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SACS and Other Regulations: What We Are Required to do About Online and Distance Education

SACS and Other Regulations: What We Are Required to do About Online and Distance Education. Dr. Rita Reaves, Chair Compliance Certification Council East Carolina University. Key points:. SACS Policy Statement on Distance Education:

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SACS and Other Regulations: What We Are Required to do About Online and Distance Education

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  1. SACS and Other Regulations: What We Are Required to do About Online and Distance Education Dr. Rita Reaves, Chair Compliance Certification Council East Carolina University

  2. Key points: • SACS Policy Statement on Distance Education: • http://sacscoc.org/pdf/Distance%20and%20correspondence%20policy%20final.pdf • Efforts to institutionalize compliance at ECU • Challenges along the way • New regulations 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  3. SACS Policy Statement on DE: Guidelines in the Application of the Principles to DE Mission (1) Curriculum and instruction (8) Faculty (3) Institutional effectiveness (2) Library and learning resources (2) Student services (5) Facilities and finances (2) 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  4. “The institution is in compliance . . . “ Efforts to Institutionalize Processes 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  5. Distance Education at ECU 1999 “Quality Assurance Standardsfor Undergraduate Courses Offered via Distance Education at ECU” 2002 Joyner Award for Faculty Service through Continuing Education 2008 NCDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching Awards 2008 College of Nursing designated a Center of Excellence: “innovative online outreach efforts” 2009 College of Business and College of Education—US News & World Report—best graduate programs (online). 2010 MBA online program ranked third in the nation GetEducated.com 2011 NCDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching Awards 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  6. How we began • Review College-specific policies • Creation Online Quality Council • Collaboration Faculty Senate • Support Office of Faculty Excellence • Support Information Tech & Computer Services • Leadership Provost, Associate Provost for Academic Outreach, Associate Provost for IPAR, Senate officers, President, NC Distance Learning Association 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  7. Faculty Senate representation on Online Quality Council • Chair Faculty Senate • Vice Chair Faculty Senate • Chair Graduate Curriculum Committee • Chair Undergraduate Curriculum • Chair Educational Policies and Planning • Chair Academic Standards Committee • Chair Career and Continuing Education • Unit faculty Senate representatives 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  8. ECU Policy on Distance Education • Documented professional development prior to teaching online (modules in review). • Annual professional development while teaching • Peer review of syllabus, course materials • http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/fsonline/customcf/facultymanual/newmanual/depolicy.htm 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  9. Challenges along the way Comparing the SACS definition andUNC-GA definition of distance education Identifying DE courses and faculty according to the SACS definition Recognizing continuum of how online programs had been developed Communicating the scope and impact of proposed changes needed for institutional compliance 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  10. New Regulations • Section 600.9 of the new DOE regulations: “If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondenceeducation for students in a State which it is not physically located in or in which it is otherwisesubject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any Staterequirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education inthat State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State’s approval upon request.” 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  11. Interpretations of the new policy: The implementation of the regulations will go forward and are effective July 1, 2011; however “good faith” efforts will be recognized for the next year. Those efforts are that you need to have applied or be in the process of applying by July 1, 2011. 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  12. This quickly gets complicated! • Institutions must be able to identify where a student is located BEFORE s(he) enrolls in a program and the requirement to secure approval from that state. Further, if a student moves from that state during the time of enrollment, the institution must re-evaluate (or may have to seek approval from the new state). • There is no minimum enrollment “bar” that triggers the requirement for approval. One student enrolled outside your home state requires you take action unless the state has or sets a minimum. 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

  13. Moving into the course room means a freshlook at effectiveness: • Student learning outcomes • Preparation and effectiveness of instructor • Adequacy of support services for online learners • Documentation of demonstrated quality • Application to ALL courses 2011 Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research

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