This publication is a compilation of the presentations given at a symposium held to explore where California is in respect to credit for prior and experiential learning, and whether the State should be moving toward a more comprehensive mechanism for assessing, awarding, and recording such credit. The keynote address provides an overview focusing on learning, services and educational program sources for adults, and standardization versus flexibility in programs. The next address considers some major problems in granting credit for prior learning encountered at Empire State College. Several presentations then follow on the state of the art in credit for experiential/prior learning at the University of California, California State University and Colleges (CSUC), CSUC Consortium, CSUC Consortium Liberal Arts Program, California Community Colleges, private sector, and private institutions. Two talks pertaining to the need for a validating institution and the needs of the training community are followed by the remarks of a reaction panel. Additional presentations discuss alternatives in developing a validating institution and cover the further expansion of CSUC Consortium, the creation of a new independent institution, and the use of the public/private sector through a voucher system. The presentations conclude with two addresses on problems in developing a validating institution, focusing on attitudinal problems and accreditation concerns. (EM)