Dr. Teresa Bagamery ClarkDr. Teresa Bagamery Clark

Lipscomb UniversityLipscomb University

October 1, 2012October 1, 2012

Higher education since 2003

Adult learning since 2006 Research, design and teaching position last fall

Educated at Geneva College and Vanderbilt University

Background

Review (or discover) portfolio background Develop a process map Reassess to try again

Outcomes

(No) Surprise: Adult learners on the rise G.I. Bill Presidential Goal Lumina Foundation Workforce Needs

National Context

Veterans Women 20-somethings Baby-Boomers

National (2)

Over 200 students Has grown 238% since 2006 93% retention rate fall to spring (all) 74% retention rate fall to fall (first time)

Lipscomb Adult Program

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA): “A process for

evaluating knowledge and skills in order to award college credit for college-level learning gained from like experiences.” (Wertheim, 2012)

Types: CLEP CBE DSST AP IB ACE Portfolio

What is PLA?

What types of PLA does your institution offer

or grant credit for? Does your institution have a portfolio system

in place?

Your Experience

Motivate Move faster toward degree

Save time Save money

Persist More than twice as likely to graduate

PLA Benefits

A collection of documents and essays that

seek to demonstrate college-level learning completed outside the classroom.

Documentation Essays Letters Certificates Samples of work

What is a Portfolio?

Council on Adult and Experiential Learning

(CAEL) founded in the 1970s Increase in overall enrollment in ‘60s Rise of community colleges University of Phoenix

Portfolios 1980s New G.I. Bill More specialization Declining liberal arts colleges

Portfolio History

More students

Recruited Retained Graduated

Enter the arena Competitive advantage Repertoire

Our Goals

Proposal in 2011 following CAEL conference Resistance Resurgence with new college

Portfolio Groundwork

December 2011 new proposal Spring 2012 one-on-one meetings with

deans/VPs Spring 2012 joined state task force

Road to Approval

CAEL advisor and assessor training Policy committee (Provost-appointed) Summer 2012 Approval for Adult Degree

Program

Road to Approval (2)

Lipscomb University acknowledges certain adult

learners come to the university with a significant body of professional or voluntary experience that may have equipped them with knowledge and learning that can be demonstrated through the portfolio process. Therefore, the mission of prior learning assessment through portfolio evaluation is to recognize and grant undergraduate academic credit for demonstrated achievement of higher learning objectives.

Mission Statement

Required course Course-match system (vs. block credit) 4000-level courses and field study ineligible Fees and compensation

Policy Highlights

Student completes self-evaluation Student completes Portfolio Workshop Student submits portfolio Portfolio reviewed by assessor Portfolio approved by assessor and reviewed

by department chair

Portfolio Quick Steps

Student may revise and resubmit Assessor and department chair sign off College of Professional Studies and Registrar

sign off Account charged and credit posted

Quick Steps (2)

Non-credit, four-week, flat-fee, online Offered fall and spring Description:

Online course for students planning to prepare a PLA portfolio.

Through one-on-one meetings and regular communication with the professor, students will work to organize an initial portfolio.

Portfolio Workshop

Catalog Policies and procedures Forms

Paper Trail

Word of mouth Website Radio Information session

Advertising

Information session approved by Provost Guests: Admissions, Registrar, Veterans

Affairs, Financial Aid, Student Accounts CAEL’s Advising the Adult Learner Toolkit Policies and procedures Scheduled for October

Staff

Assessor training

Provost’s letter Deans’ selection

CAEL’s Prior Learning Assessment: Ensuring Academic Quality

Policies and procedures Scheduled for October

Faculty

Recruitment Student participation Credit awarded Retention Graduation

Measurement

Research to give an answer Capitalize on receptive culture Secure a respected spokesperson Individual meetings with key players for buy-in Prepare to compromise

Recommendations

Share your portfolio stories, successes,

roadblocks Discuss how Lipscomb’s journey mirrors your

experience, how it might encourage you, how it could save you some headaches

General questions

Discussion

Dr. Teresa Bagamery Clark

Lipscomb University One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 Teresa.clark@lipscomb.edu

Thank You

CAEL (2012). Advising the adult learner

toolkit. CAEL (April 2011). Research brief. Colvin, J. (2006). Earn college credit for what

you know, 4th ed. CAEL and Kendall-Hunt. Fiddler, M., Marienau, C. and Whitaker, U.

(2006). Assessing learning: Standards, principles and procedures, 2nd ed. CAEL and Kendall-Hunt.

Resources

Hart, D.M. and Hickerson, J.H. (2008). Prior

learning portfolios: A representative collection. CAEL and Kendall-Hunt

Lederman, D. (2010). The ‘prior learning’ edge. Inside Higher Education. Retrieved from: http://www.insidehighered.com.

Wertheim, J. (2012). Faculty assessors’ workbook. CAEL.

Resources (2)