Bill > A5407

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to establish standards for assessing and awarding academic credit for prior learning at public institutions of higher education. Under the bill, the standards are to include policies and procedures for the: (1) assessment of prior learning completed by a student including: Advanced Placement and College Level Examination Program assessments; validated workforce learning; industry-valued credentials; institutionally-conducted examinations; and portfolio assessments; (2) awarding of academic credit for prior learning completed by a student, including a minimum limit of prior learning credits that a public institution of higher education shall be required to accept; (3) transfer of credits awarded based on prior learning completed by a student between public institutions of higher education; (4) implementation of an appeals process for students and public institutions of higher education to resolve disputes regarding the assessment and awarding of academic credit for prior learning; (5) annual review and update of the standards; and (6) collection of data by the secretary to ensure that all participating institutions of higher education are in compliance with the provisions of the bill and to ensure the standards are fostering the academic success of students. Additionally, the bill permits a public institution of higher education to establish a maximum limit of academic credits for prior learning that may be applied towards an associate or baccalaureate degree awarded by the institution, except that the maximum limit shall be no less than any limit of prior learning academic credits established by the secretary. Pursuant to the bill, each public institution of higher education is required to establish a policy for assessing and awarding academic credit for prior learning that is consistent with the standards established by the secretary. This requirement may be satisfied through the establishment of: (1) a credit reciprocity agreement with Thomas Edison State University; (2) a partnership between the public institution of higher education and Thomas Edison State University wherein Thomas Edison State University is to assess and recommend the award of academic credit for prior learning on behalf of the public institution of higher education; or (3) a partnership between a public institution of higher education and a qualified third party wherein the third party is to assess and recommend the award of academic credit for prior learning on behalf of the public institution. The bill permits an independent institution of higher education to establish a policy consistent with the standards. Finally, the bill stipulates that a public institution of higher education, or any other institution or organization conducting a prior learning assessment on behalf of a public institution of higher education, may charge a nominal fee for an assessment of prior learning to cover the administrative costs incurred during the assessment and prohibits an institution from charging the per-credit tuition rate of the institution for prior learning credits awarded pursuant to the provisions of the bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Linda Carter (D)*,  Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)*,  Shavonda Sumter (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 03/06/2025)

Official Document