Article X. DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS - Schools that offer distance learning programs must meet the following criteria:
A. Institutional Readiness
(a) The school must have a plan to implement distance education instruction. At a minimum, the plan should include the rationale, resources, course/program objectives, content, and student assessment. The school must integrate this plan into the School Improvement Plan.
(b) The school must demonstrate adequate qualified personnel to provide leadership, support, and instruction to sustain a quality distance education program.
(c) The delivery method must be appropriate for students and the curriculum.
B. Admissions Requirements and Enrollment
(a) The school must identify the admission requirements of distance education courses/program/s and how it differs from, if applicable, the resident admission requirements.
(b) If an on-line admissions test is required, it must be administered in a manner which verifies the student’s identity. Schools must make it clear in writing at the time of enrollment how the student’s identity will be verified throughout the course and program, how the student’s privacy will be protected, and if the student will be assessed any additional charges associated with the verification of student identity.
(c) The school must clearly and appropriately state any requirements the students must possess or have access to in order to access this mode of delivery.
(d) The school must provide an on-line orientation program to familiarize the student with the equipment, resources used in the distance education activities, and orient the student to the distance education learning process.
C. Curriculum Content and Instruction and Delivery
(a) The curriculum guide must show that the distance education course(s) meet TEKS learning objectives.
(b) The course/program must demonstrate sufficient and appropriate interaction between faculty and students and among students.
(c) The school must demonstrate that the clock or credit hours required and awarded are appropriate for the credits offered using a thoroughly developed rationale.
(d) Curriculum must be administered in a way that maintains security of access.
(e) The school must demonstrate that the student who registers for a distance education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the academic credit. The verification method, at the option of the institution, may include a secure login and pass code, proctored examinations, and other appropriate student authentication or verification technology.
D. Faculty and Instructional Support
(a) The school must employ academically and experientially credentialed faculty to oversee the instruction, evaluation, and grading requirements of the distance education course/program.
(b) The faculty must possess the appropriate technical skills and be adequately trained to instruct in a distance education environment.
(c) The faculty must be supported with the appropriate educational resources and technology to instruct using this method of delivery. Students must also be provided with the appropriate technical and academic support to successfully complete the program/course using this form of instruction.
(d) The school must provide evidence that there is an appropriate number of faculty for the student population involved. The school must be able to justify their student-teacher ratio(s).
(e) The school must have a faculty development plan on file that is appropriate for each individual.
E. Resources and Equipment
(a) The school must demonstrate that it has adequate financial resources to support the form of delivery.
(b) Instructional resources, equipment, library resources, and network connectivity, if applicable, must be readily available, accessible, and reliable.
F. Student Evaluation and Program Assessment
(a) Requirements for successful completion of distance education courses/programs must be similar to those of residential courses/programs.
(b) Assessment of student performance and academic success should demonstrate outcomes for distance education courses/programs that are comparable to those of residential courses/programs. The assessment may include a synthesis of portfolios, group work, applied writing, pre- and post-testing, capstone courses, seminars, and on-line presentations (if applicable).
(c) The institution must document that it conducts course/program evaluations, including assessment of student learning outcomes and satisfaction.
G. Publications
(a) The institution must fully disclose what form(s) of instruction it uses in its catalog and web site and, when appropriate, in its advertising and promotional material.
A. Institutional Readiness
(a) The school must have a plan to implement distance education instruction. At a minimum, the plan should include the rationale, resources, course/program objectives, content, and student assessment. The school must integrate this plan into the School Improvement Plan.
(b) The school must demonstrate adequate qualified personnel to provide leadership, support, and instruction to sustain a quality distance education program.
(c) The delivery method must be appropriate for students and the curriculum.
B. Admissions Requirements and Enrollment
(a) The school must identify the admission requirements of distance education courses/program/s and how it differs from, if applicable, the resident admission requirements.
(b) If an on-line admissions test is required, it must be administered in a manner which verifies the student’s identity. Schools must make it clear in writing at the time of enrollment how the student’s identity will be verified throughout the course and program, how the student’s privacy will be protected, and if the student will be assessed any additional charges associated with the verification of student identity.
(c) The school must clearly and appropriately state any requirements the students must possess or have access to in order to access this mode of delivery.
(d) The school must provide an on-line orientation program to familiarize the student with the equipment, resources used in the distance education activities, and orient the student to the distance education learning process.
C. Curriculum Content and Instruction and Delivery
(a) The curriculum guide must show that the distance education course(s) meet TEKS learning objectives.
(b) The course/program must demonstrate sufficient and appropriate interaction between faculty and students and among students.
(c) The school must demonstrate that the clock or credit hours required and awarded are appropriate for the credits offered using a thoroughly developed rationale.
(d) Curriculum must be administered in a way that maintains security of access.
(e) The school must demonstrate that the student who registers for a distance education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the academic credit. The verification method, at the option of the institution, may include a secure login and pass code, proctored examinations, and other appropriate student authentication or verification technology.
D. Faculty and Instructional Support
(a) The school must employ academically and experientially credentialed faculty to oversee the instruction, evaluation, and grading requirements of the distance education course/program.
(b) The faculty must possess the appropriate technical skills and be adequately trained to instruct in a distance education environment.
(c) The faculty must be supported with the appropriate educational resources and technology to instruct using this method of delivery. Students must also be provided with the appropriate technical and academic support to successfully complete the program/course using this form of instruction.
(d) The school must provide evidence that there is an appropriate number of faculty for the student population involved. The school must be able to justify their student-teacher ratio(s).
(e) The school must have a faculty development plan on file that is appropriate for each individual.
E. Resources and Equipment
(a) The school must demonstrate that it has adequate financial resources to support the form of delivery.
(b) Instructional resources, equipment, library resources, and network connectivity, if applicable, must be readily available, accessible, and reliable.
F. Student Evaluation and Program Assessment
(a) Requirements for successful completion of distance education courses/programs must be similar to those of residential courses/programs.
(b) Assessment of student performance and academic success should demonstrate outcomes for distance education courses/programs that are comparable to those of residential courses/programs. The assessment may include a synthesis of portfolios, group work, applied writing, pre- and post-testing, capstone courses, seminars, and on-line presentations (if applicable).
(c) The institution must document that it conducts course/program evaluations, including assessment of student learning outcomes and satisfaction.
G. Publications
(a) The institution must fully disclose what form(s) of instruction it uses in its catalog and web site and, when appropriate, in its advertising and promotional material.
