Report: Gap Analysis and Environmental Scan: Sharing Observations, Priorities, Opportunities in National OER Landscape

This report was jointly prepared by staff from the four regional education compacts: the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). This work was supported by funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. In March 2020, the four regional compacts convened focus groups to gather insights and prepare for a national environmental scan and gap analysis. The result of the work was a better understanding of the national landscape and was used to develop this report.

Competency-Based Education – WCET 26th Annual Meeting In Depth Resource

Resource created based on discussions with subject matter experts (SMEs) who participated in the in-depth session on Competency-based Education at the WCET 26th Annual Meeting, November 2014 in Portland, OR. These answers are time-bound and will not be updated but provide valuable insight into the ‘how’ of competency-based education at a variety of institutions.

State Authorization Across State Borders

Publication from OLC, UPCEA, and WCET on regulations that allow states to regulate institutions that conduct instruction and other postsecondary activities within their borders. Document includes primary regulatory references, history of state authorization, definitions, state concerns, and principles of state authorization.

Regular and Substantive Interaction: Background, Concerns, and Guiding Principles

Financial Aid and the 21st Century Learner: Background, Concerns, and Guiding Principles

The publication from OLC, UPCEA, and WCET reviews the background and history of student eligibility and other regulations for postsecondary financial aid, concerns that may require congressional action to address, and guiding principles of financial aid regulations in the United States.

Competency-Based Education, Direct Assessment, and Financial Aid: Background, Concerns, and Guiding Principles

The publication from OLC, UPCEA, and WCET reviews the background and history of competency-based education and direct assessment, with related financial aid regulations, concerns that may require congressional action to address, and guiding principles of regulations regarding instructional modality in the United States.

Accessibility of Online Course Materials

Short resource on the accessibility of online course materials, including why accessibility of materials is important, related regulations, overview of universal design for learning. This Talking Points document was developed in 2014 and is time-bound, this specific resource has not/may not be updated to reflect current regulations and understandings.

Accessibility in Online Courses – Trends, Tips, & Tools

Resource created by WCET staff, Kathleen Bastedo and Nancy Swenson (both instructional designers for the Center for Distributed Learning at the University of Central Florida), on trends related to accessibility and online courses, tips for building accessible courses, strategies for using assistive technology for faculty and students, useful accessibility tools, and accessibility related organizations and resources.

Guidelines for the Review and Evaluation of Distance Education

Compiled links to Guidelines and Policy Statements from the Regional Accrediting Commissions. Please note this resource was created in 2013 and has not/will not be updated with more current information.

All Hands on Deck: Ten Lessons from Early Adopters of Competency-Based Education

2014 publication by Patricia A. Book, Leadership Fellow with WCET, with best practices for developing competency-based education programs based on a review of seven early implementers of CBE programs in higher education.