Distance Education and the Six Regional Accrediting Commissions: A Comparative Analysis

Keywords

distance education, principle, practice

Abstract

The last comparative analysis of distance education principles and practices used by the six major regional accrediting commissions (New England, Middle States, North Central, Southern, Northwest, and Western) was conducted as part of a master’s thesis in August, 2000 by Southern Illinois graduate student, Vincent Flango (Flango). During this time, and since, distance education has burgeoned but its learning outcomes has also come under closer scrutiny by the institutions who sponsor it, by the consortiums and associations who administer it, and by Congress and other legislative bodies who regulate it. The six regional accreditation agencies have each responded—and will continue to respond—to these changes and interests in the prevailing political and educational environ. Therefore, this study is a snapshot-in-time of the approach presently used by each of the major regional accrediting commissions to review those distance learning programs within the scope of their influence—it, too, will stand in need of being updated again in just a few years.

Original Publication Citation

Howell, S., Baker, K., Zuehl, J., and Johansen, J. (March 5, 2007). Distance education and the six regional accrediting commissions: A comparative analysis. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No.ED495650)

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2005-03-05

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8485

Publisher

ERIC

Language

English

College

David O. McKay School of Education

Department

Instructional Psychology and Technology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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