PLA Credit in Colorado: Disrupting Culture, Shifting Strategies, Scaling Efficiencies Bitsy Cohn Director, Credit for Prior Learning Colorado Community College System

Today Disrupting Culture The Process of developing the PLA Credit System Changes to past policy Procedures The PLA Credit Crosswalk Matrix The Dashboard The PLA Credit Manual Developing Implementation plans What we’ve learned so far…

Disrupting Culture Survey Why then? Why now? Local Data and modeling Fact Finding, Fact Facing Why then? Why now? Rejecting Passive Dominance Local Data and modeling Preparing for the Struggle Win/Win/Win Engaging Stakeholders Show me the money Engaging Leadership Relational, continuous, iterative, Changing Vision

The Process CHAMP Grant: Credit for Prior Learning Redesign the current Colorado Community College System model for credit for prior learning to accelerate certification CHAMP Grant: Credit for Prior Learning Registrars, testing specialist, VP, Deans, transcript evaluators, faculty, CAEL expert Credit for Prior Learning Committee Develop System Presidents Procedures Credit crosswalk matrix in development/Standardized Test Matrix in place February 2015: Policy revisions approved by SBCCOES Webinars System Presidents Procedures: Approved PLA Credit Manual/Matrix: Distribute draft for input December 2015: Initial Rollout Launch PLA Credit.com Dashboard Open PLA Credit Website Training: Advisors/Registrars, Faculty, Leadership Spring 2016: Full implementation

Prior Learning Assessment Credit CPL POLICY CHANGE PLA Credit Prior Learning Assessment Credit Credit for Prior Learning Credit transcripted when student applies/ declares major One credit in residency requirement System–wide cost matrix Varied costs: <50% of tuition cost per credit Guidelines based on national best practices. Training for assessors Assessment practices vary by college Manual: Updated and expanded crosswalks STAN, CHAL, PUBG, POTR Handbook: specific to current policy. Most credit matrix information 2008 or earlier.

The Procedures Clear and concise information Published/accessible New and currently enrolled Student bill of rights Publicize PLA Credit Opportunities College level learning and skills Requires admission to a program of study Credit for courses directly applicable to declared program Meet or exceed “C” level Assessed by subject matter experts Standards for awarding credit

Standardized Tests Institutional Challenge Exams Published Guides Faculty evaluated local industry and workplace credit Portfolios Methods for awarding credit Standardized test cut scores and course crosswalks Challenge Exam availability by course and institution Previously evaluated Published Guide recommendations PLA Credit Crosswalk Matrix Admitted with declared program of study PLA Credit not counted toward FTE PLA Credit identified by specific course number/ sem. credit hours Required documentation maintained by college Posting Credit

Standardized across the state Student bears reasonable costs of assessment No fees charged for posting of credit Not to exceed 50% of cost of tuition for credits awarded Non refundable, regardless of assessment outcome Cost PLA Credit must be accepted for transfer among all state system college provided that the credits apply to the degree or certificate program at the institution the student is entering Transfer guides and articulation agreements shall include information on the transfer of PLA Credit Transfer of Credit

The Matrix Standardized Tests Challenge Tests by Course and Institution Previously Evaluated Published Guide Credit recommendations Faculty Evaluated Local Industry and Workplace crosswalks AP, IB, CLEP, DSST, UExcel Interim, CDHE State Matrix: TBD Spring 2016 Information only Student, advisor, staff access Submit form: Credential, course crosswalk, credits, faculty evaluator Reduce duplication, transparency for students Evaluator training/support Transferability for students

Interactive tool for student and advisors The Dashboard Interactive tool for student and advisors Matrix = the data source Maintained at the system level Link on each college webpage Student account saved for updates, printing, sharing Administrator portal to access matrix information: Advisors, registrars

The Manual Introduction to Prior Learning Assessment Credit Standards for awarding PLA Credit Approved PLA Credit methods and procedures Standardized Tests Institutional Challenge Exams

Published guides PLA Credit for military service members and veterans Faculty-evaluated local industry and workplace credit Portfolio assessment Portfolio guidelines Faculty and student roles in the portfolio process Minimum requirements for the content of the portfolio

Publish Spring 2016 Guidelines for Portfolio Assessor Training/Process Steps for using an outside vendor for Portfolio Assessment Colorado department of Corrections PLA Credit appeals process APPENDICES: Credit crosswalk matrix, PLA Credit Policy, System Procedures, PLA research, glossary of terms Publish Spring 2016

Implementation Webinars Introduction to PLA Q&A Focus: Advisors, Registrars, Faculty PLA Credit codes updated Manual published Cost Matrix published Advising: PLA Credit Dashboard soft launch Post to college web pages Marketing Launch Communications Directors have PLA Credit Tool Kit, asked to work with Advising on Marketing Plan Portfolio Evaluation training for subject matter experts College visits, technical assistance Dynamic matrix development process Maintenance of the Dashboard

Metrics Track activity by: Year one and PLA Credit Baseline report November 2015 Track activity by: Demographics PLA credits by course PLA credits by method Persistence year to year Completion of certificate or degree Transfer Surveys for qualitative information Year one and year two post-implementation comparisons

What we’ve learned… Faculty Engagement is key, not consensus Work with those who want to do the work and show up Create a model that shows the ways the shifts will benefit students and use it often Respect protocol Staff Create efficiencies and collaboration Standardize data Create FAQ lists that answer important questions i.e. Accreditation Identify leads/communication and information flow Clean out/up websites and respositories

Questions?