289. Opening College Doors for Free with Jefferson Pestronk

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, I’m joined by Jefferson Pestronk, Executive Director at Modern States, to discuss how their free online courses and College Board’s CLEP exams make college credit accessible to everyone. Learners can take self-paced courses, earn vouchers, and bring passing CLEP scores to nearly 3,000 colleges—no tuition required on the Modern States side.

Jefferson shares how this model supports high schoolers, college students, and adult learners alike through flexible, scalable pathways. We also talk about AI tutoring, virtual cohorts, and statewide programs like Ohio’s new policy recognizing CLEP in diploma metrics.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How Modern States + CLEP unlocks free, transcripted college credit for learners anywhere.
• Who it serves—from teens to comebackers—and flexible ways schools embed it.
• Funding the path: philanthropic support, employer benefits, and state policies.
• New supports for self-paced success: AI tutoring and virtual cohorts.
• Ohio’s policy shift elevating CLEP in accountability and diploma seals.

Resources:

• Modern States — Create a free account and browse the full course library; look for the green “Sign Up” buttons.
• College Board CLEP — Check which colleges accept which exams and the score needed to earn credit.
• Connect with Jefferson Pestronk on LinkedIn

Produced by NOVA