To this end, several sites require evidence of skills as a condition of credit award. In Salem , for example, all students must pass a competency assessment to earn college credit. Expanding articulation beyond the traditional high school-community college arrangement might encourage students to attend community colleges. Agreements that make it possible for students to apply their articulated credits at the community college and later at a university can reassure parents and students that pursuing a community college degree does not limit the option to pursue a four-year degree. This strategy can expand students' postsecondary options and encourage them to begin postsecondary work with advanced technical training at a community college, rather than entering a four-year liberal arts program without a clear occupational objective.
Agreements are also possible under which credit can be earned at multiple community colleges.
Such arrangements allow students greater flexibility in choosing postsecondary institutions, without jeopardizing credits. This strategy may be particularly useful in large metropolitan areas with several community colleges in close proximity. A few states are beginning to consider statewide articulation agreements for this purpose. Finally, broadening articulation to include academic courses could result in greater emphasis on raising academic standards and encourage students to be as concerned about performance in academic classes as in vocational classes. This approach could have two variants.