Foreign Language Prior Learning Assessment PLA portfolio

[sanantone]

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

Thank you for the additional information. So, you're saying that I could complete one portfolio and the required PLA course at Learning Counts and not have to worry about taking PLA-100 and PLA-200 in order to do more portfolios through TESC? Do the credits earned through TESC portfolios count toward the residency requirements under the Per Credit Tuition Plan? Also, can someone do portfolios for science labs?