The Prior Learning Assessment Model at Valdosta State University

1. The Prior Learning Assessment Model at Valdosta State University Sharon Gravett, Jerry Merwin, Beverley Blake, Mary Ellen Dallman, Barbara Stanley & Sean Lennon Prior Learning Assessment Workshop Callaway Gardens Thursday, April 24, 2008

2. Valdosta State University • One of two Regional Universities in the USG • Serves 41 Counties in South Georgia • 11,000+ Students • 2,000 are age 24 or older

3. PLA Fit with VSU Strategic Goals From Valdosta State University’s Strategic Planning Goals: 5 Goals in 5 Years Enrollment & Retention Assess and implement changes in faculty load, facilities, course offerings & class scheduling to enhance the use of university resources in support of planned growth. Increase number of students seeking certification and licensure renewal. Develop a proposal for programs and program delivery strategies that meet the needs of non-traditional degree seeking students. Financial Support Improve profile in the Valdosta community, by continuing to develop external/community partnerships.

4. PLA Model at VSU • Students and Case Histories • Organizational Strategy and Key Players • Website and PLA Course • Recruitment of Students and Faculty • Unanticipated Directions

5. Students and Case HistoriesJerry Merwin

6. Student Case 1 • Charles (AA Male, Age mid-40s) • Education Major – Undeclared Freshman • Retired from the U.S. Army as noncommissioned officer • Has certificates for training related to human resource functions, leadership • Provided training on Culture – • Islamic Religion & Values • Black History • Women’s Issues • Preparing PLA for Courses • PERS 2160 Perspectives on Leadership • PERS 2690 Multicultural America

7. Student Case 2 • Betty (AA Female, Age late-30s) • Sociology Major – Junior • Administers group cottage & Serves on Treatment Team • Coordinates with Social Services and Public Schools • Has training related to behavior management, working with at-risk and unmanageable children, child abuse and neglect, managing suicidal teens, nonviolent crisis intervention • Preparing PLA for Courses • SOCI 3190 Clinical Sociology • SOCI 4540 Internship in Sociology

8. Organizational Strategy and Key PlayersSheri Gravett • Who we are • What we’ve done • Who we involved and why • How we organized— • Working Group • Supporting Leadership Group

9. Who we are • PLA Working Group established in 2005: • College of Education faculty: • Ada Burnette, Mary Ellen Dallman, Adele Ducharme, Barbara Stanley, and Sean Lennon, Heather Brasell • College of Arts and Sciences faculty: • Beverley Blake, Christine James, Jerry Merwin, and Jim Nienow, Arsalan Wares • Registrar’s Office: Karen Shepard, Associate Registrar • Academic Affairs: Sheri Gravett, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

10. Who we are (continued) • PLA Working Group established in 2005: • University System of Georgia Liaison: • Patricia Paterson,Executive Director Teacher Quality Initiatives, P-16 Initiatives • PLA Consultants: • Morry Fiddler and Catherine Marienau,Professors and Faculty Mentors in the School for New Learning at DePaul University

11. Who we are (continued) • PLA Supporting Leadership Group also established in 2005: • Vice President for Academic Affairs: Louis Levy • Vice President for Student Affairs: Kurt Keppler • Associate Vice President for Strategic Research and Analysis: Marsha Krotseng • Dean of the College of Education: Phil Gunter • Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: Linda Calendrillo • Dean of the Graduate School: Brian Adler • Dean of the College of the Arts: John Gaston • Registrar: Chuck Hudson • Director of Admissions: Walter Peacock • Director of College of Education Advising Center: Maggie Roberts

12. Administrative Implementation of PLA Project at VSU Fall 2005 Summer 2006 Spring 2007 Fall 2007 Spring 2006 Fall 2006 Summer 2007 Spring 2008

13. Faculty Assessors • Rudy Prine (CRJU 4910 and 4900, 4 evaluations) • Cheri Tillman (PERS 2690, 2170, 2730, 2799, 4 evaluations) • Vesta Whisler (ACED 3100, 3400, 2 evaluations) • Mary Willis (ACED 1100, ACED tba, 2 evaluations) • PSYC faculty (PSYC 3900, 1 evaluation)

14. Faculty Assessors • Carl Hand (SOCI 3190, 4540, 2 evaluations) • Chunlei Liu (CS 4345, 0 evaluations) • Zhiguang Xu (CS 4121, 4122 0 evaluations) • Nanci Scheetz (ASL I and II, 6 evaluations) • Linda De la Garza (CHEM 1211, 1212, 0 evaluations) • Gayle Taylor (4 NURS courses, 8 evaluations)

15. Website and PLA CourseJerry Merwin&Beverley Blake

16. PLA 2000 Prior Learning Documentation • Marylhurst University Course Model (30 Years of Prior Learning Assessment http://www.marylhurst.edu/learningassessment/) • Assignments: • Essays on Life Experiences • Resume • Autobiography • Chronology of Learning Activities • Educational Degree Plan • Portfolio Project Proposal • Outline of Documentation • Portfolio Draft • Final Portfolio

17. Recruitment of Students Barbara Stanley & Sean Lennon • Identify student entry points • Admissions office • Registrar’s office • “ABC” Information Evenings – Adults Back to College • Alternative Routes – Teacher Education • Office of Minority Affairs • Oasis Advising Program • Faculty conversations with students 17

18. Recruitment of Students • Publicity in multiple forms & places • Information flyers • Brochures • Letters to prospective students • Speak to small groups of stakeholders • Task force committee members “visit” • Dean’s Council • Executive Committee of each College • Groups of interested faculty 18

19. Progress, Developments & Unanticipated DirectionsMary Ellen Dallman & Jerry Merwin • Pilot Project Summary • Anticipated Credit for Students Currently in PLA 2000 • What’s Next… • Nursing • American Sign Language Interpreting • Criminal Justice

20. Questions?