Prior Learning Assessments

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

The WELS Principal Credential affirms to the Conference of Presidents and to calling bodies that one has the competencies required to be a WELS principal. Experienced principals can demonstrate existing competencies in the WELS Principal Standards through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

For example, existing principals may have participated in training for observing and coaching teachers and then practiced the skill repeatedly in faculty classrooms. The Prior Learning Assessment enables an experienced principal to demonstrate those skills to others through an online portfolio platform.

There are eight leadership areas, and each area includes several competencies. Someone wanting to demonstrate competence in a given area reviews the competencies and associated rubric and gathers evidence to demonstrate how the competencies are met. Candidates should submit their evidence through the online portfolio platform. Directions for how to submit evidence are included in the online portfolio platform.

Evidence may fulfill several competencies or only one, so the number of artifacts needed will vary by candidate and leadership area. Only one of each type of artifact should be provided. For example, though a person may have created multiple annual budgets, only one exemplary budget should be submitted.

A wide variety of appropriate artifacts may be selected. The following are only some examples:

• Meeting agenda
• Marketing plan
• A school’s subject area curriculum
• Teacher observation notes
• Video of the candidate giving a report to the congregation
• Training manual, materials, or syllabus

The candidate will need to provide a written description (300 – 500 words) to explain how each piece of evidence connects to specific competencies.

The eight PLA assessment areas are:

Leadership Area One: School Leadership (Rubric)

Leadership Area Two: Culture & Vision (Rubric)

Leadership Area Three: Leading Change (Rubric)

Leadership Area Four: The Principalship (Rubric)

Leadership Area Five: Business Administration (Rubric)

Leadership Area Six: School Law (Rubric)

Leadership Area Seven: Curriculum Leadership (Rubric)

Leadership Area Eight: Supervision of Instruction (Rubric)

Each requires its own submission and review.