1. Hawaii Strategic Institute 2016
PLA at the UHCCs
Hawaii Strategic Institute 2016
Introduce yourself
Say Thank you.
1 - Ask who is faculty / Staff?
2 - Ask what they are expecting to get out of this: LIST EXPECTATIONS
Joel E. Paula
PLA Coordinator
University of Hawaii Community Colleges

2. What We Will Cover What is Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Why PLA is important
Where we are as a system
Steps we have taken to move forward
Why PLA is a win-win-win
How to make it work if it works for you

3. What is PLA? Definitions Prior Learning
Knowledge acquired outside the college environment.
Prior Learning Assessments
The different tools faculty use to evaluate college-level
knowledge.

4. What is PLA? Common Types of PLA Credit by Institutional Exam (CBIE)
Equivalency Exams (AP, CLEP, ECE, DSST, TECEP, IB)
Evaluation of Industry Training
Portfolio Assessment

5. What is PLA?
PLA Drivers
Who determines if PLA is applicable to an academic program?
Who determines what assessment methods can be used?
Who determines what courses can be offered through PLA?
Who determines what students are eligible for PLA?
Who determines the maximum # of PLA credits that can be applied to a degree?

6. What is PLA?
Take a guess
Let’s pretend that in the last 10 years the UHCCs have awarded 100 credits which were applied to Associate Degrees. How many of those credits do you think were credits earned from PLA?

7. Why PLA is important Keep in Mind: Graduation Rates for the UHCCs
HawCC HonCC KapCC KauCC 22% 18% 16% 25% LeeCC MauiC WinCC UHCC 16% 16% 17% 18%
2012 Cohort at 150% of normal completion

8. Why PLA is important
Keep in Mind: Part-Time Attendance Status at the UHCCs
HawCC HonCC KapCC KauCC 59% 66% 62% 65% LeeCC MauiC WinCC UHCC 59% 64% 68% 63%

9. Why PLA is important
Keep in Mind: Age group who are 25 years of age or older
HawCC HonCC KapCC KauCC 36% 40% 33% 34% LeeCC MauiC WinCC UHCC 31% 41% 36% 35%

10. Why PLA is important Keep in Mind: Graduation Rates are low
Most students are Part-Time students
About 1/3 of students are 25 years of age or older

11. Why PLA is important
National Data

12. Why PLA is important Largest Study Findings
2010 CAEL/Lumina Study – 62,475 students in 48 Colleges and Universities.
Findings
PLA students (earn credit for prior learning) had significantly higher degree earning rates than non-PLA students.
43% of PLA students earned bachelor’s degrees compared to 15% of non-PLA students.
13% of PLA students earned associate’s degrees compared to 6% of non-PLA students.
Students with PLA credit needed less time to earn a degree.

13. Where are we as a system? Take a guess
Let’s pretend that in the last 10 years the UHCCs have awarded 100 credits which were applied to Associate Degrees. How many of those credits do you think were credits earned from PLA?

14. Where are we as a system?
# of PLA credits awarded from Fall 2005 – Fall 2015 # of credits awarded that satisfy degree requirements for Fall 2005 – Fall 2015

15. Where are we as a system? The Numbers We looked for PLA
credits awarded into
every semester
from Fall 2005 to
Fall 2015.
We counted the # of
PLA credits awarded
in each semester at
all UHCCs.

16. Where are we as a system?

17. Where are we as a system?

18. Where are we as a system?

19. Steps we have taken to move FWD
Policy
UHCCP Prior Learning Assessment Program
Policy allows for additional PLA Method: Portfolio Assessment.
Policy establishes minimum standards campus must follow.
Reduced Cost of CBIE: From full tuition to ½ of tuition
Student pays half of what they used to.
Identified the low hanging fruit.

20. Why PLA is a win-win-win
For Students
PLA will reduce time to degree.
PLA will allow students to save money.

21. Why PLA is a win-win-win
For Faculty
Remove qualified students from your class.
Increase enrollment in higher level courses.

22. Why PLA is a win-win-win
For the Campus
PLA reduces time to degree.
Saves students money/debt.
Students enroll in higher level courses.
Increases student graduation rates.
Attracts students who would not otherwise come to school

23. Why PLA is a win-win-win
The Demand
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce For Hawaii: By % of jobs will require college degrees. Census.gov 60% of population 25 years and older does not have college credentials.

24. Why PLA is a win-win-win
The Market

25. Why PLA is a win-win-win
For the Bean Counters
By attracting these potential students with PLA, the UHCCs will: Enroll more students. Generate additional moneys from students who would not otherwise come to college.

26. How to make it work if it works for you
The Approach
Student Centered
Faculty Driven
Involve all stakeholders (Faculty / Dept. / VCAA / VCSA / Records)
Start Conversation
Communication from top-down/bottom-up/sideways
$$$
Ask our system office for support.

27. What We Covered What is Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Why PLA is important
Where we are as a system
Steps we have taken to move forward
Why PLA is a win-win-win
How to make it work if it works for you

28. Questions? Comments? Tequila?
Joel E. Paula uhcc.hawaii.edu/priorlearning