ABHE Team Evaluator TrainingEvaluating Distance and Correspondence Education

February 13, 2013

From NEW to MAINSTREAM6.7 million students took at least one online course

in the Fall 2011.32% of all higher education students.572,512 more than the previous year.

Over the past 15 years it has moved from something new and strange to a regular part of most institutions .

86.5% of all institutions offer some online courses.Private non-profits with fully online programs has

grown from 22.1% to 48.4% in the past ten years.

Requires an Integrated ReviewEach team member needs to include a review

of the online program/courses within each of the Standards and many of the Essential Elements.

The report must include reference to online.

Use the Online Distance Education Best Practices document to help with specifics and wording.

Administration- Standard 1Is the program consistent with the

institutions role and mission?

Does the mission statement include the opportunity to offer online courses/programs?

Is the online program a mission fit?

Administration – Standard 3Do the promotional materials accurately

reflect the online operations and programs?Do the student and faculty handbooks

provide necessary guidance for online students, courses, and programs?

Are the procedures for student complaints and student discipline consistent and appropriate?

Is there equitable and consistent treatment?Compensation and human resource

management?

Administration – Standard 4Does the program adhere to legal and

regulatory requirements? (Standard 4)Financial AidState Authorization?

Administration – Standard 5Is there an adequate organizational structure

for development, coordination, support, and oversight of the online program/courses?

Academic – Standard 2aAre the online programs properly assessed?Are student learning outcomes being

assessed?

The online program/courses should be integrated into the institutions overall assessment plan, with explanation.

Academic – Standard 11Is there a means for determining the

appropriate rigor for the level of work being done?Seat Time?Learning Outcomes?

Is there evidence of proper course sequence?If there are online programs that are not

offered f2f, is the curriculum consistent with all essential elements?

Is there a spiritual formation program for online students?

Academic – Standard 11Do online students get consistent academic

advising?Is the online calendar appropriate?Are there FERPA safeguards in place?

Financial – Standard 2bIs the online program being assessed as a

part of the overall institutional effectiveness and planning process?

Is there assessment data available?

Financial – Standard 6Are there adequate human resources?

Admissions, curriculum, students services

Are there adequate financial resources?Course development, technology, student services

Are there adequate physical resources?Equipment, outsource

Are there adequate technological resources?Training and support (students and faculty)

Library/Faculty – Standard 9Are all online faculty in compliance with all

faculty qualifications, development, and welfare?

Does the faculty handbook cover online?Is there a good evaluation system for online

faculty?Have faculty been trained in online teaching?Are there ongoing development opportunities

for online faculty?Do online programs/courses fall under the

normal faculty decision making processes?

Library/Faculty – Standard 10Do the written policies and procedures

include online students and programs?Are there adequate resources to meet the

learning needs of online students?Do online courses require the use of learning

resources and a means to acquire them?

Student – Standard 7Does the institution marketing/enrollment

plan include online programs?Are there adequate resources for online

recruitment?Is all needed information available to

potential online students?Are admission processes for online students

consistent with institutional policy?Are financial policies for online students in

place?Are retention practices in place for online

students?

Student – Standard 8Are there comparable student services

available for online students that are consistent with those offered to face-to-face students? (Textbooks)

Are online students included in the regular system of assessing needs, experiences, and levels of satisfaction?

Are there opportunities for online students to be involved in institutional decision-making?

Do online students know the procedure for initiating a complaint or grievance?

Specific IssuesStudent Authentication

Username and PasswordState AuthorizationEngaged time equivalent to face-to-faceAll federal compliance issues