Date of Award

Spring 2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Foundations & Leadership

Program/Concentration

Community College Leadership

Committee Director

Mitchell R. Williams

Committee Member

Steven P. Myran

Committee Member

Edward E. Raspiller

Abstract

The college completion agenda demands improved graduation rates among adult learners and prior learning assessment (PLA) is a promising solution. PLA permits students to earn college credit for knowledge acquired outside of higher education and is associated with improved student outcomes. The current study expanded the literature regarding adult PLA learners in the community college by examining the graduation rates of adult learners in four U.S. community colleges by PLA status and method. Results confirmed significant difference in graduation rates between adult PLA learners and adult non-PLA learners, uncovered significant difference in the graduation rates of adult PLA learners by PLA method, and identified a significant relationship between PLA method and graduation. Findings provide policy makers, community college leaders, and adult educators with new insight into adult PLA learners in the community college, and provide a basis for future research leading to improved graduation among adult learners.

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DOI

10.25777/hmvh-6393

ISBN

9781267649508

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