(a) Increase the number of students who receive academic credit for prior learning and the number of students who receive academic credit for prior learning that counts toward their major or toward earning their degree, certificate or credential, while ensuring that credit is awarded only for high quality course-level competencies;

(b) Increase the number and type of academic credits accepted for prior learning in institutions of higher education, while ensuring that credit is awarded only for high quality course-level competencies;

(c) Develop transparent policies and practices in awarding academic credit for prior learning to be adopted by the governing boards of public universities, community colleges and independent institutions of higher education;

(d) Improve prior learning assessment practices across all institutions of higher education;

(e) Create tools to develop faculty and staff knowledge and expertise in awarding academic credit for prior learning and to share exemplary policies and practices among institutions of higher education;

(f) Develop articulation agreements when patterns of academic credit for prior learning are identified for particular programs and pathways; and

(g) Develop outcome measures to track progress on the goals outlined in this section.

(2) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall appoint an advisory committee to coordinate implementation of the goals in subsection (1) of this section. The committee shall include:

(a) A member representing public universities in this state.

(b) A member representing community colleges in this state.

(c) A member representing independent not-for-profit institutions of higher education located in this state.

(d) A member representing for-profit institutions of higher education offering degree programs to students in this state.

(e) A member representing the business community.

(f) A member representing the labor community.

(g) A member who is a student at a two-year or four-year institution of higher education located in this state.

(h) Other members appointed by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission based upon a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of prior learning programs.

(3) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall submit an annual report to the Legislative Assembly no later than December 31 of each calendar year, in the manner prescribed by ORS 192.245, reporting on progress toward meeting the goals set forth in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) For the purposes of this section, "prior learning" means the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience, through military training and experience and through formal and informal education and training from institutions of higher education in the United States and in other nations. [Formerly 351.751]