Practice
Accreditation, Quality, and Changes in Digital Learning
Published by: ewalton | 5/17/2022 | 0 comments
The changing nature of digital learning and postsecondary education in the post-COVID era has brought new opportunities and challenges for the quality assurance provided by the accreditation process. In a preview of a plenary session to be held at the WCET Annual Meeting (October 19-21 in Denver), this post features the thoughts of the leaders […]
Policy
Beyond Compliance: The Role of a Compliance Professional in Equity & Accessibility
Published by: ewalton | 5/12/2022 | 0 comments
Thank you to Kathryn Kerensky of WCET’s State Authorization Network for today’s blog, and thank you to Van Davis and Emilie Cook of Every Learner Everywhere for assistance and strategic direction. Enjoy! There is a role for everyone to play for higher education institutions to foster inclusive learning environments and increase access to the opportunities […]
Policy
Department of Ed Change May Result in More Institutions Needing Distance Education Approvals from Accrediting Agencies
Published by: Lindsey Downs | 6/18/2021 | 0 comments
We are just now figuring out that both accrediting agencies and institutions may have more work ahead of them in meeting federal requirements regarding oversight of distance learning programs. Sometimes at first look, we don’t fully comprehend the impact that a change in regulation or Department of Education (the Department) guidance might have out in […]
Policy
A Timely Case Study on Federal Rulemaking
Published by: Lindsey Downs | 6/1/2021 | 0 comments
Regular readers of WCET Frontiers will recall that we avidly follow the U.S. Department of Education’s quest to develop regulations through the negotiated rulemaking process. Rulemaking is a complicated and intriguing process. Our colleagues, Jeannie Yockey-Fine with NC-SARA and Shari Miller with Institutional Compliance Matters are here today to assist me with sharing about an […]
Policy
Federal Distance/Digital Actions of the Outgoing Administration and Congress
Published by: Lindsey Rae Downs | 1/28/2021 | 0 comments
Since the inauguration, we have been very focused on what Jed Bartlett would say is “what’s next?” WCET Frontiers will be publishing a great deal in the weeks to come about the priorities of the new Biden Administration. However, today we share a look back on the pre-inauguration activities of Congress and the Department of […]
Practice
2020 Top 10 Frontiers Blog Posts
Published by: Lindsey Rae Downs | 12/18/2020 | 0 comments
It’s that time again – let’s take a look at 2020’s Top 10 Frontiers blog posts based on views by you, our readers! Thank you for your support of WCET Frontiers through your subscriptions, comments, sharing, and guest authoring! 2020 was a challenge for us all, but we hope our posts provided you with assistance, […]
Practice
IPEDS Update: Department of Education’s Guidance on Reporting Distance Education Data
Published by: Lindsey Rae Downs | 12/2/2020 | 0 comments
The U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) provided guidance on how to report distance education activities during the pandemic. Whether on an emergency basis or planned for the safety of faculty and students, colleges and universities have adopted a variety of academic modality options. The Department’s explanations are welcomed help for […]
Practice
Institutional Accreditation in the Midst of COVID-19
Published by: Lindsey Rae Downs | 11/6/2020 | 0 comments
In response to the pandemic, accrediting agencies acted creatively in applying their quality assurance processes in an uncertain and changing world. Today’s guest post provides insights about how one accrediting agency (the Higher Learning Commission) responded to this challenge and their view of the future. We requested this article because we openly wondered when accrediting […]
Practice
Did Your Course Go Digital Due to COVID-19? Playbook Advises on Regulations When Making the Switch
Published by: Lindsey Rae Downs | 11/4/2020 | 0 comments
The spring 2020 term saw an unprecedented response to an unprecedented challenge as virtually every U.S. higher education institution offering face-to-face instruction rapidly switched to remote instruction, many in as little as one to two weeks and some in a few days. Institutions struggled to resolve challenges ranging from the technological to the pedagogical to […]
Practice
Season Shifts and Policy Changes: Important Rule Changes You May Have Missed
Published by: Lindsey Rae Downs | 10/23/2020 | 0 comments
Have you had the opportunity to notice that some parts of the U.S. have seen a change in the weather and the trees? To say that this fall has been busy is quite an understatement! We know that everyone has placed significant focus on the development and implementation of strategies to safely maintain academic continuity. […]