The history of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) can be traced back to World War II when the American Council on Education (ACE) began conducting credit evaluations of military training. However, it wasn't until the 1970s with the inception of adult-serving colleges such as Charter Oak State College (COSC) and others, the altering of ACE to expand…

Prior learning assessment (PLA) is the process of evaluating learning, regardless of when or where the learning occurred, and, if the learning is at the college level, awarding college credit to the possessor of that learning. This article provides an overview of the PLA program at a large public U.S. institution and presents the findings of the…

Several recent issues and trends in online education have resulted in consolidation of efforts for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), increased Open Educational Resources (OER) in the form of asynchronous course repositories, with noticeable increases in governance and policy amplification. These emerging enrollment trends in alternative online…

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (E2SHB 1795), passed by the Legislature in 2011, identified prior learning assessment (PLA) as an innovative means for improving degree and certificate attainment and improving cost effectiveness and efficiency within Washington's higher education system. The Act defines prior learning as "the knowledge…

A description is given of the system developed by the College Board during the past three decades through which, on the basis of examination, more than 1,500 colleges award degree credit for prior learning. Over 140,000 individuals take the examinations each year. (Author/MSE)

The conference papers provide an overview of some of the main issues and perspectives in the granting of credit for experience by covering the transition from the construction of educational experiences for and with students for the future to the accreditation of experiences of the past. This also includes the problem of translation or…

Reports the results of a survey of the practices of 78 Michigan colleges and universities in awarding and transferring credit for nontraditional or experiential learning. (WD)

A national survey reported on institutional practices in awarding credits for extrainstitutional learning. Results reveal that 98 percent of respondents award credit for extrainstitutional learning, with credit-by-examination, general exam, institutionally developed exams, College Board placement exams, and others used, in that descending order.…

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) created the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) in 1965 and over the years it has become a staple of American higher education. In order to better understand the ramifications of the CLEP program, this article provides a brief history of CLEP and reexamines some of the findings of earlier research. The…

Regression equations were formulated to determine the predictability of the College Level Examination Program performance from ACT scores. Equation strength prompted further investigation to determine if a relationship could be established. The tally matrix from which probabilities were computed was found to be effective for predictive purposes.…

The report includes all the individuals who submitted CLEP scores and were enrolled at the university in 1973. Data indicated: (1) Fewer students took and earned credit through CLEP in 1973 (470) than in 1972 (616). (2) The academic caliber of a majority of the students who are writing CLEP appears to indicate that they have a realistic awareness…

Nontraditional methods of qualifying for a college degree are described in this student guide to off-campus study and examination. The three external degree institutions in the United States that offer these programs are discussed. They include: Regents External Degree Program of the University of the State of New York; Thomas A. Edison College of…

Using the General Examinations of the College Level Examination Program to recognize prior learning can increase institutional income while reducing student costs. Recent studies at the University of Toledo are described. (MLW)

This book is based on a national invitational colloquium that took place in March, 1979, at the University of Wisconsin--Madison. The colloquium was sponsored by the College Board in cooperation with the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) of the Big Ten Universities and the University of Chicago. It afforded an opportunity for…

The use of the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) was evaluated by the Florida Postsecondary Education Planning Commission. In addition to a comprehensive analysis of research studies relating to CLEP conducted in various states, CLEP policies at state universities and community colleges in Florida were examined. Perceptions of Florida…