1. © 2014 National College Transition Network at World Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Developing a Comprehensive Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Policy for Mississippi Ellen Hewett Darlene G. Miller, Ed.D. Retraining the Gulf Coast Workforce Through IT Pathways Consortium

2. © 2014 National College Transition Network at World Education, Inc. All rights reserved. * The goal of the Consortium is to address the critical challenges facing trade-impacted workers in their regions and to meet the fast growing demand for IT workers from local and regional employers. * Recognizing the need to value the learning TAA eligible workers, veterans and others have gained through work experience, Consortium members have agreed to develop a streamlined approach to Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). TAACCGT Grant Deliverables

3. Work to Date Effective PLA Policies and Practices  SACs and PLA  Standards for PLA Policies  CAEL and other SAC model state policies  Assessment Fees  Role of the Registrar  Transparency  Ways to Award PLA  CLEP, DSST, IB, AP  Portfolio  Credit by Examination  Certification Crosswalk  Transcription of Credit

4. Work to Date LA and MS Best Practices Perused each college’s website, catalog, policy manual as well as interviewed college staff  Definitions  Academic Integrity  Who Can Take PLA and When  Residency Requirements  Enrollment Status  Transparency  Ease of finding PLA policies and practices  Process for Applying  Transcription of Credit

5. Goals for Today The Colleges Develop the framework of a policy that each college can take back to campus and begin the college process of defining and implementing a policy. For MCCB Develop the processes and infrastructure necessary to support the college’s implementation of prior learning assessment policies and practices on campus. Take this to scale to include all MS colleges.

6. Critical Components  SACs Compliance and Alignment with Other College Policies  Types of PLA Awarded by the College  Academic Integrity and the Role of the Faculty  Academic Integrity and the Role of the Chief Academic Officer  Record Retention and the Role of the Registrar  Fees

7. Guiding Documents PLA Policy Template PLA Procedure Template PLA Crosswalk Template

8. Questions to Consider What issues or concerns to you have? Is there anything that is in conflict with college or MCCB policies and processes? What will be faculty concerns? What are the Colleges’ processes for approval? Is there anything missing?