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Overview of Current National Trends Regarding State Authorization . August 1, 2011. Russ Poulin. Megan Raymond. Today’s Agenda. What is WCET? State Authorization – Current National Trends: Federal & state background Court ruling Changes to state regs Reciprocity agreements Surveys
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Overview of Current National Trends Regarding State Authorization August 1, 2011 Russ Poulin Megan Raymond
Today’s Agenda • What is WCET? • State Authorization – Current National Trends: • Federal & state background • Court ruling • Changes to state regs • Reciprocity agreements • Surveys • Complaint Processes • Other Regulations
WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies WCET accelerates the adoption ofeffective practices and policies,advancing excellence in technology-enhanced teaching and learning in higher education. http://wcet.wiche.edu
State Authorization, Chapter 34, § 600.9(c) “If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State’s approval upon request.”
The Federal Regulation: Why? The “Triad”
The State Regulations An important word aboutstate regulations.
APSCU Court Case Ruling July 12: US District Court “Vacates” USDOE’s State Authorization Regulation • What does the ruling mean? • What might USDOE do? • What should you do?
Changes to Current State Regs • A few states are still reviewing their regs or in flux: • NM • MA • CA • FL • Others?
Resources from Other States • Florida: http://www.flbog.org/_doc/State-Authorization-Requirements_2011_06.pdf • Ohio: http://sites.google.com/site/stateauthorizationnetworkohio/ • UMassOnline:https://confluence.umassonline.net/display/OBS/Higher+Education+Act+-+State+Authorization
Reciprocity Agreements • Excelsior College / Presidents’ Forum / Council of State Governments: Model State Compacts • Southern Regional Education Board’s Electronic Campus • ‘Distance Education’ Commission • NASASPS Common Forms • Possible WCET interim agreements
Other Considerations • Some state agencies are open to helping students finish their program through teach-outs. • MA • DE • AL • De minimus standards. • Agencies may be open and willing to work with you, be informed, friendly, and ask. Build relationships.
Surveys • UPCEA / WCET Survey – What are institutions doing? • Results available in the next few weeks. • SHEEO Survey – What are state regulations? • Sent out to all state agencies two weeks ago, results will be available in early fall.
Complaint Processes • Chances are that you are not in compliance! • Inform students complaint processes • Accreditation & state regulator complaint processes for each state. • Current and prospective students. • Not just distance education. • July 1, 2011 deadline. • NCHEMS has a model, but per DOE, you need to provide your own list to students. • http://www.sheeo.org/stateauth/Links to Complaint Process.pdf
Other Regulations • Credit Hour • “Modular” Classes • Last Day of Attendance • Gainful Employment • Misrepresentation
Distance Education –State Regulation of Providers http://wcet.wiche.edu/advance/state-approval http://wcetblog.wordpress.com Russ Poulinrpoulin@wiche.edu Megan Raymondmraymond@wiche.edu