CAEL Announces State Community College Systems Selected to CPL Community of Practice

Following a multi-month review of dozens of applications, the community college systems of Alabama, Colorado, and North Carolina have been selected for participation in an evidence-based community of practice dedicated to enhancing credit for prior learning (CPL) public policies, CAEL announced this week. Nearly 100 institutions will be represented, with the systems enrolling approximately 900,000 students.

CAEL announced the initiative, a partnership with RAND made possible by funding from ECMC Foundation and Strada Education Foundation, in October. Over the next two years, each participating community college system will receive a stipend and technical assistance, which will be provided by CAEL subject matter experts and tailored to the needs outlined in each system’s application to the community of practice.

“This work directly supports North Carolina’s attainment and workforce goals,” said Seth Marc Kamen, state director of transfer, learning recognition, and credential alignment at the North Carolina Community College System. “Through our partnership with CAEL and RAND, we are strengthening statewide credit for prior learning so adult learners can translate their experience into credentials more efficiently, advancing economic mobility while helping the state meet its long-term education and talent attainment priorities.”

The community of practice will guide each participant in implementing or expanding public policies that address CPL challenges and opportunities, with insight ultimately informing a framework and rubric for scaling CPL policies in any state system.

“Awareness is growing about the profound impact CPL can have in postsecondary education, especially its critical role in workforce and talent development, so it’s no surprise that we received an overwhelming response to this opportunity,” said Earl Buford, CAEL president. “We look forward to partnering with RAND and our community of practice participants as well as to the framework that will emerge from this work as a blueprint any state or system can use to develop or improve CPL policies.”