The social and political forces giving rise to the nontraditional education movement are identified, and inherent tensions in three types (credit-bearing, free form, and personal empowerment) are outlined. Conflicts between theory and practice in these three forms are discussed. (SK)

Accreditation issues raised by the use of educational technology not being substantially different from those raised during the decade of the seventies by the nontraditional education movement, there are several lessons about accreditation issues which are applicable to both movements. For example, credentialing and accreditation issues are…

The activities of UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the European Economic Community to promote academic mobility and international recognition of credits and degrees are outlined, and problems still to be solved are discussed. (MSE)

Movement toward a North American free trade agreement has provided impetus for a similar academic common market. However, differences in educational structure and quality make integration difficult. Priorities must be articulated, financing cooperation arranged, credit transfers facilitated, and achievement measures coordinated. Some isolated…

A discussion concerning international recognition of degrees, diplomas, and other academic credentials focuses on such things as the range of diplomas awarded in that system, information on the diploma, its external public and vocational worth, and program access. (MSE)

The decision to assess nonsponsored experiential learning is seen as a result of the view that a degree should signify competence in a profession as well as time in the classroom and that practical experience may offer the best if not the only way to acquire certain competencies. (MLW)

Adults learn from many sources, such as volunteer work, community services, homemaking, jobs, and other activities, and they increasingly want this learning to be recognized so that they can reenter the job market, get a promotion, or return to college. Therefore, scientific methods have been developed to help adults document their experiential…

Educational institutions need to help women get a better education by taking into account the learning they have acquired through experience in homemaking, volunteer work, and other activities. This paper examines the need for recognition of women's prior learning by educational institutions and delves into some of the intricacies of the process.…