What's Happening?
The Learning Evaluation and Recognition for the Next Generation (LEARN) Commission, established in 2024 by AACRAO and Sova with support from Ascendium Education Group, is focusing on reforming the credit evaluation system in higher education. This initiative
aims to address the complexities of transferring academic credits between institutions, including high school dual enrollment and credit for prior learning. The commission's recent report provides recommendations for evolving learning evaluation policies to better accommodate the diverse needs of 21st-century learners. The webcast series, part of this initiative, seeks to engage stakeholders in discussions on how to modernize these processes to enhance the applicability of prior learning and support credential completion.
Why It's Important?
The reform of the credit evaluation system is crucial for reducing the time and cost associated with obtaining academic credentials, which can significantly impact student enrollment and retention. By streamlining credit transfers and recognizing prior learning, educational institutions can offer more flexible pathways for students, potentially increasing access to higher education. This initiative could lead to a more efficient educational system that better meets the needs of a diverse student population, ultimately contributing to a more educated workforce and a stronger economy.
What's Next?
The LEARN Commission will continue to engage with educational institutions and stakeholders to implement the recommendations from their report. Future discussions and webcasts will likely focus on the practical application of these recommendations and the integration of technology and AI in credit evaluation processes. Institutions may begin to adopt these new practices, leading to broader changes in how academic credits are evaluated and transferred across the educational landscape.
