Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

1. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Dr. Susan Galbreath, CPA Associate ProvostAcademic Administration and Strategic Initiatives and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning TICUA “Drive to 55” Conference November 7, 2013

2. Current Landscape of Higher Ed

3. Current Landscape of Higher Ed

4. PLA Definition A process for evaluating knowledge and skills in order to award college credit for college-level learning gained from like experiences. ~Wertheim, 2012 Faculty Assessors Workbook CAEL

5. Students bring pre-existing college level acquired through out-of-class experiences. PLA Asserts

6. Prior Learning Assessment Examples

7. Prior Learning Assessment Benefits

8. Lipscomb’s Adult Learning Program

9. New PLA Options @ Lipscomb University Maximum of 30 credits can be awarded through prior learning assessment options.

10. Portfolio Assessment A collection of documents, essays, letters, certifications, and sample work products that seek to demonstrate college-level learning completed outside the classroom. Ineligible: Practicums, field study, internships, travel, capstones. There is a $70 transcription fee for “S” graded portfolios.

11. Awards badges that can be transcripted for course credit for Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree

12. Competency Assessment A behavioral-based assessment process relying on more than 35 years of research by Organization Systems International’s (OSI) Polaris competency model. 15 Competencies Assessed in Assessment Center Active Listening Communicativeness* Presentation Skills Prob Solving & Dec Making* Assertiveness Conflict Management Relationship Building* Team Player Change Mastery Influence* Organization & Planning* Composure Initiative Results Orientation Drive & Energy* * Research-based “Big Six” competencies for effective leaders.

13. Lipscomb Badges • Electronic storage and display • Sharable with others

14. Assessment Center Activities • Four Cases to Analyze and Discuss • Individual assessment of case solutions. • Individual assessment in group discussion of case solutions where required to come to a group consensus solution. • In-Box Activity • Individual assessment of efficient and effective work product. • Individual assessment of in-box feedback. • Presentation and Group Discussion • Individual assessment of presentation skills. • Individual assessment in group discussion where required to come to a group consensus solution. • Impromptu Speech • Individual assessment of presentation skills.

15. Competency Assessment Each competency has multiple measurement opportunities during the 8-hour assessment. Assessors rate each competency on a scale of 1 to 5.

16. Competency Assessment Depending on the level of competency achieved, the course credit given by assessment may be for elective credit or for required credit for the major. There is a $170 transcription fee for proficient competencies. Deficient competencies must be reassessed in a future assessment center.

17. CORE Recognition by Lumina Foundation • 1 of only 30 colleges/universities in the country to offer a legitimate competency program • 1 of only 7 colleges/universities in the country actively pursuing direct assessment • Awarding credits outside the traditional credit and seat-hours system • Lipscomb Univ, Southern New Hampshire Univ, BrandmanUniv, Westminster College, Univ of Wisconsin, KY Community and Technical College, and Charter Oak

18. Fast Facts

19. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Dr. Susan Galbreath, CPA Associate ProvostAcademic Administration and Strategic Initiatives and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning TICUA “Drive to 55” Conference November 7, 2013