2. From Expectations to Results EDUCATIONAL SERVICES for DISTANCE LEARNERS AAHE Conference June 2001 Presenters: Dr. Douglas K. Lange and Dr. Theodore K. Miller

3. COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF STANDARDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION Consortium of 34 Professional Organizations 100,000 + Constituents CAS Established in 1979

4. Functional Area Standards (1985) Standard Latest Revision 1.Academic Advising1997 2.Campus Activities1997 3.Career Services 2000 4.College Unions1999 5.Commuter Student Programs1997 6.Counseling Services1999 7.Disabled Student Services1997 8.Fraternity and Sorority Programs1996 9.Housing and Residential Life1996 10.Judicial Programs1997 11.Learning Assistance Programs1997 12.Minority Student Programs1997 13.Recreational Sports Programs1997 14.Religious Programs 1997 15.Outcome Assessment Program Eval.1997 16.Student Orientation Programs1997

5. Functional Area Standards Followed By... Standard Latest Revision 17. Admission Programs (1986)1997 18. Alcohol and Other Drug Programs (1990) 1997 19. Women Student Programs (1990) 1997 Standard Adopted 20. International Student Programs 1995 21. Registrar Programs and Service1995 22. Financial Aid Programs 1996 23. Student Leadership Programs 1996 24. TRIO & Other Educational Opportunity Programs 1999 25. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender 2000 26. Campus Information and Visitors Services2000 27. Educational Services for Distance Learners2000 28. College Health Programs2001

6. Current CAS Projects and Initiatives Standards Undergoing Revision Standards Undergoing Revision Admission Programs Alcohol & Other Drug Programs Disability Services Fraternity and Sorority Housing and Residence Life Programs Religious Programs Master’s Level Preparation Programs Standards Under Development Standards Under Development Service Learning Programs Campus Auxiliary Services

7.  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 Mission

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

9. SACS Distance Learning Criteria 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 Criteria n 5.1.7 Library/learning Resources For Distance Learning Activities  The Institution must ensure provision and ready access to adequate...  1. library/learning resources  2. Library/learning services The Institution Must Either..  1. Own the Resources  2. Provide Access to Electronic Information Available Thru Existing Technologies -- OR –  3. Provide Resources Through Formal Agreements

10. Inter-Regional Statement on Evaluation of Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate 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

11. Inter-Regional Statement on Evaluation of Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programs Promoting a sense of community  Study Groups  Student Directories  Institutional Publications and Events  Student Government Representation  Invitations to Campus Events  Graduation Ceremonies

12.  Dan Connell, Academic Support and Extended Campus Programs, Morehead State University  Don Creamer (Chair), Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs, Virginia Tech,  Carmen Neuburger, Executive Director, American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Washington D.C.  Marianne Phelps, US Office of Postsecondary Education  Andrea Reeve, National TRIO Clearinghouse, Washington D.C.  Nancy Thompson, University System of Georgia Independent Study, American Association for Collegiate Independent Study  Martha Baer Wilmes, U of MD Commuter Affairs & Community Service, National Clearinghouse for Commuter Programs Distance Learning Standards Writing Committee

13. Distance Learning Standards Consultants and Advisors 1. 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

14. Distance Learning Standards Consultants and Advisors 8. 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

15. Understanding CAS Standards  CAS Standards... Represent INDISPENSABLE requirements of practice Are achievable by all programs Appear in BOLD PRINT Use auxiliary verbs MUST and SHALL

16. EXAMPLE: Distance Learning Mission Statement Standard BOLD type; Auxiliary verb MUST : Institutions must identify the characteristics of their distance students and adapt services to meet the needs of the particular populations they serve.

17. Understanding CAS Guidelines CAS Guidelines... Clarify & Amplify Standards Guides enhanced practice beyond essential functions Appear in LIGHT-FACED type Use verbs SHOULD and MAY

18. EXAMPLE: Distance Learner Academic Support Services Guideline Standard Information concerning academic support services must be made available.Guideline Distance 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.

19. 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

20. Putting the CAS standards to work  Decide on Type of Self-Study and Form Assessment Team  Select Guidelines (if any) to be Judged as Standards  Assessment Team Reviews Standards BEFORE Making Judgments  Identify and Summarize Available Documented Evidence A Self-Assessment Approach

21. Putting the CAS Standards to work  Judge Program Against Standards & Calculate Criteria Rating Scores  Describe Discrepancies Between Standards and Observed Practice  Identify Corrective Actions Needed  Recommend Enhancement Actions  Prepare an Overall Action Plan A Self-Assessment Approach (cont…)

22. Compile and Review Documentary Evidence Key to Assessment The Self-Assessment is not complete until relevant data AND related documentation are in place to support rater judgments.

23. 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

24. Formulating an Action Plan On the basis of that review and discussion, develop an ACTION PLAN to set new directions to guide future performance

25. Action Plan Components  Program Action Plans  Identify those responsible to complete action steps  Schedule dates for completing designated actions

26. CAS Standards Educational Services for Distance Learners: The Content

27. Mission  Definition of Distance Education-- separated by time and/or space  Comparable Services -- commensurate, but might have different needs.

28. Congruency of Mission & Program  Clearly Stated  Authority Exists  Leadership

29. Faculty Quality & Support Faculty key to distance learning: --Skilled in technology --Primary contact --Trained in special issues

30. Resources  Counselors  Service Technician  Advisors  Disability Services  Student Affairs Professionals  Site Administrators  Distribution Clubs  Library Resource Personnel

31.  Legal Responsibilities  Equal Opportunity, Access & Affirmative Action  Campus & Community Relations  Diversity

32.  Curriculum Course & Degree Requirements  Appropriate Faculty / Student Interactions  Technical, Competent Students

33. Access  Student Services  Academic Services Comparable Quality to those On-Campus

34. Services to Assess Information for Prospective Students Admissions Financial Aid Registration

35. Services to Assess (Cont…) Orientation Advising Technical Support Career Services

36. Services to Assess (Cont…) Library Services Services for Students with Disabilities Counseling Academic Support (e.g., Tutoring, SI)

37. Services to Assess (Cont…) Instructional Materials Promoting Identity Other (e.g., Leadership Development, Wellness)

38. Services to Assess (Cont…) Ethics Assessment

39. 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?