LearningCounts.org serves as a comprehensive prior learning assessment (PLA) resource to adult learners, postsecondary institutions, employers and workforce organizations. PLA is the evaluation and assessment of an individual’s lifelong learning for college credit leading to degree completion, certification, or professional development. This lifelong learning may be acquired through work, employer training programs, military service, independent study, volunteer or community service, and more.
LearningCounts.org offers a prior learning portfolio development course (CAEL 100: Prior Learning Assessment Theory and Practice), a national roster of expert faculty evaluators, and a host of other ancillary services. Students can build and submit their completed portfolios which demonstrate their prior learning and receive a transcript of potential credit. These portfolios are matched to a LearningCounts.org faculty member so that the individual is assured that their learning is measured by a subject area expert.
As CAEL and partner institutions have demonstrated since the mid-1970s, the PLA process – the opportunity to earn academic credit for college-level learning acquired outside a traditional academic environment – is a boon for adult learners seeking to advance in their undergraduate studies, their careers, or their professional or occupational credentialing. Earning credits through PLA – including those offered through LearningCounts.org – helps adult learners accelerate degree completion while saving them both time and money.
LearningCounts.org facilitates the success of adult learners in conjunction with both the American Council on Education (ACE CREDIT) and the College Board by educating adult learners to the possibility of college credit for learning they may have acquired during their lives.
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) links learning and work. CAEL works at all levels within the higher education, public, and private sectors to make it easier for people to get the education and training they need to attain meaningful, secure employment.