In April 2013, "NEJHE" launched its New Directions for Higher Education series to examine emerging issues, trends and ideas that have an impact on higher education policies, programs and practices. In this installment, DiSalvio interviews Pamela Tate, president and CEO of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). Topics…

RARPA, recognising and recording progress and achievement in non-accredited learning, is a wonder tool that enthuses learners, providers, inspectors and policy makers alike. The staged process or anything one wants to call it, has made a positive contribution to the work with learners who have complex learning difficulties and disabilities. There…

This response to an article by Hyland refutes reservations about educational credit accumulation and transfer schemes and suggests the need for tangible rewards and the personalized ownership of knowledge, skills, and values that credits represent. (SK)

Accreditation issues raised by the use of educational technology not being substantially different from those raised during the decade of the seventies by the nontraditional education movement, there are several lessons about accreditation issues which are applicable to both movements. For example, credentialing and accreditation issues are…

Looks at how one can gain credentials and education credits in a variety of ways, such as passing standardized exams, demonstrating knowledge gained through experience, completing campus-based course work, and taking courses off campus. Includes a list of contacts and print resources. (JOW)

Institutions granting credit for life experience are faced with obstacles related to the complex, sensitive, threatening, and ambitious nature of the procedure. A three-step process for implementation of a plan for developing credit for life experiences is provided, along with a dissenting opinion. (MLW)

Few educators understand the exact nature and scope of alternative graduate programs or the variety of issues that confront their development and viability. Alternative graduate education is defined and the issues and critical concepts of nontraditional graduate study are identified. (Author/MLW)

The current discourse about access can be changed by using three adjectives: old, wide, and deep. Regarding the first, since the 1870s, when the professionalization and specialization of knowledge took off in so many fields, inequalities in education have actually increased where it matters most--who knows how much of what is available to be…

The issues common to all models of educational programs are explored as an introduction to the varying ways unions and universities can work together. Cost and lack of time are seen as the most common obstacles confronted by workers interested in furthering their education. (Author/MLW)

This paper focuses on the activities of colleges and universities providing options for the assessment of prior learning for adult students. The paper emphasizes programs with associate and baccalaureate degree-granting institutions in the United States and Canada. It is aimed at faculty members, practitioners, administrators, and policy-makers,…

The award and transfer of credit for experiential learning moving forward through either the collegial cooperative model or the political adversarial model is discussed. It is suggested that if institutions fail to solve these problems collegially, they may find policy decisions beyond their control. (MLW)

The third in a series of volumes of curriculum essays on the concepts, issues, and strategies of community development education and training is presented. Five sections with 20 papers are as follows: (1) introduction: theories, definitions, and origins of experiential education--"Experiential Education for Community Development" (I. Harris, P.…

During the last 5-10 years, a number of countries have introduced methods and systems for identifying, validating, and recognizing prior and nonformal learning that can be viewed as tools for improving the transparency and transfer of skills. In most cases, they have been operational for a comparatively short time, which makes it difficult to…

Discussion of the emergence of nontraditional doctoral pharmacy programs looks at three areas of particular concern: (1) faculty time required; (2) availability of physical and financial resources; and (3) assurance of program quality. Challenges to creating quality programs, development of standards, documentation of quality, treatment of prior…

Developmental education and underprepared entering college students are discussed in light of the increasing diversity in college student bodies. It is noted that larger numbers of older students are gaining access to higher education. Although specialists in the field of developmental education are equipped to deal with the problems of these new…