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| Isaac Ortega |
Credit for prior learning is not a new concept in higher
education. For many years, Tempe-based
Rio Salado College has offered students the opportunity to earn credit for what
they already know through standardized exams such as College Level Equivalency
Program (CLEP), and advanced placement evaluation and exams recommended by the American Council on
Education.
Effective July 1, 2012, Rio Salado is expanding its prior
learning options to include portfolio evaluation through The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).
"Credit for prior learning, helps students in three
ways," said Kishia Brock, vice president of student affairs at Rio Salado
College. "First it reduces the cost of education by letting students
package what they've learned through military or occupational training and get
credit for it."
"Second, it impacts time to completion. By reducing
redundancy, students can accelerate the process of earning a degree,"
Brock said. "Research shows that if you can do something in less time, you
are going to be more successful in accomplishing that goal."
"The third thing is psychological," Brock
explained. "Acknowledging what they've already done helps non-traditional
adult students feel less like they are starting at a disadvantage. It helps
them establish the confidence they need to get through that first semester or
that first year and complete a degree or certificate."
Isaac Ortega, a local police officer said that
being able to test out of foreign language classes helped
him expedite his education and be prepared for promotions at work.
“Credit for prior learning opened up more
time for me to take other classes I needed,” Ortega said. “And having a degree
will help me to be more qualified when advancement opportunities come along.”
By improving portability of existing skill sets, credit for
prior learning also promotes an adaptable workforce.
When changes in technology have an impact on employability,
it's important for workers to be able to update their skills without spending a
lot of time on the things they already know.
"It's a part of our role as a community college to
support the local workforce," said Linda Lukey, director of testing
services at Rio Salado College. "By including portfolio evaluation through
CAEL, we are improving the ability of military veterans, displaced workers and
anyone looking for career advancement to get credit for what they already know
and get back to work that much faster."
Rio Salado students can now earn credit for prior learning through the
following options:
- · Credit by Exam - CLEP, DSST, department challenge exams, advanced placement testing
- · ACE Credit by Evaluation - Based on ACE evaluation of military and corporate training programs
- · CAEL Portfolio Evaluation - Evaluation of work products and personal demonstrations of competency