Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Adult/Non-Traditional Learner | In most cases, this is a person who did not go directly to college or university from high school. This person may be over 23 years old, financially independent from parents, and is or has been employed or pursued other interests after high school. |
| Advanced Placement (AP) Exams | A series of tests that is nationally recognized and was originally created by The College Board for AP High School courses |
| Advisor | A mentor or guide |
| American Council on Education (ACE) | A leading national agency that uses teams of faculty from across the U.S. to recommend and publish college credits for learning that takes place outside of the classroom, e.g. military and workplace |
| Challenge Exam | Tests that can be used to meet pre-requisites (requirements needed to take a course), waive college courses, or earn credits for a course at a particular college or university. When a student takes this test he/she is “challenging” the need to take the course. The college’s faculty creates the test and awards credit for a minimum score, which is usually set by an academic department or instructor. |
| CLEP (College Level Examination Program) | A type of nationally recognized, standardized testing used to grant college credit to students earning satisfactory scores on various examinations |
| College Level Learning | Learning that is equal to the level of learning a student would experience at college or university. To evaluate learning college course learning outcomes (what is learned from a course or experience) are compared with the learning outcomes achieved outside of a traditional college setting. |
| Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) | A national leader in Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), especially portfolio-based PLA |
| Credential, Certification, or Licensure Evaluation | Students may earn college credit by presenting a professional certificate or license for training that has been evaluated by faculty as equal to a college course or courses. Types of learning may include industry certifications, professional licensures, etc. |
| Credit For Prior Learning (CPL) | The college credit that may be awarded through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process |
| Competency-Based Learning/ Education | Competency-Based Learning is structured around measuring learning, instead of learning plus classroom time. Students move forward by proving that they have the knowledge and skills (called competencies) required to succeed in a particular college course, regardless of how long it takes them. More traditional models usually mean that college credit is tied to hours in the formal college setting, such as a classroom. |
| Departmental Exam | A customized test created by a college or university for an individual student to partially complete or complete a course |
| Documentation | Evidence that supports a claim for prior learning experience, e.g. transcripts, licenses, certificates, job descriptions, articles written, created products, letters, evaluations, etc. |
| DSST (formerly DANTES) | A nationally recognized, standardized series of tests in college subjects that is similar to finals or end-of-course tests. |
| Evaluation Credit | A review of non-college learning to determine whether or not college credit may be awarded, or whether the learning is college level. Types of learning may include industry certifications, professional licensures, apprenticeships, military training and service, and independent study. |
| Examination Credit | Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) methods that include standardized tests such as CLEP, and tests created and given by individual colleges and universities |
| Evidence (Direct and Indirect) | The evidence used to prove prior learning - in the form of written documents, work samples, or demonstrations – that are used to support claims for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) • Direct Evidence: Comes directly from the student, e.g. performances, reports, plans, etc. • Indirect Evidence: Information about the student’s achievements from others, e.g. letters of recommendation |
| Excelsior College Examination Program : UExcel | A series of tests offered by Excelsior College, NY for which students may earn college credit |
| Experiential Learning | Skills, knowledge, and values that are learned through work and life experience rather than through formal education (which could include civic engagement, internship, service learning, co-op, etc.) |
| International Baccalaureate Programs (IB) | An international qualification for entry into college, similar to AP. The courses and/or Diploma Program are designed for students aged 16 to 19, and is a two-year program leading to final exams. |
| International Degrees and Credits | Degrees and credit earned in countries other than the U.S., often translated and evaluated by organizations such as the Center for Educational Documentation and WES (World Education Services- International credential evaluation) |
| Joint Services Transcript (JST) | A document that shows a service member's military experience and training with related ACE college credit recommendations |
| Learning Counts | A portfolio prior learning assessment program offered to colleges and students by CAEL |
| Learning Outcomes | The measurable knowledge, skills, and capacity for judgement that a person achieves through a course of study, also described as what a person knows and can do |
| Military Educational Experience Credit, Credit for Military Experience | College credit for military courses and training that is recommended by the ACE College Credit Recommendation Service and awarded via the evaluation of a student’s Joint Services Transcript (JST) |
| MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Courses) | A course of study made available over the Internet without charge to a very large number of people |
| Non-Cognitive Skills | A broad set of knowledge, skills, work habits, and personality traits that are believed to be important for success at college, e.g. self-motivation, confidence, determination, etc. |
| Placement Testing | Colleges use placement tests in subjects like math and English to check the academic skill levels of entering students so that they can place each student in classes at the right level. Placement testing is not for college credit. |
| Portfolio or E-Portfolio | A formal communication (including a written piece) presented by a student to the college as part of a request for college credit for prior learning. The portfolio must clearly demonstrate learning outcomes with enough supporting evidence and documentation for faculty to evaluate it for college credit. |
| Portfolio Narrative (inc. Reflective Thought) | Refers to thinking back on specific experiences and finding answers to questions such as: • What did I learn? • How is this learning related to the learning outcomes of the course for which I am seeking college credit? • How have I applied this learning experience to work, life or other related experiences? • What evidence can I provide to demonstrate my learning? |
| Portfolio Specialist | A trained professional who guides students through the [electronic] application, creation, and submission of portfolios |
| Prior Learning | Learning gained outside of a traditional college environment in a variety of settings, including: • workplace experience and/or training • military training and service • independent study • professional certifications • civic activities • volunteer service • MOOC’s (Massive open online courses) • any learning demonstrated by standardized examinations (national exams such as AP, IB, CLEP, DSST, Excelsior • any learning demonstrated by local exams, (and challenge examinations) |
| Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) | The evaluation of learning gained outside of a traditional college setting, such as the classroom in a regionally accredited college Alt: The process by which a person’s experiential learning is assessed in order to grant college credit, certification, or advanced standing toward further education or training |
| Prior Learning Specialist/Coordinator | An adviser or contact person within a college that assists students with PLA |
| Syllabus | An outline and summary of topics to be covered in a college or training course that includes a course description and learning outcomes |
| Tech Prep | Academic and career-related courses from Vocational Technical schools evaluated for college credit statewide |
| Traditional College Learning | Learning that occurs within on-campus or online college environments for college credit |
| Transcript | A record of the courses taken and grades earned by a student at a particular school, college, or other training |