comply with all
applicable local, state, and federal law.
10. Signatures
_______________________________
High School Instructor, Date
_______________________________
High School Principal/Superintendent, Date
_______________________________
College/University Department Chair, Date
_______________________________
College/University Dean/CEO, Date
Attachment A
Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:
Foundations of Safety
 Demonstrate understanding of the role that safety plays in the construction industry
 Demonstrate understanding of the idea of a safety culture and its importance in construction
 Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of jobsite safety
Jobsite Safety and Safety Regulations
 Demonstrate understanding of the role of OSHA in jobsite safety
 Demonstrate knowledge on-the-jobsite safety, basic first aid, fire prevention, proper lifting
 Demonstrate understanding of appropriate safety precautions to take around common jobsite
hazards
 Demonstrate understanding of safe behavior on and around ladders and scaffolds
 Define safe work procedures to use around electrical hazards
Personal Protective Equipment
 Demonstrate the use and care of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
 Exhibit knowledge of how to properly don and remove personal protective equipment (safety
goggles)
Hazard Analysis
 Identify causes of accidents and the impact of accident costs
 Define hazard recognition and risk assessment techniques
 Identify struck-by hazards and demonstrate safe working procedures and requirements
 Identify caught-in-between hazards and demonstrate safe working procedures and
requirements
 Identify other construction hazards on the job site, including hazardous material exposure
 Identify construction site hazards dealing with work around cranes, loaders, excavation
equipment
Hand Tools
 Demonstrate understanding of how to visually inspect hand tools to determine if they are safe
to use
 Exhibit understanding of the basic procedures for taking care of hand tools
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of hammers (e.g., claw, ball-pein, sledge)
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of ripping bars and nail pullers
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of chisels and punches
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of screwdrivers (e.g., Phillips, spade, slotted)
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of wire cutters and pliers (e.g., crimping/lineman's,
locking)
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of wrenches (e.g., combination, crescent)
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Demonstrate understanding of the use of sockets and ratchets
Demonstrate understanding of the use of levels (e.g., torpedo, 2-foot) and squares (e.g.,
rafter)
Demonstrate understanding of the use of rules and measuring tools (e.g., tape, laser)
Demonstrate understanding of the use of plumb bob and chalk lines
Demonstrate understanding of the use of utility knives, jab saw, coping saw (dull vs. sharp)
Power Tools
 Identify the general safety rules for operating all power tools, regardless of type
 Identify the general safety rules for properly maintaining all power tools, regardless of type
 Identify, exhibit understanding of, and use stationary power tools in a safe and appropriate
manner
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of drills (e.g., power, cordless, hammer, and impact
wrenches)
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of saws (e.g., table, miter, compound, slide, chop,
circular)
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of grinders (e.g., angle) and sanders (belt, palm, and
orbital)
 Demonstrate understanding of the use of pneumatically-powered nail guns