An Overview of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

1. An Overview of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) October 24, 2012

2. Let’s Get Started • What class that you took in college was most helpful to you in doing your current job? • What learning that you gained from outside the classroom has been important in doing your current job?

3. About CAEL • The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning • A 501(c)3 non-profit organization • 37 years of lifelong learning and workforce development experience • Nationally recognized as the expert in Prior Learning Assessment • “The CAEL Standards” www.cael.org Meaningful learning, credentials and work for every adult

4. When Will We Learn?

5. Learningcounts.org What is PLA? Prior Learning Assessment is a process for evaluating knowledge and skills in order to award college credit for learning from:

6. CAEL Research and PLA • 48-institution study of PLA and academic outcomes (funded by Lumina Foundation) • 62,475 total adult students in sample (adult = age 25 or older) • PLA increases graduation rates and persistence; decreases time to degree completion Fueling the Race to Postsecondary Success, March 2010

7. CAEL Research on PLA PLA Increases Graduation Rates Fueling the Race to Postsecondary Success, March 2010

8. For example An adult student who earns 15 credits from PLA applied to a degree saves $1605 to $6,000 on tuition costs.

9. PLA takes many forms College Credit

10. What is a Portfolio? A formal written, visual, or spoken communication describing, illustrating, and documenting college-level learning– and requesting college credit.

11. Where Do You Fit In? • Identify Appropriate PLA Candidates • Assess for ITA support • Explain the benefits and process of PLA to clients

12. Identifying PLA Potential • First, list any and all of the following: • Full or part-time jobs • Independent reading and study • Training programs or in-service courses completed • Volunteer work • Cultural and artistic pursuits • Hobbies and recreational pastimes • Community or religious activities • Military service • Travel study • Organizational memberships

13. Identifying PLA Potential • Next, ask about the types of college subjects and content areas that match your prior learning. • Then ask yourself: • Is my knowledge equivalent to a college-level course?

14. Next Steps • If yes, explain the benefits of PLA to clients • Task your client with talking with the appropriate college or the LearningCounts.org advisor • If PLA options are available, issue an ITA voucher when appropriate

15. A “system” approach • Tennessee • Indiana • Pennsylvania • Washington • Colorado • Oregon • Vermont • Minnesota

16. How Does it Work in Minnesota? The schools: The scoop: What’s your policy?\ Methods of PLA accepted What do you need from students? What do they need to know from you? Success stories? Cautionary tales? • Rochester Community and Technical College • Riverland Community College • Winona State University

17. Exercise What learning do you bring?

18. www.learningcounts.org

19. Using LearningCounts.org • Returning Students have the opportunity to review options with a PLA expert • Portfolio Credit Assessment – an online process to demonstrate learning by creating a portfolio and having it reviewed for college credit • Testing – students can take a test to demonstrate learning outcomes in a particular subject • ACE CREDIT – evaluates training offered by the military, employers, government agencies, and professional associations

20. Using LearningCounts.org 2A. Enroll in CAEL 100: Prior Learning Assessment Theory and Practice • A six-week, faculty-led, online course (3 credits, evaluated and recommended by ACE CREDIT). • Course will teach students how to document their college level learning and lead them through the development of their portfolio. • Courses start every few weeks. • $500 cost for course

21. Using LearningCounts.org OR 2B. Enroll in D-Y-P: Design Your Portfolio • Self-paced online course • Six months to complete • Learn how to document your college level learning and develop a comprehensive portfolio for evaluation for college credit • $129 cost for course

22. Using LearningCounts.org 3. Create and Submit Portfolios • Each portfolio may be reviewed for up to 12 credits in any one discipline. Students can submit multiple portfolios. • Faculty from colleges and universities from across the country will evaluate portfolios and make credit recommendations. • Portfolio review cost: $250 per 12 credits

23. Using LearningCounts.org 4. Transcription of Credit • ACE will transcript course and portfolio credit recommendations made by expert faculty. • You can take your transcript to any number of institutions for direct transfer of credit. • ACE CREDIT transcripts are routinely accepted by over 2,000 colleges and universities.

24. Coming Soon! • PLA Wizard on LearningCounts.org

25. Everyone wins with PLA The principle: Only pay once for college level learning • Worker: Saves time • Employers: Increases pool of trained and educated workers • Regional Economy: Shorter time to a prepared workforce • Workforce System: Saves time AND money Bottom line: It’s worth it!

26. Discussion • After learning about PLA, how can you see it benefitting your clients? • Dislocated workers • Veterans • Mature adults • Volunteers

27. Wrap up • What did you learn today? • What are you going to do next? • What do you still need to know?