Winter 2004

Learners in Action is a publication of the Movement for Canadian Literacy

Movement for Canadian Literacy, 180 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1P5 • T: (613) 563-2464 • F: (613) 563-2504

A Learner Success Story from Nova Scotia Angela Bailey didn’t know where her life experiences would take her until she took the Nova Scotia Community College’s Portfolio Development class. Angela finished the class this past winter and has never looked back.

“Portfolio development” or “Prior Learning Assessment” is a way of measuring a person’s life experiences and skills to see how they compare to school credits or job qualifications. By creating a portfolio of their life experiences, learners can have their skills assessed and gain academic credits or credits towards training programs and jobs. The Nova Scotia Community College offers Portfolio Development classes at the Community Learning Centre in Digby. More than 400 people from Digby and Annapolis Counties have finished the program. Many have gone back to school, started training programs, or found jobs. Angela grew up in rural Nova Scotia. She was the oldest of eight children. Although she had to leave school when she was very young, Angela returned many years later with the goal of completing her high school diploma.

Through the Portfolio Development course, Angela realized all the skills and abilities that she had gained through her life experiences. Her portfolio became a treasure and a living testament of who she is.

With this new awareness and more selfconfidence, doors and windows began to open for Angela. She now looks forward to her graduation and starting a Human Services program at the Nova Scotia Community College.