New plan promises experience outside the classroom will earn college credit in Delaware

Work experience could become college credit in Delaware.

Thousands of dollars and months of time could be shaved off university, college or other postsecondary education experience under a new state framework released Tuesday. The plan would allow certain skills, knowledge gathered outside the classroom to earn credits.

The "Delaware Credit for Prior Learning Policy Framework" aims to guide Delaware's higher education institutions as they develop procedures for evaluating such experience, the Department of Education said in a press release. Credits could apply to college degree programs and more, while examples of this work include learning during military service or during apprenticeships.

Students can receive credit for full courses, the department said, if "they can demonstrate they gained the equivalent knowledge and learning."

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Gov. John Carney connected it to building workforce, especially among those who may face barriers.

"Credit for Prior Learning is an innovative and flexible tool for Delawareans to get credit for learning that takes place outside of a traditional classroom, including our neighbors who have experience in the military or in apprenticeship programs," Carney said in a statement. "This program will increase opportunities for many Delawareans that deserve them.”

The framework aims, at a glance:

• 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 an 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
• Recognizes that a quality CPL education system requires an ongoing process of continuous improvement.

Note: This isn't new

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said many colleges commonly grant credit for prior learning — through Advanced Placement courses, other exams or even military service.

"This framework provides certification and degree-granting institutions guidance on other ways students could receive credit for prior learning," Holodick continued in his statement. He called it a tool that "could be especially valuable for returning students and those with non-traditional backgrounds.”

The framework notes credit is not awarded for experience alone, but for college or registered apprenticeship-level learning. While the use of this framework is an "institutional decision," DDOE noted, Delaware colleges, universities, and postsecondary adult education providers have expressed support.

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“UD is committed to expanding students’ access to a great education, so this new framework represents a significant step in advancing that goal," said University of Delaware Provost Laura Carlson in the release. "There are many productive pathways that Delawareans can take to earn a UD degree, and recognizing the credits they have already earned will help increase their mobility among Delaware’s education institutions."

Delaware State University, Wilmington University, and more join the list of institutional partners.

Now, they just need to build the structure.

Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for the USA TODAY Network's Northeast Region and Delaware Online, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.