Council for Adult and Experiential Learning

Council for Adult and Experiential Learning is a nonprofit organization that focuses on adult education, experiential learning, and prior learning assessment. The organization was founded in 1974 by Morris Keeton and other educators, including Alexander Astin, with the goal of improving educational outcomes for nontraditional students at institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning has worked with numerous organizations, including the National Center for Education Statistics, Lumina Foundation, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to promote lifelong learning and workforce development.

● History

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning was established in 1974, with initial funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ford Foundation. The organization's early work focused on developing prior learning assessment programs, which allowed adult learners to earn college credit for work experience and other forms of experiential learning. This approach was influenced by the work of John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and other educational theorists who emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and real-world application. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning has also collaborated with institutions such as University of Michigan, University of Texas at Austin, and New York University to develop innovative educational programs.

● Mission and Objectives

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning's mission is to improve educational outcomes for adult learners by promoting experiential learning, prior learning assessment, and other innovative educational practices. The organization's objectives include increasing access to education for nontraditional students, improving student retention and graduation rates, and enhancing workforce development through partnerships with organizations such as IBM, Microsoft, and Google. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning has also worked with policymakers and educational leaders at the National Education Association, American Council on Education, and Association of American Colleges and Universities to promote educational reform and improve educational outcomes.

● Programs and Services

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning offers a range of programs and services, including prior learning assessment tools, experiential learning resources, and professional development opportunities for educators. The organization has developed partnerships with institutions such as University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Washington to provide adult learners with access to high-quality educational programs. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning has also collaborated with organizations such as National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Education to develop innovative educational programs and promote STEM education.

● Research and Publications

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning conducts research on adult education, experiential learning, and prior learning assessment, and publishes reports and other resources on these topics. The organization's research has been cited by educational researchers and policymakers at institutions such as Harvard Graduate School of Education, Stanford Graduate School of Education, and University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning has also published works in collaboration with Journal of Educational Psychology, American Educational Research Journal, and Teachers College Record, and has presented research at conferences such as American Educational Research Association and Association for the Study of Higher Education.

● Partnerships and Collaborations

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning has developed partnerships with numerous organizations, including Lumina Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and National Center for Education Statistics. The organization has also collaborated with institutions such as University of California, Los Angeles, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Georgia to promote innovative educational practices and improve educational outcomes. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning has worked with corporate partners such as IBM, Microsoft, and Google to develop workforce development programs and promote STEM education.

● Impact and Outcomes

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning's work has had a significant impact on adult education and experiential learning in the United States. The organization's prior learning assessment programs have helped thousands of adult learners earn college credit for work experience and other forms of experiential learning. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning's research and publications have informed educational policy and practice at institutions such as University of Chicago, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University. The organization's partnerships and collaborations have promoted innovative educational practices and improved educational outcomes for nontraditional students at institutions such as University of Southern California, University of Florida, and Ohio State University.

Category:Education organizations