Prior Learning
Assessment (PLA)
Dr. Susan Galbreath, CPA
Associate Provost
Academic Administration and Strategic Initiatives
and
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
TICUA “Drive to 55” Conference
November 7, 2013
Current Landscape of Higher Ed
President Obama’s 2020 College Completion Goal
(Updated in Press Release Aug 2013)
Increase U.S. College Degrees from 40% to 60%
Award Credits Based on Learning, not Seat Time
Keys: Access and affordability; quality and completion
Complete College Tennessee Act
of 2010
Change from access to
completion
Performance-based funding
Governor Haslam Announces
“Drive to 55”
Increase TN postsecondary
completion from 38% to 55% by
2025 (certificates, associate’s &
bachelor’s)
WGU Tennessee
Current Landscape of Higher Ed
Lumina’s Big Goal
60% of Americans to possess postsecondary credentialing by 2025
Dear Colleague Letter from DOE (Mar. 19, 2013)
Direct assessment of student learning “in lieu of measuring
student learning in credit hours or clock hours” may qualify for
federal financial aid
“Competency-based approaches to education have the potential
for assuring the quality and extent of learning, shortening the time
to degree/certificate completion, developing stackable credentials
that ease student transitions between school and work, and
reducing the overall cost of education.”
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 Asserts
Students bring pre-existing college level
Competencies
Knowledge
Skills
Abilities
acquired through out-of-class experiences.
Prior Learning Assessment Examples
College Level
Exam Program
(CLEP)
Credit By Exam
(CBE)
College-Level
Exams, e.g.,
DSST
Advanced
Placement
(AP)
International
Baccalaureate
(IB)
American
Council on
Education (ACE)
Portfolio
Competency
Prior Learning Assessment Benefits
Increases Student Motivation
Faster Degree Completion
Saves Time and Money
Increases Student Persistence to Graduate
Lipscomb’s Adult Learning Program
Over 230
Students
277%
Growth
Since 2006
100%
Prior Work
Experience
45%
Graduation
Rate
(6 year,
2004-10)
New PLA Options
@ Lipscomb University
Portfolio
Assessment
Competency
Assessment
Maximum of 30 credits can be awarded through prior learning
assessment options.
Portfolio Assessment
A collection of documents, essays, letters, certifications, and sample
work products that seek to demonstrate college-level learning
completed outside the classroom.
Ineligible: Practicums, field study, internships, travel, capstones.
Student SelfEvaluation
Determines if
Eligible for
Portfolio
Process
Required Online
Portfolio
Workshop
Course
$500 Fee
Portfolio
Reviewed by
Trained
Department
Faculty Assessor
and Chair
S or U Grade
Assigned
(Revision
Possible)
There is a $70 transcription fee for “S” graded portfolios.
• Awards badges that can be transcripted
for course credit for Bachelor of
Professional Studies Degree
Competency Assessment
A 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
Active Listening
Communicativeness*
Presentation Skills
Prob Solving & Dec Making*
Assertiveness
Conflict Management
Relationship Building*
Team Player
Change Mastery
Influence*
Organization & Planning*
Composure
Initiative
Results Orientation
Drive & Energy*
* 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 Assessment
Each competency has multiple measurement opportunities during
the 8-hour assessment.
Assessors rate each competency on a scale of 1 to 5.
8-Hour Assessment
Center with
6 students
$1,500 Fee
Three OSI Trained
Assessors Evaluate
All Activities
Assessors Must
Come to Consensus
on Overall Scores
Competency Assessment
Depending 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.
One Assessor
Delivers Group’s
Feedback to
Student
Badges
Assigned for
Level of Mastery
(1-5)
Course Credit
Possible for
Competencies
Assessed at
Proficient (3) or
Higher
Coaching Plan
for Deficient
Competencies
$1,500 Fee per
Competency
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
Portfolio Assessments
10 Student Workshops Completed
Credit Yet to Be Awarded
Competency Assessment Centers
Fall 2013: 3 Centers Completed; 2 Centers Scheduled
18 Students Assessed; 6 w/o Bachelor’s Degree
176 Badges Awarded (Course Credit Pending SACS Approval)
Spring 2014: 15-20+ Centers Planned
Prior Learning
Assessment (PLA)
Dr. Susan Galbreath, CPA
Associate Provost
Academic Administration and Strategic Initiatives
and
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
TICUA “Drive to 55” Conference
November 7, 2013