The Prior Learning Assessment Model at Valdosta State University

Prior Learning Assessment WorkshopCallaway Gardens

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Sharon Gravett, Jerry Merwin, Beverley Blake,

Mary Ellen Dallman, Barbara Stanley & Sean Lennon

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Valdosta State University One of two Regional

Universities in the USG Serves 41 Counties in

South Georgia 11,000+ Students

2,000 are age 24 or older

PLA Fit with VSU Strategic Goals

From Valdosta State University’s Strategic Planning Goals: 5 Goals in 5 Years Enrollment & Retention

Assess and implement changes in faculty load, facilities, course offerings & class scheduling to enhance the use of university resources in support of planned growth.

Increase number of students seeking certification and licensure renewal.

Develop a proposal for programs and program delivery strategies that meet the needs of non-traditional degree seeking students.

Financial Support Improve profile in the Valdosta community, by continuing to

develop external/community partnerships.

PLA Model at VSU

Students and Case Histories Organizational Strategy and Key

Players Website and PLA Course Recruitment of Students and Faculty Unanticipated Directions

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Students and Case HistoriesJerry Merwin

Student Background Course

Glenn (mid-30s)

Six years experience with Internet Service Provider (ISP)

ACED 3100 Computer SystemsACED 3400 Applied Computer Technology

Betty (late-30s)

Seven years working in group home for teenagers

SOCI 3190 Clinical SociologySOCI 4540 Internship in Sociology

Charles (mid-40s)

Retired from military as noncommissioned officer, trained others

PERS 2160 Perspectives on LeadershipPERS 2690 Multicultural America

Don (late-30s)

Twelve years in computers and networking, technical courses, Microsoft Certification

CS 4121Data Com. and Networks ICS 4122 Data Com. and Networks II

George (mid-30s)

Ten years in law enforcement, field training officer

CRJU 4100 Seminar CRJU 4910 Internship

Dean (early-50s)

Thirty years as manager, owns his own business

ACED 1100 Introduction to BusinessACED 2050 Communications for Workplace

Student Case 1

Charles (AA Male, Age mid-40s)

Education Major – Undeclared Freshman Retired from the U.S. Army as noncommissioned

officer Has certificates for training related to human

resource functions, leadership Provided training on Culture –

Islamic Religion & Values Black History Women’s Issues

Preparing PLA for Courses PERS 2160 Perspectives on Leadership PERS 2690 Multicultural America

Student Case 2

Betty (AA Female, Age late-30s)

Sociology Major – Junior Administers group cottage & Serves on Treatment Team

Coordinates with Social Services and Public Schools Has training related to behavior management, working

with at-risk and unmanageable children, child abuse and neglect, managing suicidal teens, nonviolent crisis intervention

Preparing PLA for Courses SOCI 3190 Clinical Sociology SOCI 4540 Internship in Sociology

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Organizational Strategy and Key Players

Sheri Gravett

Who we are What we’ve done Who we involved and why How we organized—

Working Group Supporting Leadership Group

Who we are

PLA Working Group established in 2005: College of Education faculty:

Ada Burnette, Mary Ellen Dallman, Adele Ducharme, Barbara Stanley, and Sean Lennon, Heather Brasell

College of Arts and Sciences faculty: Beverley Blake, Christine James, Jerry Merwin, and

Jim Nienow, Arsalan Wares Registrar’s Office: Karen Shepard, Associate

Registrar Academic Affairs: Sheri Gravett, Assistant Vice

President for Academic Affairs

Who we are (continued)

PLA Working Group established in 2005: University System of Georgia Liaison:

Patricia Paterson, Executive Director Teacher Quality Initiatives, P-16 Initiatives

PLA Consultants: Morry Fiddler and Catherine Marienau,

Professors and Faculty Mentors in the School for New Learning at DePaul University

Who we are (continued)

PLA Supporting Leadership Group also established in 2005: Vice President for Academic Affairs: Louis Levy Vice President for Student Affairs: Kurt Keppler Associate Vice President for Strategic Research and

Analysis: Marsha Krotseng Dean of the College of Education: Phil Gunter Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: Linda Calendrillo Dean of the Graduate School: Brian Adler Dean of the College of the Arts: John Gaston Registrar: Chuck Hudson Director of Admissions: Walter Peacock Director of College of Education Advising Center: Maggie

Roberts

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Administrative Implementation of PLA Project at VSU

Fall

2005

Spring

2006

Summer

2006

Fall

2006

Spring

2007

Fall

2007

Summer

2007

Spring

2008

Faculty Assessors

Rudy Prine (CRJU 4910 and 4900, 4 evaluations)

Cheri Tillman (PERS 2690, 2170, 2730, 2799, 4 evaluations)

Vesta Whisler (ACED 3100, 3400, 2 evaluations)

Mary Willis (ACED 1100, ACED tba, 2 evaluations)

PSYC faculty (PSYC 3900, 1 evaluation)

Faculty Assessors

Carl Hand (SOCI 3190, 4540, 2 evaluations)

Chunlei Liu (CS 4345, 0 evaluations)

Zhiguang Xu (CS 4121, 4122 0 evaluations)

Nanci Scheetz (ASL I and II, 6 evaluations)

Linda De la Garza (CHEM 1211, 1212, 0 evaluations)

Gayle Taylor (4 NURS courses, 8 evaluations)

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Website and PLA Course Jerry Merwin & Beverley Blake

PLA 2000 Prior Learning Documentation

Marylhurst University Course Model (30 Years of Prior Learning Assessment http://www.marylhurst.edu/learningassessment/)

Assignments: Essays on Life Experiences Resume Autobiography Chronology of Learning Activities Educational Degree Plan Portfolio Project Proposal Outline of Documentation Portfolio Draft Final Portfolio

Recruitment of Students Barbara Stanley & Sean Lennon

Identify student entry points Admissions office Registrar’s office “ABC” Information Evenings – Adults

Back to College Alternative Routes – Teacher Education Office of Minority Affairs Oasis Advising Program Faculty conversations with students

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Recruitment of Students

Publicity in multiple forms & places Information flyers Brochures Letters to prospective students

Speak to small groups of stakeholders Task force committee members “visit” Dean’s Council Executive Committee of each College Groups of interested faculty

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Progress, Developments & Unanticipated Directions

Mary Ellen Dallman & Jerry Merwin

Pilot Project Summary Anticipated Credit for Students

Currently in PLA 2000 What’s Next…

NursingAmerican Sign Language InterpretingCriminal Justice

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Questions?