From Expectations to Results

EDUCATIONAL SERVICESEDUCATIONAL SERVICESfor DISTANCE LEARNERSfor DISTANCE LEARNERS

AAHE Conference

June 2001

Presenters: Dr. Douglas K. Lange and Dr. Theodore K. Miller

COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF STANDARDSSTANDARDS

IN HIGHER EDUCATIONIN HIGHER EDUCATION

Consortium of 34

Professional Organizations

100,000 + Constituents

CASCASEstablished in 1979Established in 1979

Functional Area Standards(1985)

Standard Latest Revision

1. Academic Advising

1997 2. Campus Activities

1997 3. Career Services

2000 4. College Unions

1999 5. Commuter Student Programs

1997 6. Counseling Services

1999 7. Disabled Student Services

1997 8. Fraternity and Sorority Programs

1996 9. Housing and Residential Life

199610. Judicial Programs

199711. Learning Assistance Programs

199712. Minority Student Programs

199713. Recreational Sports Programs

199714. Religious Programs

199715. Outcome Assessment Program Eval.

199716. Student Orientation Programs

1997

Functional Area Standards

Followed By . . .Followed By . . .

Standard Latest Revision

17. Admission Programs (1986) 199718. Alcohol and Other Drug Programs (1990)

199719. Women Student Programs (1990) 1997

Standard Adopted20. International Student Programs 199521. Registrar Programs and Service 199522. Financial Aid Programs 199623. Student Leadership Programs 199624. TRIO & Other

Educational Opportunity Programs 199925. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

200026. Campus Information and

Visitors Services 200027. Educational Services

for Distance Learners 200028. College Health Programs 2001

Current CAS ProjectsCurrent CAS Projectsand Initiativesand Initiatives

• Standards Undergoing Standards Undergoing RevisionRevision

• Admission Programs

• Alcohol & Other Drug Programs

• Alcohol & Other Drug Programs

• Disability Services

• Fraternity and Sorority

• Housing and Residence Life Programs

• Religious Programs

• Master’s Level Preparation Programs • Standards Under Standards Under

DevelopmentDevelopment

•Service Learning Programs

•Campus Auxiliary Services

Develop and Disseminate Professional Standards of…

Practice (27 Standards)

Preparation (1 Standard)

Promote Improvement of Higher Education via Professional Standards

Encourage the use of Standards by Higher Education Professionals

Develop and Disseminate Professional Standards of…

Practice (27 Standards)

Preparation (1 Standard)

Promote Improvement of Higher Education via Professional Standards

Encourage the use of Standards by Higher Education Professionals

CAS CAS MissionMission

Promote Inter-Association Efforts to Address Issues of Quality Assurance, Student Learning, and Professional Integrity in Higher Education.

CAS MissionCAS Mission

SACS Distance LearningSACS Distance LearningCriteria 1998Criteria 1998

4.5 Distance Learning Program

Institution Must Demonstrate that its Distance Learning Programs. . .

1. Have Clear & Explicit Goals Consistent With Institution’s Purpose

2. Stated Goals Are Achieved

3. Are Effective

4. Comply With All Applicable SACS Criteria5.1.7 Library/learning Resources For Distance Learning ActivitiesThe Institution must ensure provision and ready access to adequate. . .

1. library/learning resources2. Library/learning services

The Institution Must Either . .1. Own the Resources2. Provide Access to Electronic Information Available Thru Existing Technologies -- OR –3. Provide Resources Through Formal Agreements

Inter-Regional Statement onInter-Regional Statement onEvaluation of Electronically Evaluation of Electronically

Offered Degree and Offered Degree and Certificate ProgramsCertificate Programs

Appropriate Services must be available for Students of Electronically

Offered Programs Career Counseling and

Placement Library Resources Bookstore Services Ongoing Technical Support Referrals for Special Needs…

Learning Differences Physical Challenges Personal Counseling

Career Counseling and Placement

Library Resources Bookstore Services Ongoing Technical Support Referrals for Special Needs…

Learning Differences Physical Challenges Personal Counseling

Accurate and Timely Information

Pre-registration Advising Application for Admission Enrollment Registration Financial Aid Academic Advising Academic Progress Information Timely Intervention Regarding

Student Progress Tutoring

Accurate and Timely Information

Pre-registration Advising Application for Admission Enrollment Registration Financial Aid Academic Advising Academic Progress Information Timely Intervention Regarding

Student Progress Tutoring

Inter-Regional Statement onEvaluation of Electronically

OfferedDegree and Certificate

ProgramsPromoting a sense of communityStudy Groups

Student Directories

Institutional Publications and Events

Student Government Representation

Invitations to Campus Events

Graduation Ceremonies

1. Dan Connell, Academic Support and Extended Campus Programs, Morehead State University

2. Don Creamer (Chair), Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs, Virginia Tech,

3. Carmen Neuburger, Executive Director, American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Washington D.C.

4. Marianne Phelps, US Office of Postsecondary Education

5. Andrea Reeve, National TRIO Clearinghouse, Washington D.C.

6. Nancy Thompson, University System of Georgia Independent Study, American Association for Collegiate Independent Study

7. Martha Baer Wilmes, U of MD Commuter Affairs & Community Service, National Clearinghouse for Commuter Programs

1. Dan Connell, Academic Support and Extended Campus Programs, Morehead State University

2. Don Creamer (Chair), Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs, Virginia Tech,

3. Carmen Neuburger, Executive Director, American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Washington D.C.

4. Marianne Phelps, US Office of Postsecondary Education

5. Andrea Reeve, National TRIO Clearinghouse, Washington D.C.

6. Nancy Thompson, University System of Georgia Independent Study, American Association for Collegiate Independent Study

7. Martha Baer Wilmes, U of MD Commuter Affairs & Community Service, National Clearinghouse for Commuter Programs

Distance LearningStandards Writing

Committee

Distance Learning Standards

Consultants and Advisors1. Peg Auchterlonie, Educational Technologies and

Distance Learning Services, California State University-Northridge

2. Alma Azama, Director, Academic Technology Services, University of Northern Colorado

3. Marie A. Barber, Department of Distance Education, U Nebraska

4. Ellen Blackmun, Director of Electronic Services Projects, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

5. Sandy Frieden, Director, Distance Education, University of Houston

6. Elizabeth Houdek, Instructional Design Specialist, Independent Study, Ohio University,

7. Kevin Jackson, Office of VPSA, Texas A & M University

Distance Learning Standards

Consultants and Advisors8. Steve Janosik, Higher Education & Student Affairs,

Virginia Tech

9. Sally Johnstone, Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications, Boulder, Colorado

10. Gary Kleeman, Arizona State University East

11. Chair, NASPA Task Force for Distance Learning

12. Barbara Krauth, Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications, Boulder, Colorado

13. Von Pittman, Center for Independent Study, U of Missouri

14. Jean Marie Redeker, University of Kansas Independent Study Office

15. Amy Struthers, Academic Telecommunications, Continuing Education, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

UnderstandiUnderstandingng

CAS CAS StandardsStandards

CAS Standards . . . Represent

INDISPENSABLE requirements of practice

Are achievable by all programs

Appear in BOLD PRINT

Use auxiliary verbs MUST and SHALL

EXAMPLE: Distance LearningMission Statement

Standard Standard BOLDBOLD type; Auxiliary verb type; Auxiliary verb MUSTMUST::

Institutions must identify the Institutions must identify the

characteristics of their distance characteristics of their distance

students and adapt services to meet students and adapt services to meet

the needs of the particular the needs of the particular

populations they serve.populations they serve.

Understanding

CAS Guidelines

CAS Guidelines . . . Clarify & Amplify Standards Guides enhanced practice

beyond essential functions Appear in LIGHT-FACED

type Use verbs

SHOULD and MAY

EXAMPLE: Distance Learner

AcademicSupport Services

Guideline

StandardStandardInformation concerning academic support services must be made available.

GuidelineGuidelineDistance Learning students should have opportunities for developing learning strategies and getting assistance with content comprehension. Tutoring services, supplemental instruction, and other academic support services should be available to all distance education students.

The CAS SAG: A Self-Assessment Guide

Operationalizes the CAS Standards Promotes Program Self-Assessment A Tool that Informs on Program

Strengths and Weaknesses Supports Staff Development A Vehicle to Create Action Plans

that Can Lead to Enhanced Student Learning and Personal Development

Putting theCAS standards to work

1. Decide on Type of Self-Study and Form Assessment Team

2. Select Guidelines (if any) to be Judged as Standards

3. Assessment Team Reviews Standards BEFORE Making Judgments

4. Identify and Summarize Available Documented Evidence

A Self-Assessment ApproachA Self-Assessment Approach A Self-Assessment ApproachA Self-Assessment Approach

Putting theCAS Standards to work

5. Judge Program Against Standards & Calculate Criteria Rating Scores

6. Describe Discrepancies Between Standards and Observed Practice

7. Identify Corrective Actions Needed8. Recommend Enhancement Actions9. Prepare an Overall Action Plan

A Self-Assessment Approach A Self-Assessment Approach (cont…)(cont…)

A Self-Assessment Approach A Self-Assessment Approach (cont…)(cont…)

Compile and ReviewDocumentary Evidence

Key to AssessmentKey to Assessment

The Self-Assessment is not The Self-Assessment is not complete until relevantcomplete until relevant datadata

ANDAND relatedrelated documentationdocumentation are are in place to support rater in place to support rater

judgments. judgments.

Using Self-Study Evidence

Study the Functional Area Standard

Review all relevant data about that standard

Gather additional data as needed

Report supportive evidence

Report discrepancies noted between assessment criteria and actual practice

Append relevant documents to final self-assessment report

Formulating an Action Plan

On the basis of that review and

discussion, develop an

ACTION PLAN to set new

directions to guide future performance

Action Plan Components

Program Action PlansIdentify those responsible to complete action steps

Schedule dates for completing designated actions

CAS StandardsCAS Standards

Educational Services

forDistance Learners:

The ContentThe Content

Mission

Definition of Distance Education--separated by time and/or space

Comparable Services -- commensurate, but might have different needs.

Congruency ofMission & Program

Clearly Stated

Authority Exists

Leadership

Faculty Quality & Support

Faculty key to distance learning:

--Skilled in technology

--Primary contact

--Trained in special issues

Resources

Counselors

Service Technician

Advisors

Disability Services

Student Affairs Professionals

Site Administrators

Distribution Clubs

Library Resource Personnel

Legal Responsibilities

Equal Opportunity, Access & Affirmative Action

Campus & Community Relations

Diversity

Curriculum Course & Degree Requirements

Appropriate Faculty / Student Interactions

Technical, Competent Students

Access

Student Services

Academic Services

Comparable Quality to those On-Campus

Services to Assess

Information for Prospective Students

Admissions

Financial Aid

Registration

Services to Assess(Cont…)

Orientation

Advising

Technical Support

Career Services

Services to Assess(Cont…)Library Services

Services for Students with Disabilities

Counseling

Academic Support (e.g., Tutoring, SI)

Services to Assess(Cont…)

Instructional Materials

Promoting Identity

Other (e.g., Leadership Development, Wellness)

Services to Assess(Cont…)

Ethics

Assessment

Questions? What are current best practices today for

delivering student and academic services to distant learners?

? What are best practices in distance learning?

? Where is the “bar of excellence” today in Georgia and how do we take it up a notch?

? What are we doing administratively at our institutions to address part, some, or all of these standards?

? How can we best use the distance learning standards to gain enhanced results on our campuses?