Ten Institutions Selected to Inaugural Credit for Prior Learning Pathways Cohort

Participants will receive comprehensive support to crosswalk early childhood education credentials to academic curricula 

PITTSBURGH – The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and the Council for Professional Recognition are pleased to announce the first cohort of their partnership’s Credit for Prior Learning-Early Childhood Education Cohort (CPL-ECE) program. The following colleges and universities are receiving comprehensive technical assistance through December 2026, including individualized credit crosswalk recommendations and participation in quarterly peer-learning roundtables:

• Atlanta Technical College, Georgia
• Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Ohio
• Kansas State University, Kansas
• Lane College, Tennessee
• Metropolitan Community College, Nebraska
• Montgomery College, Maryland
• Northern Virginia Community College, Virginia
• Prairie State College, Illinois
• Rogue Community College, Oregon
• Tougaloo College, Mississippi

The strategic partnership combines CAEL’s expertise developing CPL crosswalks with the Council for Professional Recognition’s industry-leading, competency-based early childhood education credentials. CPL crosswalks connect sources of prior learning, such as industry-recognized credentials, with corresponding courses and credit hours offered by higher ed institutions. Once established, they reduce time-to-degree, preserve academic rigor, and improve pathways to career advancement.

“Congratulations to our inaugural cohort members, who were chosen based on their demonstrated institutional readiness, leadership commitment, and existing program capacity to support adult learners in this critical sector,” said Earl Buford, CAEL president. “Our collaboration with them and the Council for Professional Recognition creates a valuable opportunity to scale our collective impact along critical education-employment pathways.”

“This inaugural cohort represents an important step forward in recognizing the value, rigor, and relevance of early childhood educators’ prior learning and professional experience,” said Dr. Calvin E. Moore Jr., CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition. “By working with CAEL and these forward-thinking institutions, we are helping create more seamless, equitable pathways for CDA® credential holders and other early childhood professionals to translate their demonstrated competencies into meaningful college credit, career advancement, and long-term impact for the children and families they serve.”

The cohort officially commenced its activities with a virtual kickoff meeting on April 30, followed by its initial quarterly meeting on June 2 that focused on the benefits and fundamentals of CPL. This session established a foundational understanding of CPL research, standards, and its critical impact on workforce development for early childhood educators.

CPL boosts completion rates among adult learners by 17%. It also saves students significant time and money. Because CPL students persist and complete at greater rates, they also complete more traditional credit hours.

CPL can also offer recruiting impact: CAEL research has found that the vast majority (84%) of likely enrollees said the ability to receive CPL would significantly influence their choice of institution. More than 40 million Americans have completed some college but have no credential. Another 84 million have never enrolled.

Over the coming months, cohort members will engage in intensive crosswalk development, mapping the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential and emerging Child Development Professional (CDP) credential to college credit to ensure a seamless transition for educators seeking advanced degrees. The next quarterly meetings are scheduled for August and October 2026.

In January, CAEL and the Council for Professional Recognition will host a public webinar to share program findings and introduce resources to support broader CPL implementation in early childhood education.

About CAEL

Recognizing that adult learners are the backbone of the U.S. economy, CAEL, a national nonprofit membership organization established in 1974, helps forge a clear, viable connection between education and career success, providing solutions that promote sustainable and equitable economic growth. CAEL opens doors to opportunity in collaboration with workforce and economic developers; postsecondary educators and trainers; employers and industry groups; and foundations and other mission-aligned organizations, engaging with these stakeholders to foster a culture of innovative, lifelong learning that helps individuals, and their communities, thrive. Learn more at cael.org.

About the Council for Professional Recognition

The Council for Professional Recognition advances career pathways for early childhood educators through high-quality, competency-based credentialing. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings including infant-toddler, preschool, family child care, and home visitor programs. As a nonprofit organization, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing. To date, well over one million Child Development Associate® (CDA) credentials have been issued around the world. For more information, visit cdacouncil.org.

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