CI in 2011 completed a breakout, Spring 2015; possible legislation AB 343. SACC has formed a work group to look at all credit for prior learning, not just for veterans. Chancellor's Office is gathering data from the field on what is being done locally to grant credit for prior learning and military experience. In July 2016 the Chancellor's Office distributed guidelines to field on the awarding of credit for prior learning.
Awarding Credit for Prior Military Experience AB2462, July 5, 2016
Whereas, United States veterans from all branches of military service learn skills and often have educational experiences while serving in the military that may be comparable to associate- or baccalaureate-level coursework;
Whereas, Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC), which was created in 1972 to address the need to provide educational opportunities for service members, has worked with the American Council on Education (ACE) to pursue the goal of helping veterans achieve their higher education goals by working with colleges and setting standards to help military members and veterans with course credit, especially to avoid excessive loss of previously earned credit and coursework duplication;
Whereas, SOC and ACE seek to obtain recognition and use of the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services in evaluating and awarding academic credit for military training and experience, and, in accordance with the recommendations listed in the guide, currently fifty California community colleges apply credit for educational experiences during military service toward the associate degree while all 23 California State University (CSU) campuses apply credit for educational experiences during military service toward the baccalaureate degree; and
Whereas, Credit by exam is an established process for awarding credit to students who have not taken a given course but who wish to demonstrate comparable skills and knowledge through an examination process that may include written, oral, or skill demonstration components;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge local senates to apply credit for educational experiences during military service toward the associate degree – including the fulfillment of general education, major coursework, and other degree requirements – in accordance with the recommendations listed in the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges provide training on the use of the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services by enlisting assistance from colleges that are already using it to apply credit toward the associate degree; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges encourage colleges to offer credit by exam for veterans wishing to demonstrate comparable skills and understanding of course content through examination means established by discipline faculty. http://www.militaryguides.acenet.edu/
MSC Disposition: Local Senates