Foreign Language Prior Learning Assessment PLA portfolio

[MSinger Tesc]

I'd like to clarify something about TESC's portfolio process. An earlier post got it right: students do register for PLA-100 and PLA-200, which are online courses that introduce students to the concept of PLA, and then walk students through the process of putting together a portfolio that addresses multiple courses and credits. Learning Counts has a similar course requirement as well. Most colleges that offer portfolio evaluation also do this.

If you already have successfully done a portfolio, either at Thomas Edison or elsewhere, you don't need to take these classes, though we still recommend PLA-200 as a way to help you organize your materials and structure the process.

As for costs, one earlier post said this:

"The exact cost is $476/credit (x3) for the PLA "classes" ($1428) then you pay another $350 for 12 credits reviewed = $1778.00"

That is only true for out of state, non-enrolled students. Hardly anyone pays that rate. Enrolled students pay the regular tuition--in-state is $170 per credit, out-of-state is $229 per credit for PLA-100 (1 credit) and PLA-200 (2 credits), which total 3 credits between them. After that it is $350 for the first 12 credits evaluated, and $200 for each additional 6 credits. So for an enrolled in-state student, the cost for doing 18 credits via portfolio is $510 + $350 + $200 = $1060. I think it's comparable to the cost for Learning Counts, but better is the fact that the courses for which you earn credit are mapped to the curriculum--in other words, we will help you figure out which courses you need and will apply to your degree at TESC, which an outside service can't do for you.

I hope that helps. The website has lots of information about this: Thomas Edison State College: Prior Learning Assessment. But you can also email us directly at the Center for the Assessment of Learning: plaweb@tesc.edu.

Regards,
Marc Singer, Vice Provost
Center for the Assessment of Learning
Thomas Edison State College