Eduventures Report Makes Sense of Unexpected Higher Ed Issue: New Title IV Regulations on Distance Learning Across State Borders

BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report ("Online Learning Across State Borders: Assessing State Regulation of Out-of-State Schools") published by Eduventures on recent and unexpected federal intervention on regulation of distance learning makes recommendations to schools about addressing the regulations.  

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On October 28, 2010, the federal government published final rules under the "Program Integrity" strand of the most recent round of negotiated rulemaking. Under the new rules, universities and colleges that participate in Title IV funding and operate in multiple states via distance learning must comply with whatever "authorization to operate" regulations are in place in those states where the institution has enrolled students or is otherwise active based on state definitions.

"We are at an important juncture," said Richard Garrett, Managing Director of Eduventures' Continuing and Professional Education Learning Collaborative (CPE-LC) and Online Higher Education Learning Collaborative (OHE-LC). "The rapid growth of online learning is in tension with historical assumptions about in-state and campus-based higher education."

"States have a duty to protect residents," added Marina Brauch, co-author of the report and a Research Analyst at Eduventures, "but now that hundreds of schools nationwide recruit and enroll students across state lines through online delivery, the question is whether state-by-state oversight is best suited to the task."

By July 1, 2011, all Title-IV eligible universities and colleges – public, private or for-profit, two- or four-year, regionally or nationally accredited – must be able to document compliance to the federal government upon request. Currently, there is no consistency among states in terms of statutory language and enforcement, nor among universities and colleges in terms of licensing type and volume.

Eduventures' report helps schools understand the context and significance of the new regulations through:

• An updated state typology, placing each state in one of four categories: (1) Accreditation Exemption, (2) Physical Presence, (3) Online Ambiguous, or (4) Online Explicit
• A breakdown of states that regulate in-person recruitment and marketing
• Commentary on out-of-state licensing volume over time: 2007 versus 2010/11, by state and school type
• Recommended next steps for continuing education and distance learning leaders

"The promise of additional state oversight is stronger consumer protection," concluded Richard Garrett. "The risk is duplication of effort, inconsistency, and a brake on consumer choice."

For a copy of the report or to schedule a conversation with Richard Garrett or Marina Brauch, please contact Blair Maloney at [email protected] or +1-617-532-6063.

About Eduventures

Eduventures, Inc. is a research and consulting firm with deep expertise in higher education. We work with senior leaders at over 300 schools across the United States. Through our Learning Collaboratives and Consulting Division, we work with clients to drive enrollments, raise funds, optimize the academic portfolio, and operate more efficiently. Since 1993, the Boston-based firm has been helping higher education leaders solve pressing challenges with evidence-based insights and guidance. For more information, visit www.eduventures.com.  

SOURCE Eduventures