SECTION 2.204. Distance Education Standards and Criteria; the Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education

The following provisions apply to all institutions covered under this subchapter, unless otherwise specified:

(1) Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education. The Coordinating Board will adopt standards and criteria for Distance Education in the Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education. An institution's Institutional Plan for Distance Education ("Plan" or "IPDE") shall conform to the Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education in effect at the time the institution submits the Plan, as described in §2.205 of this subchapter.

(A) Content of the Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education. The Principles of Good Practice for Education will contain a list of criteria necessary for the institution to demonstrate provision of high-quality distance education. These criteria may Include provisions relating to:

(i) Institutional Context and Commitment;

(ii) Curriculum and Instruction;

(iii) Faculty;

(iv) Evaluation and Assessment;

(v) Facilities and Finances; and

(vi) Adherence to Federal Requirements.

(B) Process to Adopt the Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education. Board Staff will present the Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education to the Board for adoption no less than every three years. In revising the Principles of Good Practice, Board Staff may consider input from the Learning Technology Advisory Committee and best practice standards developed by external bodies, Including institutional accreditors.

(2) Institutions offering or seeking to offer distance education programs shall comply with:

(A) Principles and policies of their institutional accreditor.

(B) Procedures governing the approval of distance education programs.

(C) Standards outlined in Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education.

(D) Data reporting associated with distance education offerings as required by the Commissioner.

Source Note: The provisions of this §2.204 adopted to be effective May 18, 2023, 48 TexReg 2493