Prior Learning Assessment: Take Their Knowledge
to the Next Degree
Mary Beth Lakin, Associate Director
Center for Lifelong Learning
4th Annual Plus 50 Conference
July 14, 2011
Session Agenda
• What is ACE?
• What is prior learning assessment (PLA)?
• What does the research tell us?
• How are higher ed institutions applying PLA?
Discussion Thread
Does your college apply any of the prior learning assessment methods?
How could you incorporate prior learning assessment in your Plus 50 program?
How might prior learning assessment attract, retain, and benefit your program participants?
ACE: Overview
Founded in 1918, the American Council on Education (ACE), is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600
college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide.
It provides leadership on key higher education issues and influences public policy through
advocacy.
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Prior Learning
Prior learning is learning gained outside the college classroom.
Prior learning occurs in a variety of settings and through different means, from independent study and community service to workforce and military
training and experience.
Prior learning may be equivalent to college-level skills and knowledge and warrant academic credit.
Prior Learning Assessment
Many colleges evaluate for academic credit the college-level knowledge and skills an individual has gained outside of the
classroom, including employment, military training/service, travel, hobbies, civic
activities and volunteer service.
PLA awards credit for learning, not credit for experience.
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Multiple Assessment Methods
• Formal evaluation of workplace training
• Formal evaluation of military occupations and training
• Nationally recognized certifications developed to meet industry/professional standards
• Challenge exams offered by colleges
• Portfolio development to demonstrate course knowledge or competencies
• Blended assessment methods
ACE Center for Lifelong Learning
• Program Evaluations– Military Programs– Corporate Programs (ACE CREDIT)
• Program Evaluation Activities– Evaluate formal courses and occupational specialties– Publish course and occupation descriptions and academic
credit recommendations– Provide transcript and registry services
ACE’s Military Evaluation Program• MEP provides institutions with basis for recognizing
military educational experiences in terms of civilian academic credit.
• Since the early 1940s, MEP has reviewed & made credit recommendations for thousands of college-level courses offered by the military services.
• In 1974 MEP began evaluation of military occupational specialties.
ACE College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT)
began in mid-1970s.
Review process for participating organizations uses standards and procedures
established through Military Evaluation Program.
Corporations
Government
Foreign Service Institute Federal Bureau of Prisons Immigration and Naturalization Service U.S. Marshals Service
ACE Transcript Services
ACE CREDIT Registry and Transcript Systemhttp://www.acenet.edu/transcripts
Application of PLA can. . .
Increase number of credentials
earned
Broaden pathways to credentials
Reach out to underserved populations
Accelerate time to
completion
Inspire the Reluctant
Opportunity to earn credit for prior learning is 1 oftop motivators for adults with some college but no degree.
The demand is there
2010 study of 88 community colleges:
46% indicated greater use of PLA at their institution if they could evaluate technical
training & map to courses.
72% said they thought there would be increased demand for PLA options in the future.
http://www.cael.org/pdf/PLA_CommunityColleges.pdf
So are the challenges
• Institutional Buy-in • Allocation of Time & Resources• Professional Development• Templates for Policy & Practice • Articulation & Transfer• Financing Assessment: Learners & Evaluators• Learner Expectations
Fueling the Race To Postsecondary Success
2010 report of 48-institution study of PLA & outcomes for 62,475 learners age 25 &
older
Increased graduation rates, greater persistence, & shorter time to degree regardless of institutional type & size
http://www.cael.org/pdf/PLA_Fueling-the-Race.pdf
Policy and Practice Matter
• College-level knowledge & competencies can be demonstrated and validated through multiple options.
• Adults bring range of learning experiences and require range of methods.
• With more options comes increased likelihood for greater numbers of learners to complete credentials.
• More flexibility translates to better academic outcomes.
Employer Perspectives
• Corporate Voices for Working Families: Promotes PLA & educational partnerships as leading edge practices
• Department of Defense: Identified millions of dollars in tuition savings with application of ACE credit
• Delta Study: Found company & employees saved dollars & time to degree
At the institutional level• Ivy Tech Community College:
Certification Crosswalkhttp://www.ivytech.edu/prior-learning/CertcrosswalkDecember2010.pdf
• Excelsior College: Degree Maps for McDonald’s training programshttp://www.excelsior.edu/corporate-partners/mcdonalds/degree-maps
• Coastline Community College: A.S., Health Care Managementhttps://www.goarmyed.com/docs/degrees/CCC_AA-HST.pdf
• NJ PLACE at Rutgers University: Pathways Leading Apprentices to a College Education http://www.njplace.com/
• Minnesota Colleges and Universities: System Wide Policies for PLA Options http://www.inverhills.edu/ProgramsAndMajors/ASAP/PLA.aspx https://www.metrostate.edu/msweb/explore/cls/priors/steps.html
• Wisconsin Prior Learning Assessment Expansion: http://www.adultcollegecompletion.org/content/wisconsin-prior-learning-assessment-expansion
At the state level
• Maps to Credentials: Creating an Integrated Prior Learning Assessment Model
• Virtual Career Network (VCN): Providing PLA tools & resources in healthcare
• Troops to Energy Jobs: Center for Energy Workforce Development
• Learning Counts: Virtual PLA Service http://www.learningcounts.org
At the national level
Mapping PLA Credits to Credentials
• Guide learner to degree completion.
• Chart prior learning credits to specific courses.
• Include all aspects of degree requirements.
• Provide assessment options for new learning.
• Adapt for programs & populations.
Example: Minnesota State Colleges & Universities SystemVeterans’ Course Mappings: http://www.students.mnscu.edu/military/vets/identifyMilitaryExp.php
ACE CREDIT College & University Network
• Recognition of ACE Credit Recommendations
• Advocacy & Articulation
• Development of Employer Partnerships
• Creation of Maps to Credentials
• Website Profiles
http://www.acenet.edu/credit/network
Questions for Plus50 Learners: Take Their Prior Learning To the Next Degree
• Are you a military veteran? Have you requested a copy of your military transcript?
• Have you completed formal workplace training? • Do you have any professional certifications? • Have you successfully completed national
examinations such as CLEP or DANTES?• Do you have other work or community experiences
that might translate to college-level credit?
Discussion Thread
Does your college apply any of the prior learning assessment methods?
How could you incorporate prior learning assessment in your Plus 50 program?
How might prior learning assessment attract, retain, and benefit your program participants?