1. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
PLA has powerful potential for earning credit toward educational goals, and PLA is owned by the student. How can we encourage students tap resources that they might already possess?

2. Can college-level learning take place outside the traditional classroom?
If so, where?
Workplace
Life
Professional training
Seminars
Self-initiated study
Hobby activities
Church or religious activities
International travel
Volunteer organizations
Military training

3. What is Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
What is Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)? Take two to three minutes at your tables to define what PLA is.
Learning that is evaluated for content and process
Evaluation that is done by content experts
An academic review of learning outcomes
Learning that is evaluated with common academic standards
Evaluation of learning against commonly accepted competencies
All of the above

4. What are some sources of prior learning credit?
Credit by examination
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College Level Examination Program, DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, Excelsior College Examination, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Informal experiences (college-level learning) assessment
Formal training (American Council on Education Credit recommendation program)
Professional licensing
Apprenticeships or internships
Corporate training
Military training

5. Prior Learning as a resource for attaining post-secondary education goals
Assessment of college–level learning that occurs outside the traditional classroom
Flexible
Cost effective
Wide variety of subject matter
Empowering
Confidence building

6. Ten CAEL Standards for PLA
1) Credit or competencies are awarded only for evidence of learning, not for experience or time spent.
2) Assessment is integral to learning because it leads to and enables future learning.
3) Assessment is based on criteria for outcomes that are clearly articulated and shared among constituencies.
4) The determination of credit awards and competence levels are made by appropriate subject matter and credentialing experts.
5) Assessment advances the broader purpose of equity and access for diverse individuals and groups.

7. CAEL Standards Continued
6) Institutions proactively provide guidance and support for learners’ full engagement in the assessment process.
7) Assessment policies and procedures are the result of inclusive deliberation and are shared with all constituencies.
8) Fees charged for assessment are based on the services performed in the process rather than the credit awarded.
9) All practitioners involved in the assessment process pursue and receive adequate training and continuing professional development for the functions they perform.
10) Assessment programs are regularly monitored, evaluated and revised to respond to institutional and learner needs.

8. Key Organizations in Prior Learning Assessment
American Council on Education (ACE)--College credit recommendation services
Organizational listing
Military Training
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
PLA services
Consulting services
room/Pages/College-Credit-Recommendation-Service-CREDIT.aspx
Other PLA organizations:
college-equivalency-cace/

9. Links to helpful articles
seek-become-quality-reviewers-boot-camps-online-courses- and-other-noncollege
learning-assessment.pdf
students-who-have-earned-credit-prior-learning
learning-assessment-catches-quietly
doubles-down-prior-learning-assessment
foundations-free-courses-offer-path-credit