This document provides an overview of prior learning assessment (PLA). It defines PLA as assessing verifiable learning from outside traditional classrooms for college credit. PLA aims to help nontraditional students earn degrees more quickly and at lower cost by receiving credit for prior knowledge. The document discusses the history of PLA in the U.S. over the last 80 years and how it gained importance with initiatives to increase college attainment. It also outlines the PLA process, which involves recognizing, validating and credentialing prior learning through various assessment methods including portfolios, examinations and pre-evaluated credit recommendations.

1. Prior Learning
Assessment (PLA)
Overview
Presented by
Nan Travers, Ph.D.
SUNY Empire State College
Prior Learning Assessment Professional Development Series

2. WHAT IS IT?
Prior Learning Assessment

3. Definition
PLA is the process by
which verifiable learning
acquired outside of
traditional learning
environments is assessed
for college-level credit.
Formal
Learning
(Classroom/
Training)
Non-Formal
(Workshops)
Prior
Learning
Assessment
Informal
(Personal
Experiences
& Study)

4. PLA has many different
names…
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
• Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
• Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)
• Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
• Recognition & Validation of Non-formal & Informal
Learning (RVNIL)

5. Why PLA? Why Now?
Degree Completion Agenda
• President Obama
• Challenged every American to commit to at least one year of
higher education or post-secondary training.
• Set goal that by 2020, the United States would once again have
the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.
• Lumina Foundation
• Increase the proportion of Americans with high-quality degrees,
certificates and other credentials to 60 percent by the year 2025.
• TAACCCT Grants

6. PLA Provides Students
Opportunities
•Earn college credit for learning
outside of the classroom.
•Recognizes students for what they
know.
•Complete degrees sooner at a
lower cost.

7. Who are the Students who use
PLA?
Adult Students
• Professional
Learning
• Volunteer
Learning
• Self-Study
• Personal
Experiences
Younger Students
• Home schooled
• Dual-
enrollment
• Advanced
Placement
• Self-study
Currently
Enrolled Students
• Service
Learning
• Extra
research/study

8. PLA Process
Recognize
Learning
• Various sources of learning
• Articulating learning
• Documenting learning
Validate
Learning
• Different types of assessments
• Assessment Criteria
Credential
Learning
• Award academic credit
• Apply towards a degree, certificate
or diploma

9. College
Entrance
Examination
Board
• CLEP
• AP
1930
American Council
on Education
• Credit for
Military
Experience
1945
The
Educational
Testing
Service
1945
PLA Early Years in the US
13 Adult-
focused
colleges began
1970’s
Commission
on Non-
Traditional
Study
1971
Cooperative
Assessment of
Experiential
Learning
(CAEL)
1974
PLA has been around for over 80 years!

10. CAEL Project (1974-1977) from Research
to Ten Standards for Assessing Learning
http://www.cael.org/whom-we-
serve/colleges-and-universities/prior-
learning-assessment-services
Consult your regional accreditation
organization’s standards regarding PLA
considerations.
Standards for Assessing Learning

11. PLA is not just one method or tool!
Traditional
Transfer Credit
• Assessment based
on criteria
developed by
other accredited
intuitions
Pre-Evaluated
Learning
•Assessment based
on expected
learning prior to the
learners
engagement–
usually evaluated by
an outside entity
(e.g., ACE, NCCRS).
Internal
Assessment
•Portfolio
Assessment based
on the individual
learner’s
knowledge.
•Challenge
Examinations

12. Thank You!
For more information on Prior Learning Assessment
• View additional videos
• Contact SUNY.REAL@esc.edu
Prior Learning Assessment Professional Development Series