Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

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Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Dr. Susan Galbreath, CPA Associate
ProvostAcademic Administration and Strategic
Initiatives and Director of the Center for
Teaching and Learning TICUA Drive to 55
Conference November 7, 2013
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Current Landscape of Higher Ed
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Current Landscape of Higher Ed
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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
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PLA Asserts
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Prior Learning Assessment Examples
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Prior Learning Assessment Benefits
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Lipscombs Adult Learning Program
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New PLA Options _at_ Lipscomb University
Maximum of 30 credits can be awarded through
prior learning assessment options.
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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.
There is a 70 transcription fee for S graded
portfolios.
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• Awards badges that can be transcripted for course
  credit for Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree

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Competency Assessment
A behavioral-based assessment process relying on
more than 35 years of research by Organization
Systems Internationals (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.
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Lipscomb Badges

• Electronic storage and display
• Sharable with others

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Assessment Center Activities

• 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.
• In-Box Activity
• Individual assessment of efficient and effective
  work product.
• Individual assessment of in-box feedback.
• Presentation and Group Discussion
• Individual assessment of presentation skills.
• Individual assessment in group discussion where
  required to come to a group consensus solution.
• Impromptu Speech
• Individual assessment of presentation skills.

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Competency Assessment
Each competency has multiple measurement
opportunities during the 8-hour assessment.
Assessors rate each competency on a scale of 1 to
5.
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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.
Deficient competencies must be reassessed in a
future assessment center.
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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

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Fast Facts
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Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Dr. Susan Galbreath, CPA Associate
ProvostAcademic Administration and Strategic
Initiatives and Director of the Center for
Teaching and Learning TICUA Drive to 55
Conference November 7, 2013