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by CAEL on Nov 01, 2020
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) received funding from Lumina Foundation and Strada Education Network from 2018-2020 to partner with several organizations to conduct original research and a broad landscape analysis focused on policy and practice issues related to the recognition of prior learning. The landscape analysis focuses on issues arising in the practice of the recognition of prior learning, policies that encourage or limit its adoption, and key research needs and future directions for the field. One of the research projects was conducted in partnership with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), examining the use and impact of prior learning assessment (PLA) on adult student outcomes at 72 postsecondary institutions.
For more than 50 years, colleges and universities have used a range of different methods to award college credit for learning that takes place outside of the classroom-particularly learning from work, life, and military experiences. These methods-often called prior learning assessment (PLA) or credit for prior learning (CPL)-value the learning that many adult students bring with them to college. CAEL recently conducted research in partnership with WICHE and 72 postsecondary institutions to explore the benefits of PLA for adult learners. Data on more than 230,000 adult students showed that those with PLA credits were far more likely to complete a postsecondary credential. Credential completion was 22 percentage points higher for adult students with PLA than adult students without PLA.
Students with PLA also saved time and money in earning their degrees. And, it wasn't just students who benefitted: in addition to the graduation benefits, institutions also benefited since adults with PLA credit took 17 or more course credits from the institution, compared to adults without PLA credit.
Review a one-page summary, a longer Executive Summary, or the full report and appendices. There are two additional research briefs co-authored by CAEL as part of a series of 12 research briefs in WICHE's landscape study of PLA.
Correction Notice:
We recently discovered that a small subset of the data that informed our recent report 'The PLA Boost' had been duplicated. The good news is that our updated calculations do not affect any of our topline findings; adult students with PLA are more likely to complete credentials, and, whether measured in time, money, or both, PLA reduces their cost of college completion. In fact, it turns out that time savings were greater than originally calculated. Meanwhile, the number of PLA credits associated with improved completion is lower, showing that PLA's benefits occur at even smaller 'doses.'
We've updated the report and its supporting documents below. We've also summarized the quantitative adjustments below:
- Average number of PLA credits earned-the corrected data indicate a lower average number of PLA credits earned by all adult students in the sample (15, compared to the original 24) as well as for the subgroups analyzed
- Cost savings for adult students-the corrected data indicate slightly smaller cost savings for each sector ($1,500 to $10,200, instead of the original $2,200-$11,600)
- Time savings for adult students with PLA credits-the corrected data indicate a greater range of time savings for adult student completers with PLA credits (9 to 14 months, instead of the original 7 to12 months)
- 'Tipping point' analysis for PLA completers-the corrected data indicate that adult students see increased effects with 15 or more PLA credits (the tipping point in the original report was at 30 PLA credits)
We apologize for the data error but think you'll agree that 'The PLA Boost' continues to highlight PLA's benefits to institutions and adult learners as access to postsecondary education is a critical component to the nation's recovery from the pandemic's socioeconomic crises.
Thanks for your understanding, and please let me know if we can answer any questions.
Would you like to explore your options for implementing PLA at your institution? Contact CAEL to schedule a discussion.
Download Research
The PLA Boost: The Full Report
Executive Summary
Appendices
The PLA Boost: Fact Sheet
Recognition of Prior Learning in the 21st Century
Recognizing Prior Learning in the COVID-19 Era
Press Release
Webinar on PLA
Free CPL resources for postsecondary institutions
New: PLA Boost Errata