Annual Meeting of the National Governors Assoc.

Forum Members,
I was glue to the tv (c-span) this moring watching the Governor tackle various issues in Higher Education. I cannot help but point out the tenacity and conviction with which Governors Tom Ridge D- Pennsylvania,Gov. Mike Leavitt R-Utah, Gov. Paul Patton D-Kentucky and the outgoing Chairman of the Assoc. Gov. Paris Glendening (a former Prof.)defended Non Traditional schools. & competency based learning.Gov. Leavitt pratically described the current system vis avis RA schools as Klan-ish like, in the sence that they don't want to see anything different from their own approach in Higher Ed.
The Governor further recommended Competence based learning as opposed to the Traditional credit-Currencing as he descibed
the idea of (acquiring college credits via classroom learning.)He in particur recommeded a system whereby students / learners are credited for what they already know as opposed to insisting that they meet a particular sylabus requirements via credit acquisition. Gov.Patton of Kentucky descibed the various Regional Accrediting Agencies as Biased because they are in his words , DOMINATED BY TRADITIONAL ACADEMICIANS.Gov. Glendening as a matter fact stated that untill he came into office, it was illegal for non traditional schools to open up offices and award degrees in his state (MD.)

in summary it is my own believe that non traditional Schools & competency based learning will soon gain their rightfull
positions in American Higher Education Arena.And that other non RA accrediting agencies will move out of their current RODNY DANGERFIELD domain.infact the President of The U of maryland in Baltimore MD. Freeman Hrabowski actally confessed that a lot of his colligues in the traditional schools are actually afraid of the non-traditional schools, and are threatned by the grownig popularity of competensy based laerning system.Also present in the meeting was Jorge Klor de Alva. Chairman & CEO of Appolo international. (Owner of University of Phoenix).Who artributed the success of his school to (among other things)quality assurance in costomer service.Needless to say that he too think the current Accreditation process is regulatory if not punitive.
Well what do you think ????????

Timmy.

 

Hello, Timmy -

In my own experience as a faculty member of a brick-and-mortar university, I find this to be true; many of my colleagues worry that they'll inevitably be replaced by "canned content" delivered online and overseen by individuals with less formal education than our graduate students. However, I feel that distance education will eventually be dominated by the "traditional" institutions in the U.S. (or at least by those that take it seriously). For those students that have just graduated high school, traditional learning modes will dominate for some time to come. However, we have reached a point where our rapidly changing technology and economy requires many of us to acquire additional education in our adult lives. For such adult learners, nontraditional programs will dominate (and, I would argue, already DO dominate).

<SNIP>

Since most U.S. institutions of higher learning offer primarily traditional modes of learning, this is inevitable. However, some of these "dinosaurs" are evolving. Among regional accrediting bodies, North Central in particular, seems to be receptive to distance education. However, it is quite clear that at least a few of the remaining regional accrediting bodies will have to be dragged kicking and screaming toward acceptance of DL as a legitimate educational mode.

I agree that nontraditional learning modes are going to "overcome". However, I think it likely that RA accreditors will EVENTUALLY change.

My own opinion on Phoenix's apparent lack of respect on the part of traditional educators holds that more educators fear the for-profit status of Phoenix more than its nontraditional delivery modes. As to the "regulatory" nature of RA accreditors, this is entirely true - in a nation whose government has virtually no oversight on higher education, some entities had to fill the breach. As to "punitive" - perhaps some accreditors are now. IMO, those accreditors that do not adapt will perish!

Thanks for the post, Timmy

Mark

 

Thanks Mark, for a great contribution.

Tim.

 

Who artributed the success of his school to (among other things)quality assurance in costomer service.Needless to say that he too think the current Accreditation process is regulatory if not punitive.

Well what do you think ????????
Timmy.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Timmy: Thank you for this very pertinent post. Do you know how to get a printed copy of this discussion?

On a side note, California has been greatly critized on this NG for aligning the BPPVE with The Department of Consumer Affairs. Students are consumers and as long as a team of educators head up the BPPVE it doesn't matter which department the BPPVE falls under.

To the moderators:

Thank you for setting up a separate discussion group (Off-Topic Discussions) for the Smack Talk and Social discussions. I encourage everyone to (PLEASE) use this discussion group for any postings not directly related to the topic of distance education and hope THE moderators use their power to move less-than-serious posts to more appropriate threads.

Regards, Wes

 

Who artributed the success of his school to (among other things)quality assurance in costomer service.Needless to say that he too think the current Accreditation process is regulatory if not punitive.

Well what do you think ????????
Timmy.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Timmy: Thank you for this very pertinent post. Do you know how to get a printed copy of this discussion?

On a side note, California has been greatly critized on this NG for aligning the BPPVE with The Department of Consumer Affairs. Students are consumers and as long as a team of educators head up the BPPVE it doesn't matter which department the BPPVE falls under.

To the moderators:

Thank you for setting up a separate discussion group (Off-Topic Discussions) for the Smack Talk and Social discussions. I encourage everyone to (PLEASE) use this discussion group for any postings not directly related to the topic of distance education and hope THE moderators use their power to move less-than-serious posts to more appropriate threads.

Regards, Wes

 

Ah, but it very much matters. Prior to the reorganization of the three-tier system in 1989, California's CPPVE could take on and evaluate the programs it chose to. The vast majority of programs from unaccredited schools fell into the "Authorized" category. The few schools that applied to get one or more of their programs "Approved" could expect some scrutiny. But now that the low-maintenance "Authorized" category has been eliminated, all unaccredited schools in California must be evaluated for "Approval" (and, for "Approval" of all of their programs, not just a select few).

That, coupled with the move to the Department of Consumer Affairs, signals a significant change in emphasis, from one of academic evaluation to one of making sure the consumer doesn't get ripped off. This sets the bar much lower, exemplified by some of the not-so-good schools that continue to operate with California's approval. (Not to mention several that operate degree programs from the state without the state's approval.)

For anyone that's been around since the heydays of the 1970's, this is a whole different ball game. Faced with evaluating and approving of several thousand unaccredited schools (instead of a few dozen degree programs), and basically being in the consumer protection busines, the California DCA has its hands full with something it surely never asked for. And it behaves like it is closing its eyes and hoping it will all go away.

Rich Douglas

 

Wes,
It is good to see you staying. I don't know how to get a print copy of the said meeting .I'll continue to monitor c-span for a clue. I also hope a forum member will help

Thanks,

Tim.

 

Wes,

I was perusing the periodicals at Elon University yesterday and came across this information in The Chronicle for Higher Education. I don't remember which edition, however, it was during the last few months.

Glad to have you posting again!

Russell