Affinity-group marketing--selling credit cards or insurance to people who have a lot in common, such as alumni--is booming. The IRS's case for taxing profits from credit card and insurance plans is discussed. The vehicle for collecting taxes would be the UBIT--the tax on unrelated business income. (MLW)

Emphasis in adult education on goals of economic cost-effectiveness, input/output accountability, and credits as currency ignores the fact that what matters is positive learning experiences; the value and quality of human relationships in the educational process; and the values, attitudes, and motivation central to a learning culture. (SK)

Compares U.S. models of credit accumulation and transfer in degree programs with credit initiatives in the United Kingdom. Suggests that the U.S. experience shows that accumulation is easy, transfer is problematic; currency of credits can vary; and credits cannot deliver equity or excellence by themselves. (SK)

A process for translating experience into college-level learning involves identifying relevant experiences and types: (1) a single experience leading to a single learning topic; (2) a single experience leading to several topics; or (3) several experiences leading to a single topic. Visual representations of these types help students validate the…

Administrators, counselors, and teachers from 41 Mississippi schools (n=123) supported a pilot agriscience curriculum. Science teachers expressed strong support for granting science credit for agriscience. The curriculum was perceived as primarily for students planning agricultural careers. (SK)

Examines the development of an innovative student identification card system that includes off-campus banking and credit card functions. Finding solutions to bank objections, credit card company rule problems, and software difficulties are discussed. (GR)

Despite rhetoric about the Learning Society and learning culture, developments in the Open College Network suggest the emergence of opposing organizational and professional cultures and a qualifications culture. Instead of a learning culture, a learning market is developing. (SK)

Surveyed nontraditional Pharm.D (NTPD) program directors to determine use of prior learning assessment (PLA). Eighty-four percent of respondents reported using PLA for one or more purposes, including the admissions process and awarding of advanced standing for didactic and experiential courses. Transcript review, faculty-developed exams, and…

Reports on a study that investigated the effect of a university's solicitation policy on students' acquisition and usage of credit cards. Attempts by universities to limit access to and use of credit cards appear to be ineffective. Suggests alternative policies be constructed around teaching students sound money management skills. (Author/JDM)

Assessment of achievement seemingly conflicts with the adult education principle of the intrinsic value of learning. Assessment and accreditation can support adult learning if the curriculum is based on learner needs and if assessment and accreditation are based on the needs of the curriculum. (SK)

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) information on 38 Australian universities' websites was analyzed, with the following results: (1) research on universities' use of technology for student-institution interaction was lacking; (2) terms and definitions used for RPL were inconsistent, hard to find, or required a high level of knowledge; and (3)…

Critiques planned changes in the British National Vocational Qualifications Framework. Makes recommendations for units, credits, and credit-based qualifications. (SK)

In earlier work the Student Assessment and Classification Working Group (SACWG) found that up to 15% of honours classifications in UK higher education might be different if the results had been fed through another institution's award algorithm. In this article a more sensitive analysis has been applied to two blocks of institutional results that…

A study of various forms of credit or non-credit used in Florida colleges and universities examines their relationship to traditional college credit, courses, and programs. An expansion in the kinds of credit and their usage is a focus of concern of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The practices of Florida postsecondary…

A survey of 831 two-year colleges was conducted in January, 1979, to gather data on physical education (P.E.) programs and requirements, grading practices, course offerings, P.E. faculty, and physical facilities. Survey findings, based on a 53% response rate, indicate that 93% of the responding colleges offered physical education classes and that…