1. Gateways Project - Results to Date Dr. Ingrid Crowther Dr. Jane Arscott Team Leaders May, 2005

2. Background Had established block credit transfer system for human service related programs through the Pathways Project http://pathways.athabascau.ca/ Identified additional barrier/gap and questions through Pathways Project –Most common questions - What’s my credential worth? I earned it some time ago My credentials previously not accepted for transfer

3. Identification of Challenges Learning opportunities vary widely for working adults resulting in few genuine choices for working adults Costs, length and most of study vary from institution to institution Barriers diminish student involvement, including lack of broad band access and connectivity Lack of transparency affects student participation, motivation and success

4. Led to Gateways Project Program based PLAR – up to one year credit at a certificate, diploma or degree level Research shows that program-based PLAR is: –More efficient –Less time consuming –Less costly –Allows for evaluation of transfer of skills

5. Outcomes of the Gateways Project Demonstrate PLAR as an integral part of post-secondary credential completion and outcome-based employment eligibility in Humans Services fields Develop PLAR tools at an entry, diploma, advanced and degree completion level Complete a PLAR process with a minimum of 100 practitioners.

6. Outcomes of the Gateways Project Disseminate information to increase acceptance and recognition of these awards. Track and measure participants' success in the PLAR process, in the achievement of educational goals, and to evaluate overall success of the project.

7. Gateways Research Research the effectiveness of PLAR through a comparative analysis - grades achieved –continuation of studies –educational goals reached

8. Gateways Evaluation Establish a long term tracking system to follow PLAR students Evaluation of PLAR – tools and process Overall success of project

9. Dissemination Phase Ongoing – web site http://gateways.athabascau.ca http://gateways.athabascau.ca Conference presentations Publications Informal – focus groups, increased awareness through Gateways Project implementation

10. Accomplishments Three pilot studies in process – Yukon college ECE, Hastings's County Employer and Seneca College – degree completion Main study initiated New pilots commencing – UCN, Yukon College second group of diploma and one group of Humans services

11. Accomplishments Participation by a wide group of individuals from isolated communities, urban communities, and First Nation communities Developed skill sets and process for early childhood and humans services programs Developing additional skill sets –Community support worker –Home care support worker –Nurses assistant program –Corrections

12. Accomplishments Developed and implemented three part certificate training sessions to mentor PLAR portfolio development and evaluate completed portfolios

13. Contact ingridc@athabascau.ca janea@athabascau.ca Website – http://gateways.athabascau.ca