The Higher Education Reauthorization Act directs regional accrediting agencies to require institutions that offer distance education to verify that students completing distance education courses are the same students registered for the courses. Regional accrediting agencies will need to update their standards, train visiting teams, and monitor institutions on this issue. The Department of Education may issue regulations through a negotiated rulemaking process starting in spring 2009. Representatives are discussing this issue and institutions should be prepared to explain their processes for authenticating distance students when reviewed by their accrediting agency.

1. Higher Education Reauthorization Act

2.  The language of the law is Part H- Program
Integrity in section 496 related to Regional
Accrediting Agencies directing them to
require, “an institution that offers distance
education to have processes through which
the institution establishes that the student
who registers in a distance education course
or program is the same student who
participates and completes the program and
receives the academic credit.”

3.  In the section related to Accrediting Agencies
◦ They will need to add to their standards
◦ The will need to train their visiting teams
◦ They will need to monitor
 May be Regulations by Dept of Ed.
◦ One sentence in a huge act all of which may need
regulations.
◦ Regulations made by “Negotiated Rulemaking”
◦ Probably will start the process in Spring 2009

4.  Regional Accrediting Agencies are talking
about this together.
 “Distance Ed” Klonoski appointed by NEASC
as their rep in these conversations
 Diane Goldsmith working with WCET – and
others nationally on the issue.

5.  CTDLC Executive Council met with Barbara
Brittingham, NEASC’s Director of the
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
She emphasized:
◦ Pedagogy NOT Technology for the response
◦ No undue financial burdens on institution or student
◦ Authentication is not the same as cheating/plagiarism
◦ Students interact with the institution in a variety of
ways outside the classroom, so we know our students.
◦ Belief that this is really about “diploma mills.”

6.  This is the law that NEASC must follow.
 Be prepared to address how your institution
approaches the issue through:
◦ faculty training
◦ instructional design
◦ assessment plans
◦ work with student service providers
◦ course monitoring
◦ or other methods which your institution believes
protects the integrity of your online classes and
programs.

7.  For Example:
◦ Diverse methods of assessment
◦ Step-based assessments
◦ Test banks with random question selection
◦ Use of chat/discussion forums where students
“fingerprint” their writing and thinking
 Interaction amongst students/student
services staff and faculty
◦ Monitor grades
◦ Use of student services

8.  Review NEASC’s guidelines for Evaluation of
Distance Learning (link in Nov. CTDLC
newsletter)
 Watch for updates in the CTDLC newsletter
 Let Diane Goldsmith know about any issues
that arise on your campus that might help
others – especially those with NEASC visits.