State Standards For Distance Education

Transcription

1 State Standards For Distance Education (EFFECTIVE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THEREAFTER) Cecil J. Picard, Superintendent January 2000

2 State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Ms. Glenny Lee Buquet President 3 rd District Ms. Donna Contois 1 st District Dr. James Stafford 5 th District Dr. John Bertrand 7 th District Mr. Gerald Dill Member-at-Large Mr. Paul Pastorek Member-at-Large Mr. Keith Johnson Secretary-Treasurer 2 nd District Mr. Walter Lee 4 th District Dr. Richard Musemeche 6 th District Ms. Linda Johnson 8 th District Ms. Leslie Jacobs Member-at-Large Ms. Weegie Peabody Executive Director This public document was published at a cost of per copy by the State Department of Education to provide assistance with distance education to teachers and administrators in LEAs, under authority of R. S. 17:22. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. For additional information about the Standards for Distance Education, contact Sheila Talamo Louisiana Center for Educational Technology 2758-D Brightside Drive Baton Rouge, LA stalamo@lcet.state.la.us or or visit the web site at

3 MISSION This document is a framework for developing and implementing quality distance education programs based upon learning, research, dialogue, and practice. PHILOSOPHY Distance education provides instruction to individual learners who are separated from their teachers by space and/or time. Correspondence courses, with students and teachers communicating to a large extent through the mail, are one of the earliest forms of distance learning experiences. The world of distance learning expanded with the advent of satellite and computer audio-graphic technologies. Over the past ten years, thousands of Louisiana students have experienced distance learning through the 8(g) funded Statewide Distance Learning Network (SDLN). Satellite-delivered courses (SERC, StarNet, and PeachStar) and Telelearning courses (Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts) are the current core of the SDLN. Emerging technologies, such as the Internet and video conferencing, provide new opportunities of distance learning. Web-based instruction, compressed and IP videoconferencing instruction, satellite-delivered, and web-supported instruction will expand the walls of the traditional school. These new technologies make possible interactive and authentic learning experiences and increase collaboration between teacher and learner -- in effect, creating a virtual classroom. To ensure high quality education programs through available technology, Distance Education Standards have been developed. These Standards support the core beliefs set forth by the state educational technology goal: All educators and learners will have access to technologies that are effective in improving student achievement. They also align with the mission of the State Content Standards: To develop rigorous and challenging standards that will enable all students to become lifelong learners and productive citizens of the 21 st century. These standards are designed to guide the development and implementation of a distance education program at the system and school level. The Louisiana Content Standards Initiative recognizes technology as a valuable tool in the education process. Establishing guidelines for educational technology and for secondary computer/technology courses will enhance the effective integration of technology in standards-based curricula. 1

4 Distance Education (Effective for the school year and thereafter) Standard 1: Foundations for a Standards-Based Distance Education Program Local Distance Education Programs shall support the State Content Standards Initiatives. 1.1 Distance education programs shall support the mission of the standards-based initiatives: to develop rigorous and challenging standards that will enable all Louisiana students to become lifelong learners and productive citizens for the 21 st century ; 1.2 Distance education courses shall incorporate the Foundation Skills of the State Content Standards (Communication, Problem Solving, Resource Access and Utilization, Linking and Generating Knowledge, and Citizenship). Standard 2: Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators: Bulletin 741 Distance education shall comply with all policies set forth by the SBESE as stated in current Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators: Bulletin 741. Standard 3: Development of Standards-Based Distance Education Program Development of Standards-Based Distance Education Program: Responsibilities of the Receiving LEA or School (A "receiving" LEA or School is defined as any LEA or school that has students enrolled in courses via distance learning.) 3.1 The receiving LEA or school shall ensure that each distance education course is provided by an institution accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body or is authorized by the LEA or SEA; 3.2 The receiving LEA or school shall ensure that the content, instruction and assessment of each distance education course are comparable in rigor and breadth to a traditionally delivered course; 3.3 The receiving LEA or school shall ensure that instruction is provided by certified teachers with appropriate credentials; 3.4 The receiving LEA or school shall ensure that all students enrolled in a distance learning course are provided with the necessary course materials, textbooks, and technical support. 3.5 The receiving LEA shall evaluate the effectiveness of each distance education course received in the district. 2

5 Responsibilities of the Provider of any Distance Learning Course (A provider could be an LEA, school, agency, or educational organization.) 3.6 The provider shall define minimum prerequisite technology competencies for student participation in distance education courses if such competencies are required for course access; 3.7 The provider shall identify and provide necessary and relevant resources, including, but not limited to, research information, periodicals, supplemental materials and/or extension resources; 3.5 The provider shall ensure that teachers delivering instruction in distance education courses use a variety of methods to assess student mastery of the content as reflected in the Louisiana Content Standards; 3.6 The provider shall ensure that teachers delivering instruction in distance education courses provide timely and informative feedback for support and remediation; 3.7 The provider shall provide a complete syllabus prior to course implementation; 3.8 The provider shall provide course content that is systematically designed, clearly written and revised based on student performance and feedback; 3.9 The provider shall provide courses which are designed to engage students in learning activities based on various learning styles and to accommodate individual differences, including student disabilities; 3.10 The provider shall ensure that all course content complies with copyright fair use laws and policies; 3.11 The provider shall ensure that instruction provides opportunities for student-to-teacher and student-to-student interaction; Standard 4: Management and Administration Management and Administration: Responsibilities of the Receiving LEA or school 4.1 The receiving LEA or school shall judiciously address issues relative to course load and student-teacher ratio as appropriate for the particular method of delivery and particular course content and as recommended in the Louisiana Distance Education Handbook; 4.2 The receiving LEA shall award credit for distance education courses; 3

6 4.3 The receiving LEA or school shall ensure that a facilitator who is a qualified teacher is assigned to each student participating in distance education courses; 4.4 The receiving LEA or school shall ensure that the facilitator adheres to guidelines stated in the Louisiana Distance Education Handbook; 4.5 The receiving LEA or school shall ensure that the facilitator is provided adequate technical support to ensure ease of use for faculty and students; 4.6 The receiving LEA or school shall provide adequate and appropriate technical support to students and facilitator; 4.7 The receiving LEA shall provide the facilitator ongoing staff development to support distance education courses technically and instructionally; 4.8 The receiving LEA shall ensure that students have appropriate and adequate access to equipment required for course participation; Responsibilities of the Provider 4.9 The provider shall judiciously address issues relative to course load and student-teacher ratio as appropriate for the particular method of delivery and particular course content and as recommended in the Louisiana Distance Education Handbook; 4.10 The provider shall ensure that the teacher providing instruction adheres to guidelines stated in the Louisiana Distance Education Handbook; 4.11 The provider shall ensure that the teacher providing instruction is provided adequate technical support to ensure ease of use for faculty and students; 4.12 The provider shall furnish training and/or support in designing course content to fit the delivery methods proposed for distance education courses; Responsibilities of the Teacher 4.13 The teacher delivering instruction and the facilitator shall be responsible for verifying student participation and performance; 4.14 The teacher delivering instruction shall provide alternate course procedures and activities for use in case of technical problems when technical problems prevent normal course delivery; 4.15 The teacher delivering instruction shall maintain a secure environment which includes, but is not limited to, monitoring online discussions and other instructional activities; 4

7 4.16 The teacher delivering instruction shall practice ethical and legal use of equipment; Responsibilities of the Facilitator 4.17 The facilitator shall practice ethical and legal use of equipment; 4.18 The teacher delivering instruction and the facilitator shall be responsible for verifying student participation and performance; 4.19 The facilitator shall implement alternate course procedures and activities when technical problems prevent normal course delivery; 4.20 The facilitator shall maintain secure environments, including, but not limited to, monitoring online discussions and other instructional activities as they occur in the classroom as directed by the teacher delivering instruction; Standard 5: Technical Specifications: 5.1 The receiving LEA shall provide students enrolled in distance education courses technical access which meets specifications in the Louisiana Distance Education Handbook; Technical access includes, but is not limited to, 1) a viewing screen which is large enough for all students to have unobstructed views; 2) sound which can be clearly heard by all students; 3) equitable use of computers and peripherals required for participation in the course. See the Louisiana Distance Education Handbook. 5.2 The receiving LEA shall provide instructional and communication hardware which meets current industry standards; 5.3 The receiving LEA shall provide adequate funding for hardware maintenance; 5.4 The receiving LEA shall provide immediate and sustained technical support. 5

8 Committee for Advancing Technology Standards (CATS) Steering Committee Sheryl Abshire, Committee Chairperson District Technology Coordinator Calcasieu Parish Schools Nancy Beben, Mathematics Program Manager Margaret Curette, Educational Technology Specialist Joana Dieterich, Educational Technology Specialist Jennifer Falls, Standards Supervisor Carl Gaines, District Technology Coordinator St. Bernard Parish Schools Mary Handayan, District Technology Coordinator St. Landry Parish Rhonda Lee, District Technology Coordinator St. James Parish Richard Loftin, Director of External Affairs Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts Kathy Mouton, English Language Arts Program Manager Maureen Nesser, Network Administrator Louise S. McGehee School Everett Parker, Educational Technology Specialist Alita Robertson, Educational Technology Consultant Sheila Talamo, Asst. Director Instructional Technology Marilee Waguespack, LACUE President Orleans Parish Schools Sonja Webb, Instructional Technology Specialist Caddo Parish Schools Carol Whelan, Director of Technology Kim Fossey, Chairperson LSU College of Education Committee for Advancing Technology Standards (CATS) Distance Learning Task Force Committee Dr. Timothy Gilbert, Supervisor of Technology Bossier Parish Schools Mr. Mike Abbiatti, Assoc. Commissioner for Info. and Learning Tech. Board of Regents Sheryl Abshire, Technology Coordinator Calcasieu Parish Schools Dr. Betsy Almerico, Technology Coordinator Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center Region I David Beste Secondary Standards K-12 Dr. Steve Bett, Director Telelearning, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Melissa Bahlinger LSU Computing Services John Chambers Educational Service Louisiana Public Broadcasting Billy Crawford, Assistant Superintendent Louisiana State Department of Education Margaret Curette, Educational Technology Specialist Louisiana State Department of Education Dr. Jennifer Falls, Standards and Assessment Louisiana State Department of Education Mary Handayan, Technology Coordinator St. Landry Parish Schools David Hooper, Technology Coordinator Allen Parish Schools Janet LaBruyere, Librarian Webster Parish Schools Kim LeBlanc, Teacher Calcasieu Parish Schools Dr. Don Litton, Principal Red River Parish Schools Dr. Richard Loftin, Director of External Affairs Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Leinda Peterman, Director America 2000 Challenge Grant, Concordia Parish Schools Catherine Rankin, Teacher Sabine Parish Schools Helen Ware, Distance Learning Coordinator McNeese State University Dr. Carol Whelan, Director of Technology Louisiana State Department of Education 6

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