Delawareans could save thousands of dollars and months off the time required to complete their postsecondary (post-high school) education and training by receiving credit for prior learning (CPL), or credit for what they already know from work and other experiences outside the classroom. Delaware postsecondary education institutions collaboratively developed the Delaware Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Policy Framework, which provides CPL guidance for Delaware colleges, universities and post-high school education programs.
CPL (sometimes called prior learning assessment) is rooted in the idea that students should receive credit whenever college-level learning occurs, including learning that takes place outside traditional classroom settings. CPL is awarded not for experience, but for the skills and competencies gained from prior learning and experience. Examples include learning that occurs in the military or during apprenticeship programs. This credit means big savings on time and tuition costs, especially for working adult students. The result is a postsecondary education and workforce system that values experiences, empowers youth and adult learners, and gives individuals more opportunities to upskill and pursue careers that provide a living wage.
Highlights
The Delaware CPL Policy Framework guides policy and procedure at Delaware postsecondary educational institutions. The framework:
- Helps increase access to careers that are recession-resistant and wealth-generating;
- Outlines the importance of creating CPL education systems that are timely, financially accessible, and community-centered;
- Shares with Delaware institutions ways to best evaluate prior learning and experiences for awarding credit and clock hours in credential, degree and apprenticeship programs;
- Calls for institutions to develop and consistently apply a fee structure for CPL education that is transparent and accessible to all students, faculty, staff and stakeholders;
- Recommends institutions charge fees for CPL assessments based on services performed in prior learning rather than credits awarded, if charged at all;
- Recommends any CPL fee structures include fee waivers based on eligibility;
- Reinforces that no student should be denied access to CPL due to the student’s inability to pay;
- Reinforces that CPL education is an institutional decision, and highlights the Delaware colleges, universities, other postsecondary education providers, and state agencies that are helping to develop and deliver CPL education in Delaware; and
- Recognizes that a quality CPL education system requires an ongoing process of continuous improvement.
Background
To create a framework that best values the diversity of students, their identifies, their backgrounds and their learning, a partnership was formed by Delaware colleges, universities, career-preparation institutions, state agencies and workforce partners. Delaware CPL Policy Framework partners included:
- Delaware’s colleges and universities
- Delaware State University
- Delaware Technical Community College
- Goldey-Beacom College
- University of Delaware
- Wilmington University
- The Adult Education Divisions of the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District, POLYTECH School District, and Sussex County Vocational Technical School District
- The Delaware Department of Labor
- DDOE’s Adult and Prison Education, Delaware Higher Education, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) offices
The framework development process was facilitated by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).
