As CAEL celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s not surprising that one of its founding principles, recognition of prior learning, has been in the spotlight. But credit for prior learning (CPL) is not only a rightfully recurring highlight of CAEL’s past; it is the springboard to its future. After all, research continues to illustrate CPL’s profound impact on student success. Overall, earning CPL credits boosts completion rates for adult learners by 17%. Along the way, it saves them time (9–14 months for students receiving 12 or more CPL credits) and money ($1,500 to $10,200 in tuition dollars).
The benefits aren’t limited to students. CAEL’s research shows that because CPL boosts persistence and graduation it increases traditional (read: paid) credit completion. It also offers recruiting advantages. Another CAEL study found that the vast majority (84%) of likely enrollees said that the ability to receive CPL would significantly influence their choice of institution.
CPL is also a natural bridge to better support underserved adult learners and workers. It is an inherently inclusive practice, validating the diverse experiences of learners from all walks of life. The CPL completion boost is 25% for adults at community colleges, 24% for Hispanic adults, 13% for Black adults and 19% for Pell Grant recipients. And because CPL entails traditional academic programs integrating on-the-job education and training, it also builds organic links between learning and work. As tech-driven workforce changes accelerate and skills-based hiring increases, that’s more critical than ever.
There’s just one problem. Despite all the upside, only about 10% of adult learners receive CPL. Ironically, although findings suggest that Black and lower-income adult learners can benefit as much (and even more in some cases), they were the least likely to receive CPL. CPL may be tragically underutilized, but it is not an alien concept—at least not among students planning to attend college. Most (60%) report being familiar with CPL. Even more (79%) agree that the concept of CPL is straightforward or clear.
We are proud of CAEL’s legacy as a pioneer of prior learning practices, but we believe that with that legacy also comes a responsibility. As we begin CAEL’s next half-century of service, we are committing to scaling CPL to the levels needed to support a modern and thriving education-employment ecosystem. That’s why I am thrilled to announce the public launch of CAEL’s CPL Provider Network. The network is a groundbreaking initiative designed to champion the needs of adult learners and workers by providing prospective students with a free, easy-to-use list of postsecondary institutions that can recognize their prior learning experiences.
The CPL Provider Network features a free, interactive map that allows users to find CPL opportunities by region. It includes direct links to the CPL resources each provider hosts. Offering inspiration from best practices that have emerged from decades of collaboration, the CPL Provider Network onboarding process also includes tips on building an effective CPL landing page for educational institutions, something critical to prospective and current CPL students alike. In addition to adult learners and workers, the CPL Provider Network is a valuable resource for educators, trainers and even employers. Any student or organization seeking easier access to CPL opportunities across the nation will benefit from this national public search tool. In fact, CAEL is sharing the CPL Provider Network with high schools, local and regional workforce boards, economic development boards, chambers of commerce and military-affiliated institutions nationwide. Inclusion in the CPL Provider Network is free for all CAEL institutional members. If you’re an institutional member, you can submit your complimentary CPL Provider Network listing at cael.org. Nonmembers can get a listing in the CPL Provider Network for $1,000 annually.
The CPL Provider Network is just the latest in the suite of CAEL services dedicated to advancing CPL. As a reminder, Credit Predictor Standard is free to all CAEL institutional members. (Other member types, including individuals, can access the platform for $500 annually.) In just a few minutes, it can generate individualized estimates of how much time and money CPL can save students. Credit Predictor Pro, which we introduced in 2022, integrates with Credit Predictor Standard. It offers even more features to students as well as administrative users at the institution. You can read some recent examples in this article that explore how several of our members are using these resources to enhance not only CPL but recruiting and student engagement.
I hope you’ll consider joining the CPL Provider Network. If you do, I encourage you to make it part of an integrated CPL strategy that includes other supportive elements such as our Credit Predictor resources. As is the case throughout the education, employment and workforce development ecosystem, we can achieve far greater impact when resources function in unison within a greater complement of collaboration.
From enrollment, retention and completion to aligning curricula with the latest workforce demands, it’s clear that CPL offers equitable solutions to some of higher ed’s most pressing problems. Equally clear is that we must do everything we can to increase CPL awareness and participation. For more information about how your CAEL membership can help you do that and more, visit the CAEL Member Hub. It’s where postsecondary institutions, workforce boards, employers, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and other mission-aligned organizations come together to take their impact to the next level.
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