ACE Works to Expand Acceptance of Credit for Prior Learning with Support from Walmart

​ACE is expanding the use of credit for prior learning (CPL) for learners, employers, and educational institutions, thanks to support from Walmart. The $500,000 grant will allow ACE to build a transfer equivalency database and share valuable data about where learners can receive college credit for their professional skills and credentials.The funding will support data interoperability and exchange to increase transparency of CPL opportunities for learners seeking to advance their educational and career goals.

"With this generous support, ACE begins an exciting initiative to empower adult and independent learners with easy access to reliable information about educational pathways they may want to pursue," said Sarah Cunningham, executive director of One Dupont Ventures at ACE. "We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey and look forward to the positive impact it will have on underserved communities."

The grant will support four phases of work:

1. Building the technical capacity to store complex institutional transfer equivalency rules as structured data.
2. Establishing policies and privacy measures to safely collect data from colleges and universities.
3. Using open-source systems to share data with credential transparency efforts and learner advocacy groups focused on improving learner success.
4. Testing AI tools to help institutions manage and create new credit options for important job skills.

"We are excited to support the development of this innovative data exchange that aims to break down barriers to higher education," said Shannon Rowan, senior manager at Walmart. "This work will unlock opportunity pathways for learners."

Click here to learn more about ACE's commitment to expanding flexible pathways to credentials and careers.