People learn in many different ways and in many different places. What is learned informally or experientially is often the same or similar to what may be learned in traditional formal learning environments. There are many reasons why recognizing experiential learning is viable educational option, more so in today's economy than ever before. Prior…

This guidebook is written for those who question the process of earning credit for experience and what knowledge and skills might lead to a credit award, and should assist educators who are approached for accreditation of knowledge and skills learned on a Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA)-funded job. There are five sections: the…

Advice is given to the individual college about three main kinds of variables to take into account in analyzing all the economic effects of programs for awarding credit to students in recognition of prior learning: process variables, student variables, and institutional variables. (Author/MSE)

This manual provides the policies and procedures for an individualized diploma program that offers adults an alternative approach toward earning a high school diploma. It presents information on time and location, eligibility, diploma requirements, admission to the program (student intake), resources, and a flowchart showing pathways to a diploma.…

The Regents External Degree is a New York State program offering a college degree to individuals, whether by earned college credit or knowledge acquired in other experience areas. The external degree and the College Proficiency Examinations are administered by the University of the State of New York, which has no campus or courses but accepts…

This monograph examines issues relative to the awarding of academic credit to out-of-school youths for work experience and training programs designed by prime sponsors or their contractors with local education agencies under the Youth Community Conservation and Improvements Projects, the Youth Employment and Training Programs, and by the…

The composite-portfolio approach, combining all major systems of assessing prior learning of adults for degree credits, is described as exemplified by methods of Empire State College of the State University of New York. Illustrations include evaluation statements, outline of an actual degree program, and an evaluation policy statement. (MSC)

The issue of the costs and financial aspects of the assessment of prior learning is discussed from the point of view of program managers and others responsible for ensuring high quality, cost-efficient academic programs. Rationales and models currently in use are examined. (MLW)

This guide is designed for administrators of universities, colleges, school boards, and private institutions who wish to consider the implementation of a program for the recognition of prior learning within their institutions. To explain the possibility of transferring learning skills, some examples of the recognition of prior learning are…

Following a literature review, this article analyzes the financial impact of credits for experiential learning on a major midwestern university. Both students and the institution appear to have benefited economically. Questions are raised concerning who should benefit from publicly supported education--students, society, or all three. Includes 28…

This guide was developed in Great Britain to help colleges develop programs for assessment of prior learning (APL) for adult students. (APL involves careers and educational guidance, access to particular courses despite possible lack of traditional certification, accreditation, formal credit toward a particular qualification, and exemption from…

This manual describes a program that recognizes and assesses all prior learning in academics as well as in life skills and recommends a variety of educational opportunities so that adult learners can prepare themselves to meet requirements for high school certification. Four major areas of the Lowell Adult Diploma Program (LADP) are reviewed: time…

The purpose of this Massachusetts Department of Education document is to create an awareness of, and to provide information about, adult high school credentialing programs based upon assessment of skills, which augment existing ways to earn a high school diploma. It is intended for staffs of adult learning centers, adult education programs, CETA…

The ways that Wisconsin colleges, technical institutes and high schools award credit for learning acquired through work experience are described. This guide was written after a statewide study of the policies and procedures of both postsecondary and secondary schools. Data were gathered in interviews with nearly every postsecondary school in…

This manual provides an overview of the concepts and issues involved in the assessment of prior learning in the context of the increasing numbers of older, nontraditional students returning to higher education. Section 1 gives background information about prior learning assessment (PLA) and defines PLA as assessment by some valid and reliable…