LearningCounts.org is an innovative model for prior learning assessment created by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). It provides a national online platform for students to create individualized portfolios to receive college credit for learning from work and life experiences. Faculty experts from colleges across the country evaluate the portfolios and typically recommend credit for 75% of submissions. The service aims to increase access to prior learning assessment and help more adult students complete college degrees faster.

1. OVERVIEW OF LEARNINGCOUNTS.ORG
NOVEMBER 2, 2012
PRIOR LEARNING
ASSESSMENT
AN INNOVATIVE MODEL FOR
AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES

2. Today’s Agenda
• Background on CAEL
• Overview of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and
research
• History of LearningCounts.org
• About LearningCounts.org

3. Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
A 501(c)(3) non-profit, international organization with nearly
40 years of lifelong learning experience
National leader in PLA best practices, research, and writing
Dedicated to removing barriers to adult learning
Recognized by regional accrediting bodies
LEARNINGCOUNTS.ORG 3

4. CAEL’S HISTORY AS LEADER IN
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA)
 For nearly 40 years, nationally recognized as the leader in the
assessment of learning from life and work experience
 Wrote the standards and best practices followed by colleges
and universities
 Trained hundreds of faculty and colleges in how to assess
learning
 Recognized by regional accrediting bodies
4

5. What is PLA?
Prior Learning Assessment is a process for
evaluating knowledge and skills in order to award
college credit for learning from:
On-the-job Corporate Independent Military Volunteer
learning training study service service

6. 6

7. FUELING THE RACE TO POSTSECONDARY
SUCCESS
A 48-Institution Study of Prior Learning Assessment and Adult Student Outcomes
 Background on LearningCounts.org
 Reviewed over a 7-year period
 Compared students with PLA credits
to those without PLA credits
 PLA increases graduation rates and
persistence; decreases time to
degree completion
Funded by the Lumina Foundation, March 2010
LEARNINGCOUNTS.ORG 7

8. How PLA Can Help:
Graduation Rates
Fueling the Race to
Postsecondary
Success, CAEL, March 2010

9. Why LearningCounts.org
 Not enough colleges granting credit for prior learning
 Need for consistent standards
 Adult learners are not aware of PLA so they often
repeat what they already know
 Need for a national, on-line approach with easy access
 Ability to use faculty experts nationwide to review
learning portfolios in various disciplines

10. Individualized Portfolios
Create and Submit Portfolios
 Arrangement includes one portfolio
 Faculty from colleges and universities from across the
country will evaluate portfolios and make credit
recommendations
 Two week turn-around
 Recommendations sent directly to campus representative
for transcribing
 Additional portfolios may be submitted (up to XX hours), but
are sent directly to LearningCounts, and funded by students

11. Portfolio Credits
Portfolio Credits
Pending, 15%
Portfolio Credits
Denied, 10%
Portfolio Credits
Recommended, 75
%

12. Portfolio Disciplines
Business / Mktg/ Finance
Trade Fields
Core Liberal Arts
Human Resources
Education
Criminal Justice
Public Admin

13. For more information:
colleges@learningcounts.org