Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Dr. Susan Galbreath, CPAAssociate ProvostAcademic Administration and Strategic InitiativesandDirector of the Center for Teaching and Learning

TICUA “Drive to 55” ConferenceNovember 7, 2013

Current Landscape of Higher Ed

Current Landscape of Higher Ed

PLA Definition

A process for evaluating knowledge and skills in order to award college credit for college-level learning gained from like experiences.

~Wertheim, 2012 Faculty Assessors Workbook

CAEL

PLA AssertsStudents bring pre-existing college

level

acquired through out-of-class experiences.

Prior Learning Assessment Examples

Prior Learning Assessment Benefits

Lipscomb’s Adult Learning Program

New PLA Options @ Lipscomb University

Maximum of 30 credits can be awarded through prior learning assessment options.

Portfolio AssessmentA collection of documents, essays, letters, certifications, and sample work products that seek to demonstrate college-level learning completed outside the classroom.

There is a $70 transcription fee for “S” graded portfolios.

Ineligible: Practicums, field study, internships, travel, capstones.

• Awards badges that can be transcripted for course credit for Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree

Competency AssessmentA behavioral-based assessment process relying on more than 35 years of research by Organization Systems International’s (OSI) Polaris competency model.

15 Competencies Assessed in Assessment Center

* Research-based “Big Six” competencies for effective leaders.

Lipscomb Badges

• Electronic storage and display• Sharable with others

Assessment Center Activities

1. Four Cases to Analyze and Discuss• Individual assessment of case solutions.• Individual assessment in group discussion of case solutions

where required to come to a group consensus solution.2. In-Box Activity

• Individual assessment of efficient and effective work product. • Individual assessment of in-box feedback.

3. Presentation and Group Discussion• Individual assessment of presentation skills.• Individual assessment in group discussion where required to

come to a group consensus solution. 4. Impromptu Speech

• Individual assessment of presentation skills.

Competency AssessmentEach competency has multiple measurement opportunities during the 8-hour assessment.

Assessors rate each competency on a scale of 1 to 5.

Competency AssessmentDepending on the level of competency achieved, the course credit given by assessment may be for elective credit or for required credit for the major.

There is a $170 transcription fee for proficient competencies.

Deficient competencies must be reassessed in a future assessment center.

CORE Recognition by Lumina Foundation

1 of only 30 colleges/universities in the country to offer a legitimate competency program

1 of only 7 colleges/universities in the country actively pursuing direct assessment Awarding credits outside the traditional credit and seat-

hours system Lipscomb Univ, Southern New Hampshire Univ, Brandman

Univ, Westminster College, Univ of Wisconsin, KY Community and Technical College, and Charter Oak

Fast Facts

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Dr. Susan Galbreath, CPAAssociate ProvostAcademic Administration and Strategic InitiativesandDirector of the Center for Teaching and Learning

TICUA “Drive to 55” ConferenceNovember 7, 2013