Prior Learning Assessment today
The current status of Prior Learning Assessment across U.S. institutions varies significantly, compared to our international peers.
An opportunity to explicitly understand what it is that companies really need and where the workforce needs to be re-tooled for economic innovation and growth
annual cost to businesses due to skill gaps
billion lost productivity annually
An opportunity for 140M people to upskill, reskills, and rearticulate what it is that they know and can do within and across industries
of stop outs are over 25 years old
"Defined: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a process by which verifiable learning, acquired outside of a traditional learning environment, is assessed for college-level credit. PLA is a proven intervention that helps learners reduce their educational costs and time to graduation. An effective PLA program can be a source of many positive outcomes, from increased probability of retention and persistence, to learners feeling confident and validated. PLA is a term used to describe learning gained outside a traditional academic environment."
Lumen Learning
The PLA Implementation Spectrum
Every institution defines and implements PLA in a different manner, at a different point in the journey, recognizing different parts of the learner experience. Each have a different philosophy on charging students, reimbursing faculty, and setting time and award expectations for individuals.
Full Adopters
Less than 1% of institutions, these organizations are all inclusive – accepting transfer credits, exams, certifications; evaluating portfolios and offering challenge exams; and engaging with students at any point in the student journey.
Partial Adopters
The majority of institutions are accepting transfer credits, exams like the AP/IB/CLEP, and doing minimal credentialing evaluation. They keep the evaluation process to a very specific window of the student journey.
Non-Adopters
These institutions may be cohorted or differentiated in some way that transfer credit, exams or other credentials can not be clearly mapped into the curriculum.
Gaining ground, yet challenges remain
The landscape continues to evolve, but widespread, consistent implementation remains a challenge in higher education.
Calibrating standards within and across institutions to ensure consistency and fairness in the assessment and recognition of prior learning.
Encouraging more educational institutions to adopt prior learning assessments to increase accessibility.
Creating more consistent and effective tools for assessing prior learning to ensure accurate and equitable credit allocation.
Improving PLA availability, making it easier for students to utilize experiences toward credit without cost and at any time in their learning journey
Gaining a competitive edge
The number one thing that employers are looking for are durable skills - showing up on time, having a drivers license, passing a drug test, being able to write an email and talk to customers. Adult learners have demonstrated these skills giving them a competitive edge. A credential builds on those baseline skills to further increase their value to the workforce.
Workforce Planning
PLA helps organizations identify specific skill gaps between the individual and the job description. By recognizing prior learning, companies improve workforce flexibility, streamline talent development, and allocate resources more effectively.
Industry Leadership
Embracing PLA enhances a company’s reputation and strengthens industry and education partnerships. Businesses that invest in skills-based hiring attract top talent, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Long-term Impact
PLA builds a sustainable talent pipeline, ensuring workforce adaptability and resilience. By valuing employee expertise, organizations foster stronger engagement, improve retention, and achieve better business outcomes.
The community benefits
Evaluating prior learning creates a cross walk between individuals, education and workforce to make meaning of what people know, what they need to know, and where there are bridges for learning.
Employers are hiring the right people to maximize profit and innovation
Educators are providing training and credentials that bridge the gap between demonstrated knowledge and what hiring needs
Individuals are in the right jobs optimizing their career potential and financial independence
