Credit for Prior Learning: Moving from Piecemeal Approach to a Systems Model Mary Beth Lakin, ACE Mary Ellen Dallman, USG ALC Wilson Finch, THEC Tim McGowan, UW System
WHAT S IN A NAME?
LOST IN TRANSLATION
ACE 2012 Survey Found Learner confusion about options, processes and points of contact. Need for more easily accessible policies & practices. Lack of awareness resulted in low demand and perception of low need. Information sharing gaps across employers, colleges, and students. Credit for Prior Learning: from the student, campus, and industry perspectives http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/documents/credit-for- Prior-Learning-Issue-Brief.pdf
NEW SOURCES FOR LEARNING
TOOLS FOR NAVIGATION
BADGES Stand Alone Modular Stackable Articulated into Degrees M O O C Certificate Programs Associate Bachelor Graduate (licensure/credentialing for some fields) CREDIT for PRIOR LEARNING Continuing Education microcredentials Life Span Learning M O O C Corporate or Military Training Exams OERs Portfolios MOOC
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA
Complete College Georgia The University System of Georgia Technical College System of Georgia
Funded by the US Dept. of Education: College Access Challenge Grant
Working Principles and Agreements Single point of access CAEL standards Nationally recognized, standardized CBE Transfer and articulation guarantee Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) membership Gateway mechanism for PLA options Uniform portfolio assessment fee Accept all available CLEP using the ACE recommended passing score Recommends an AP Policy
TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION
Higher Education in Tennessee: Structure Governor General Assembly TN Higher Education Commission (THEC) Coordinating Board University of Tennessee System (UT) Governing Board TN Board of Regents (TBR) Governing Board 3 Universities 4 Specialized Institutes 6 Universities 13 Community Colleges 28 Colleges of Applied Technology
The Completion Agenda in TN: Background Public Policy Audit 2009 Complete College Tennessee Act (CCTA) 2010 Institution Missions Revised 2010 Master Plan Developed 2010 Tennessee Transfer Pathways Developed 2010 2011 100% Performance Based Funding Formula Developed and Implemented 2010 2011 Completion Innovation Challenge: Focus groups Tennessee Adult Strategies Group Tennessee PLA Initiative fall 2011 present
Highlights of TN PLA Standards Value statement Common definitions Standardizes what credit is accepted &how it can be used by students Academic quality and access Transcription and tracking
Highlights of TN PLA Standards Transparency and consistency Credit by exam consistency Periodic review of PLA policies Portfolio specific standards Transfer Adopted into Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Policy Key components (including transfer) accepted by the University of Tennessee System (UT) Endorsed by the Board of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA)
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
19
PLA Expansion Project Goals and Assumptions Establish PLA principles and guidelines to support system wide PLA implementation. System principles guide local policy. Faculty engagement is essential. Accelerate adult student progress toward degree. Realize an increase of returning adult students participating in PLA by 2015. Assurance and maintenance of academic quality. Focus on PLA oriented to adult learners. Hold down cost of degree completion. 20
Systemwide Priorities Assessment Principles and Guidelines Transcription Transfer Advising Fees 21
Building Institutional Capacity PLA Portfolio UW Colleges UW Oshkosh UW Parkside UW Stout UW Superior UW Whitewater Degree Embedded UW Green Bay UW Whitewater* Utilization of ACE Recommendations UW Milwaukee UW Platteville* 22
Panel Conversation
Contacts and Links MaryEllen.Dallman@usg.edu http://discoveryourgoal.net Wilson.Finch@tn.gov BeginAgainTN.org mlakin@acenet.edu www.acenet.edu/cup tmcgowan@uwsa.edu http://web.uwsa.edu/vpacad/prior learning assessment/