Final Early Identification for Prior Learning Assessment (IITG Panel) Presentation.pptx

Empire State University has a long and robust commitment for including college-level learning for courses offered at the institution, transfer credits, and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits. For this grant project initiatives developed include early interventions for relatable student personas to illustrate the potential for using PLA and a preliminary prior learning intake form and professional development.

1. Early Identification for Prior Learning Assessment (IITG Panel) SUNY CIT Presentation, May 2024 Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein, Carl Burkart, and Amy Giaculli

2. Agenda Empire State University has a long and robust commitment for including college-level learning for courses offered at the institution, transfer credits, and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits. For this grant project initiatives developed include early interventions for relatable student personas to illustrate the potential for using PLA and a preliminary prior learning intake form and professional development What is Prior Learning? Prior Learning at Empire State University The Problem We are Trying to Solve Solutions This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

3. What is Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)? Definition “The various methods that colleges, universities, and other education or training providers use to assess learning that a student has obtained outside of the traditional academic environment” – Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. Timeline 1945 – ACE evaluates military training 1955 – AP exams developed 1967– CLEP exams 1971 – Empire State College founded 1972 – CAEL founded 1974 – First SUNY PLA policy 2004-2009 – EU develops PLA guidelines 2012 – PLAIO founded (plaio.org) 2014 – First VPL conference 2023 – Revised SUNY PLA policy

4. PLA at Empire State University Since 1971, Empire State University has maintained a robust commitment to the idea that students should be awarded credit for verifiable college-level learning regardless of where or how it was acquired. We use the umbrella term of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to describe the process that allows students to earn credits from: standardized exams portfolio assessment [individualized prior learning ( iPLA )] pre-evaluated credentials and training [professional learning evaluations (PLE)] Credit is awarded for what students know, not for what they have done. We follow a four-phased approach.

5. Is PLA right for me? Early Identification of Potential PLE & iPLA Prior Learning Assessment Phases Collaborating with mentor/advisor and professional staff to identify specific PLE & iPLA to include in degree program PLE – verify & submit documentation iPLA -finalize key learning topics/ concepts to include in learning description Awarding/ transcription of prior learning credit

6. The Problem We Are Trying To Solve The problem: No comprehensive system to collect potential PLA at beginning of student lifecycle. Students may take unnecessary classes PLA is a multifaceted and an unfamiliar concept Barriers exist at different stages of the student lifecycle. The solution: Creating early interventions and resources stemming from the recommendations from the Office of Academic Affairs’ Action Plan.

7. Our Process Retreats/Consultation/Stakeholder input (for each stage) – OAA Action Plan Committee that was a follow-up to committee work – Intake form discussed and mocked-up in 2022/2023 then grant Personas – committee work and consultation with support staff, professionals, and faculty across units and student life span – OneStop , Recruitment, Student Success, AS, Faculty, Careers, etc. PLA expertise and marketing expertise – student compilation PLE – Problem identified and the started working on searchable database with Registrar’s Office categories identified at the retreat Intake Form – 1st mock-up with 2022/2023 committee, converted to WebForms and included multiple opportunities for feedback loops – Fall Academic Presentation 2023 & Annual Meeting 2024 presentation Professional Development – Survey & Presentations - with look at form, asked for faculty and staff to give open ended feedback and input into PD needs, etc. Orientation data – currently two questions are asked in the online orientation: Based upon what you have learned about prior learning, do you think you may pursue credit for prior learning? Please share a few words about the field(s) in which you may pursue credit for prior learning (open textbox).

8. Solutions Focus of the grant is on the Exploration and Consultation Phases. Grant deliverables include: relatable student personas to illustrate the potential for using PLA in degree planning, a searchable PLE database for certificate, licenses, and evaluated trainings, and a prior learning intake tool concomitant professional development resources Is PLA right for me? Early Identification of Potential PLE & iPLA Prior Learning Assessment Phases Collaborating with mentor/advisor and professional staff to identify specific PLE & iPLA to include in degree program

9. Personas Kai - Early Explorers : New to college and new to the workforce, students that are pursuing a degree for future career success The goal is to use these personas to humanize different levels of PLA  to create a simple way to identify student backgrounds and lifestyle considerations. These will assist with marketing, mentoring, and future student planning materials.  Morgan - Mid-Career Workers : Professionals who have mastery of job functions looking to complete a degree to round out a resume or complement retirement or change careers Quinn - Evolving Professionals : Workers with some professional experience or training pursuing a degree to gain additional knowledge and seek advancement. Dale - Lifelong Learners : Intellectually curious students who seek to explore degree options in a broad array of disciplines. These students may or may not utilize prior learning opportunities as part of their degree plan.

10. Professional Learning Evaluations Students Select from list Enter additional certifications Office of Prior Learning Researches credit possibilities Documentation Instructions Students/Mentors Search by Organization or keyword Contains ACE, NCCRS, and SUNY Empire Evaluations Includes: Course equivalencies, Date ranges, Documentation Instructions

11. PLA Intake Form One recommendation from the university community was to have an intake form to assist with the early identification of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

12. Professional Development How to get and interpret Professional Learning Evaluations (PLE) Interpreting Student Artifacts & Knowledge Areas Nuts & Bolts of the Intake Form and Who to Consult Working with Students  

13. Advice/Lessons Learned Administration buy-in/resourcing Work closely with all stakeholders and have constant check-ins with collaborative partners For platforms and multimedia focus on substance and flexibility because there will be needed edits Revise, revise, revise – get feedback at all stages & adapt as needed Engage the university community – presentations & surveys Stay within the scope of the project Be comfortable with unknowns but track questions/needs  

14. Intake Form Tour https://bit.ly/PLAIntakeDraft

15. Q & A