Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Procedure

Approver:: Academic Coordinating Committee
Policy Owner:: Vice-President, Academic
Policy Lead(s):: Executive Director, Registrarial Services
Defining policy:: Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Policy
Effective date:: 2007-09-01
Date of last approval:: 2021-08-25

Procedure Statement

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process to assess skills, knowledge and/or competencies that have been acquired through employment, education (informal/formal), non-formal learning or other life experiences.

Procedure Scope

This procedure applies to candidates who wish to earn academic credit for a course in acknowledgement of significant life and work experience.

Definitions

Conestoga College maintains a glossary of terms specific to the institution. The terms in use for this document are defined below.

Advanced Standing

The granting of a specified block of credit for the completion of a group of courses typically based on the completion of an approved credential or full program, from Conestoga or another institution. These will be noted on the Official Transcript with an ‘EX.’

Challenge Exam

A comprehensive exam (written/oral/demonstration) which measures the learning outcomes for a specific course.

Formal Education

Obtained through completion of credit-based programs and/or courses documented by an institution.

Informal Education

Gained through participation in non-credit learning activities which may include activities such as workplace-based training, seminars and/or workshops.

Non-Formal Learning

Knowledge and/or skills gained through self-directed study, voluntary work, travel and other learning experiences.

Official Transcript

An official academic record produced by the Office of the Registrar which reports a student’s cumulative academic record, courses and credits taken, grades or achievement levels obtained, and credentials earned.

Other Methods of Assessment

Approved method of assessment such as:

Interview
Project
Combination of assessment methods

PLAR Documents

Documents necessary for the PLAR process which may include assessment documentation, guidelines, course outlines, and brochures for potential students.

Portfolio

A comprehensive collection of documented evidence related to the learning outcomes for a specific course.

Program/Program of Study

An academic program that leads to issuance of a post-secondary credential or certificate for a particular area of study.

Work & Life Experience

The prior learning of skills, knowledge or competencies acquired through employment, education (informal/ formal), non-formal learning or other life experiences.

Responsibilities

Academic Schools

Determine and record the eligibility of a course for PLAR in the Student Information System (SIS)
Confirm PLAR assessment availability and date
Ensure PLAR section is entered into SIS and determine the Subject Matter Expert

Assessor / Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Be aware of and adhere to related policies/procedures and guidelines
Develop/review PLAR assessment methods
Evaluate PLAR assessment and submit final grade
Provide advice/feedback to PLAR candidates/students as required

Candidate

Be aware of processes and procedures related to requesting assessment/registration for prior learning
Complete the PLAR Registration Form and submit to the Registrar’s Office adhering to PLAR registration guidelines

Records Officer

Follow established procedure and processes ensuring accuracy and confidentiality of student records

Registration Officer

Process registration/PLAR fee payments
Distribute PLAR Registration Forms as required

Testing Services

Coordinate PLAR challenge exam assessments schedule
Provide proctors for challenge exams

Transfer Credit Officer/Student Pathways Officer

Interview potential PLAR candidate and provide advice, information, and necessary relevant documents
Communicates information to Academic schools and Testing Centre

Procedure

Methods of assessment are approved by the Program Chair and aligned with the nature of the course, its outcomes and the associated course outline.
Credits obtained through PLAR do not guarantee admission into a program.
Registered/currently enrolled Conestoga students may not use the PLAR for the clearance of academic deficiencies and/or to improve grades.
PLAR decisions are final. Only one PLAR may be attempted per course, and no supplemental evaluations will be allowed.
The PLAR fee cannot be refunded, even if the student decides to withdraw from the PLAR assessment.
If the candidate withdraws with written notice before the PLAR assessment is scheduled to be completed, neither a grade nor a refund will be given.
If the candidate obtains a failing grade on their PLAR assessment it will not be included on their transcript but will be calculated into their program GPA.
PLAR assessment grades will be input into SIS and communicated to students.
The length of time needed to complete a PLAR assessment will vary on a course-by-course basis depending on the content and method of assessment (e.g., A course requiring a portfolio assessment will require a longer period of time to complete than one requiring a challenge exam).
Degree programs are required to follow the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) Standards which states

Institutions proposing to award credit or advanced standing for learning that takes place outside formal postsecondary educational institutions have policies and procedures pertaining to prior learning assessment which are fair, reasonable, consistent and publicly accessible o Institutional policy demonstrates that credit will be awarded only for learning that can be demonstrated and not for experience
The institution does not award advanced standing of more than 50% of the total number of the credits in the program based on prior learning assessment.

A candidate interested in obtaining course credits through PLAR must contact the Credit Transfer Office for information on the process.

The Credit Transfer Officer assesses the candidate’s needs and provides the necessary information/documents relevant to the candidate.

confirms if the course is PLAR eligible
provides course outline, book information etc.
provides information regarding the registration process

If the candidate decides to pursue a challenge, they must follow the process for registration by submitting a PLAR Registration Form.

The Registration Officer/Credit Transfer Officer notifies the Academic School regarding the candidate for PLAR registration.

The Academic School:

ensures the PLAR course section is created, entered into SIS and issues the contract.
communicates with the Subject Matter Expert regarding the candidate’s PLAR registration.

If the method of assessment is NOT a challenge exam, the Academic School confirms the assessment process to the:

candidate which includes:

date, time, location of assessment and completion date

Subject Matter Expert

date, time and location of assessment and completion date
details of the assessment methodology/tools

The candidate completes the PLAR assessment as instructed by the Academic School.

The Subject Matter Expert:

evaluates the PLAR assessment
submits the grade to be entered into SIS,
completes the PLAR forms.

The candidate accesses their final grade through the student portal.

If the candidate requests feedback on the results of the PLAR assessment, the academic area will provide it.

Relevant Legislation and Related Documents

Relevant legislation

CAPLA Guidelines (Canadian Association of Prior Learning Assessment)

Revision Log

Date	Details
2011-07-26	Statement, Process, Definitions
2012-02-17	Policy and Procedure Committee
2012-02-29	Academic Coordinating Committee
2012-06-27	Policy and Procedure Committee
2012-07-01	Reviewed and Revised
2014-11-10	Policy and Procedure Committee
2014-11-19	Academic Coordinating Committee
2019-10-22	Policy and Procedure Committee
2019-11-15	Academic Forum
2021-08-25	Academic Forum