Advancing Innovation in Work and Learning | feb. 18, 2021
In her early 20s, Kiabeth Santos was well on her way to achieving her goal of becoming a nurse. But then life — as it often does — got in the way.
Now, at 31, this graduate of what she calls “life college” also holds a university degree and works as a business development manager at a forensic testing lab in Illinois. Among the most valuable tools Santos used on her journey: prior learning assessment, which allowed her to receive college credit for the expertise she gained through life experiences.
She earned PLA by taking exams, writing essays documenting her prior learning, and requesting an evaluation of what she learned from a sales class she took through her employer.
Postsecondary education institutions have been awarding credit based on PLA since the 1970s. Yet recent research from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, a Strada affiliate, and the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education showed about 1 in 10 students at 72 participating institutions received credit for prior learning, down from 1 in 4 10 years ago.
Other findings show what a difference-maker PLA can be — not only for students, but for the institutions they attend:
PLA students save time and money.
PLA students were more likely to complete their education.
PLA students earn more credits at their institutions than non-PLA students.
PLA can play an important role in addressing racial and social equity gaps in postsecondary education.
WHAT WILL GET US BACK TO WORK How do Americans feel about hiring practices and the education and training opportunities employers provide? What barriers are Americans facing that educators and employers can tackle together? Join Strada Center for Education Consumer Insights researchers and expert guest panelists at 2 p.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 24 for our Public Viewpoint webinar, “How To Help Americans Get Back to Work.” Through our Strada Public Viewpoint research, we’ve talked to tens of thousands of Americans about their experiences with work and education during the pandemic.
NEW LEADER FOR CAEL
Workforce development veteran Earl Buford will join the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning as president in April. He now serves as chief executive officer of Partner4Work, the leader of the public workforce system for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, where he manages public and private funds to deliver innovative solutions to ensure current and future needs of businesses and job seekers are met. Buford is a nationally recognized leader in responding to changing needs across postsecondary education, employers, industry groups, and workforce development sectors.
TODAY'S 'THE HYBRID CAMPUS' WEBINAR
Could the dislocations brought on by COVID-19 lead to a long-term upside? Join Strada’s Ben Wildavsky and expert panelists Cole Clark, managing director — higher education at Deloitte; Maurie McInnis, president, Stony Brook University; Jeff Selingo, higher education author; and Marni Baker Stein, provost, Western Governors University for a webinar discussion at 2 p.m. today. The conversation, "The Hybrid Campus: A Postpandemic Vision of Higher Education, was inspired by a new Deloitte report developed in partnership with Strada Education Network.
SEEKING ROADTRIPPERS
For 20 years, Roadtrip Nation has been sending people on road trips in its green RV to expand their ideas of what careers — and lives — could look like. Now, in the wake of an uncertain year, Roadtrip Nation is giving three people the opportunity to see how they can learn in-demand skills and find fulfillment along the way. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28, and those selected will travel the country talking to people who work in skilled trades — from IT to construction to health care, plus other growing industries and fields.
Lessons Earned
In our podcast, we explore bold ideas to help Americans navigate between learning and earning throughout their lives.
