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Adult Learning Consortium

The USG Adult Learning Consortium is a select number of institutions working individually and collaboratively to improve services and programs for adults who have decided to enter the USG system to earn either a one-year certificate, associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The Consortium seeks to implement programs which are aligned with strategic workforce needs, test models of learning and share results and resources to achieve a set of prescribed goals and objectives. In 2009, five USG institutions were selected through an RFP process to form the Consortium. There are now thirteen full consortium member institutions. Together, Consortium members have voted on and agreed to a set of policies and procedures that leverage the strength and resources of the Consortium and facilitate college completion of adult learners.  

The work of the Consortium continues through the Regents Advisory Committee on Adult Learning, which features representation from all USG institutions.  

CONSORTIUM ACTIVITIES

  • Conduct Adult Learner Focused Inventory (ALFI) surveys of adult students and faculty/staff perceptions.
  • Establish an Adult Learning Committee as point of access for adult students.
  • Seek membership in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium (SOC).
  • Provide professional development for faculty, including development of a network of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) portfolio assessors.
  • Develop adult-targeted, online, interdisciplinary degrees: a new online B.S. with a major in Organizational Leadership was approved in June 2011.
  • Provide iTunesU website as a repository for resources about adult and military friendly practices.
  • Conduct outreach to adult learners, including the military.
  • Conduct a public awareness campaign that includes broadcast, radio and internet outreach efforts.
  • Support the use of the DiscoverYourGoal.net portal website as the repository of all institutional websites and the landing page for promotional efforts.

CONSORTIAL AGREEMENTS

  • The ALC adheres to the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) Ten Standards for Assessing Learning.
  • The ALC works from the principle that nationally recognized, standardized PLA options, such as CLEP, and institutionally recognized challenge exams will be considered before institutions develop individualized assessments, such as portfolio option.
  • ALC institutions agree to accept assessed and transcripted courses from other consortium members.
  • ALC institutions will accept all available CLEP tests for all 20 years for which test scores are available from the College Board, uniformly using the American Council on Education’s recommended passing score, and transfer CLEP credit from other ALC institutions without additional fees.
  • ALC institutions agree to develop and host an Adult Learner web portal on the institution’s main website.
  • ALC institutions have adopted a common course, and standard procedures and funding mechanisms for the PLA portfolio option.

Adult Learning Consortium Summit Video Presentations