Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education in Florida

Transcription

1 Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education in Florida University of South Florida Marshall Center, Room 4200 Tampa, Florida June 18, :00 a.m. 1

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3 Office of the Chancellor 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1614 Tallahassee, FL Phone Fax June 3, 2013 Dear Task Force Members, First and foremost, let me thank you for your willingness to serve on the Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education. The state of Florida is already a national leader in terms of its breadth of online offerings, and now is a good time for all of our delivery systems to collaborate to ensure we are getting the biggest return on investment. Together, we will set goals for online education, improve data collection to better track performance, raise awareness of online courses and programs, make effective use of technological innovations, explore collaborative licensing of resources and technology, and delve into issues surrounding Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Taken together, this represents an opportunity for Florida to put its imprint on the emerging international best practices for online learning. The charge to the task force covers a broad range of issues. As such, we have selected members who have a broad range of knowledge and experience. Because all these issues are ones that our various delivery systems are addressing the State University System, the Florida College System, and institutions in the private sector it was critical to have all represented at the table during these discussions. I want to especially thank Randy Hanna, Chancellor of the Florida College System, and Ed Moore, President of the Independent Colleges and Universities, for their counsel during the formation of the task force and look forward to working closely with them on this initiative. About the Task Force The task force has three committees, and the charge for each is included in the agenda packet. The issues to be addressed are written broadly for a reason: We are looking to you to give us your best advice. So, here are a few things to keep in mind as we take this journey: While a final report is due in December, we do not expect to have all of the answers at that point. We will look to you to identify any issues that need to be studied further. Some issues may already be addressed in another venue and do not need further exploration. If so, tell us what they are and how they are being handled. I Florida A&M University Florida Atlantic University Florida Gulf Coast University Florida International University Florida State University New College of Florida University of Central Florida University of Florida University of North Florida University of South Florida University of West Florida 3

4 expect, however, that you will be able to recommend a path for most issues in that charge. No comprehensive report on or plan for postsecondary online education in Florida exists at this point; your report will be the definitive product. Your report and recommendations will receive significant scrutiny from all directions, so be prepared for the attention it garners. This is an enormous task, and I encourage each of you to reach out to your peers for advice and assistance. The task force will hold an organizational meeting on June 18, 2013, at the University of South Florida s Marshall Center from 9:00-12:00. Following the meeting, the three committees will break out and meet over lunch. A map to the Marshall Center is included in the agenda packet, and USF will have a parking lot available for your use. (No parking permit will be required.) If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to contact Dr. Nancy McKee in our office at Nancy.McKee@flbog.edu or Thank you again for your service. I look forward to seeing you on June 18. Working together, Frank T. Brogan Chancellor cc: Dale Chu, Chief of Staff, Department of Education Pam Stewart, Chancellor, Public Schools Randy Hanna, Chancellor, Florida College System Ed Moore, President, Independent Colleges and Universities SUS and FCS vice presidents (academic, student affairs, administrative) and CIOs Florida Virtual Campus - Members Council on Distance Learning and Student Services 4

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7 AGENDA Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education in Florida University of South Florida Marshall Center, Room 4200 Tampa, Florida 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. or upon adjournment, June 18, Opening Remarks and Charge Chancellor Frank Brogan 2. Introductions Chair Joel Hartman 3. Remarks: a. Florida College System Chancellor Randy Hanna b. Independent Colleges and Universities President Art Kirk of Florida (ICUF) St. Leo University 4. Coordinated Online Activities in Other States: a. Kentucky Community and Technical College Chancellor Jay Box System (9:45 10:15) KCTCS b. University of Massachusetts (UMass Online) Dr. John Cunningham (10:20-10:50) Interim CEO UMass Online c. State University New York Learning Network Carey Hatch and Open SUNY (10:55-11:25) Associate Provost, SUNY 5. The Sunshine Law Chair Hartman 6. Expectations of Committees Chair Hartman 7. Closing Remarks and Adjournment* Chair Hartman Attachments * Upon adjournment of the Task Force, each committee will meet during lunch at reserved tables in the Marshall Center Ballroom. 7

9 TASK FORCE ON POSTSECONDARY ONLINE EDUCATION IN FLORIDA June 18, 2013 SUBJECT: Opening Remarks and Charge For Information PROPOSED TASK FORCE ACTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION The 2012 Legislature provided funds to the Board of Governors to obtain the services of a consulting firm that would study online education in Florida. A contract was awarded to The Parthenon Group; its report, Postsecondary Online Expansion in Florida, its Detailed Fact Base, and its cover letter were submitted to the Board Office on November 16, After multiple discussions, the Board s Strategic Planning Committee recommended that the full Board: 1. Use the Strategic Plan preeminence metrics to designate a university that would create a separate arm to provide online degree programs of the highest quality.. 2. Direct the Chancellor to form a systemwide work group that would report back to the Strategic Planning Committee and continue to work with colleges and universities and other delivery systems to determine ways in which services and online degree programs, including market-based job analyses, can be better coordinated to ensure State and student needs are being met in a cost-efficient and effective manner. The Board approved the Committee's recommended motions at its meeting on February 21, 2013, and the Legislature enacted a bill creating an online institute at a preeminent university, thereby implementing the first motion. The second motion is being implemented through the creation of the Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education in Florida. Supporting Documentation Included: Charge to the Task Force Facilitators/Presenters: Chancellor Frank Brogan 9

11 Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education in Florida Charge Recommend strategies for better coordinating services and online programs in the State University System and Florida College System and, to the extent feasible, across other delivery systems to ensure state economic development needs and student demands are being met in an effective and costefficient manner. Such recommendations are to include, but not be limited to: a. Goals for online education and related accountability measures for tracking performance on those goals; b. Improved data collection at the institutional and system levels. Such data collection must, at a minimum, be adequate for tracking performance on the accountability measures recommended above and shall include applicable cost components involved in the development and delivery of distance learning courses, as well as student feedback regarding the delivery and support of online education; c. Best practices that will lead to quality credit and noncredit programs; d. Viability/desirability of common technical capabilities; e. Alignment of online programs with identified State economic development needs and student demands; f. Raising awareness of online courses and programs to different segments of the market (marketing); g. Providing student support services in a collaborative, cost-efficient manner; h. Effective use of technological innovations (mobile devices, cloud computing, social networks, etc.); i. Providing faculty support services and encouraging interinstitutional faculty collaboration in course development; j. Development and expanded use of e-textbooks and other electronic materials; k. Collaborative licensing of resources and technology; l. Collaborative efforts related to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and to competency-based online courses, in cooperation with the Department of Education; and m. Sharing information and resources. 11

13 SUBJECT: Introductions For Information TASK FORCE ON POSTSECONDARY ONLINE EDUCATION IN FLORIDA June 18, 2013 PROPOSED TASK FORCE ACTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION After opening remarks by Chancellor Frank Brogan, Task Force Chair Joel Hartman will facilitate member introductions. Attached is the membership list and contact information for each person on the Task Force. Supporting Documentation Included: Membership List Facilitators/Presenters: Chair Joel Hartman 13

15 Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education in Florida MEMBERSHIP Name Organization Address Phone Number Dr. Joel Hartman, Chair Vice Provost for Information Technologies & Resources & CIO University of Central Florida (407) Craig Blazejewski Director, Interactive Marketing Valencia College (321) Dr. Valerie Bryan Professor, College of Education Florida Atlantic University (561) Jana Kooi President, Open Campus Florida State College at Jacksonville (904) Dr. Andy McCollough Associate Provost for Teaching & Technology University of Florida (352) Kathryn McFarland Vice President for Enrollment Saint Leo University (352) Angelia Millender Vice President Student Affairs Broward College (954) Dr. Michael Moore Associate Vice President University of South Florida (813) Don Muccino Executive Director Florida Virtual Campus (850) Dr. Pam Northrup Dean, College of Professional Studies University of West Florida (850) Myron Pincomb Trustee, University of North Florida The Pincomb Group (904) Dr. Mike Rollo Vice President of Student Affairs Rebecca (Becky) Rust Chief, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics Florida Gulf Coast University (239) Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (850) Dr. Eddie Wachter Professor, College of Engineering & Information Sciences DeVry University (407) Dr. Doug Wartzok Provost & Executive Vice President Florida International University (305) Ruth Ann Balla Executive Director, Virtual College Miami-Dade College (305)

16 Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education in Florida BOARD OF GOVERNORS STAFF Name Institution Address Phone Number Dr. Nancy McKee Associate Vice Chancellor State University System (850) CONSULTANT Name Institution Address Phone Number Cyndy Loomis Principal Consultant Information Systems of Florida (850) Tammy Young Senior Consultant Information Systems of Florida (850) Lauren Kemper Junior Consultant Information Systems of Florida (850)

17 TASK FORCE ON POSTSECONDARY ONLINE EDUCATION IN FLORIDA June 18, 2013 SUBJECT: Remarks For Information PROPOSED TASK FORCE ACTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION Randy Hanna, Chancellor of the Florida College System, and Art Kirk, President of St. Leo University, on behalf of Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, will give remarks to the Task Force. Supporting Documentation Included: Letter from Dr. Ed Moore, President of Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida Facilitators/Presenters: Chancellor Hanna and President Kirk 17

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23 TASK FORCE ON POSTSECONDARY ONLINE EDUCATION IN FLORIDA June 18, 2013 SUBJECT: Coordinated Online Activities in Other States For Information PROPOSED TASK FORCE ACTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION In order for the Task Force to learn from successful system coordination activities in other states, three speakers have been invited to present their systems strategies and achievements to date. a. Dr. Jay Box, Chancellor, Kentucky Community and Technical College System: The KCTCS, which consists of 16 community colleges and technical centers on 68 campuses, offers students the ability to take courses and degree programs online through two options: Learn by Term and Learn by Demand. According to the KCTCS Web site, typical semester-long courses are offered via Learn by Term, while Learn by Demand offers a different approach: A revolution in online education, Learn on Demand offers both parent courses and bite-size classes. Bite-size classes are about 3-5 weeks long and are called modules. Learn on Demand parent course offerings are 15-weeks long and include all modules required in a parent course. You can start on a schedule you choose. Modules build toward complete parent courses for affordable degrees, certificates, and diplomas. While these offerings are primarily offered online, some require exams and lab activities that may take place at an approved location convenient for the student. b. Dr. John Cunningham, Interim CEO of UMassOnline: Recognized as one of the top universities in the United States, the University of Massachusetts created UMassOnline in UMassOnline ( is the online learning consortium of the university and provides marketing and technology support for its online offerings at its Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and Worcester campuses. UMassOnline and its programs have been winners of multiple awards. Recently, the UMass Board of Trustees created a task force to examine UMassOnline s principles and practices after a decade of operation. c. Carey Hatch, Associate Provost, State University of New York: 23

24 The SUNY Learning Network ( is a partnership with SUNY Campuses to provide support in the areas of pedagogy, technology, student and faculty support and marketing service. In addition, in March 2013, the SUNY Board of Trustees announced its plans for implementing Open SUNY, which will bring all online courses offered at each of the system s 64 campuses onto a shared and comprehensive online environment... Supporting Documentation Included: None Facilitator: Chair Hartman 24

25 SUBJECT: The Sunshine Law TASK FORCE ON POSTSECONDARY ONLINE EDUCATION IN FLORIDA June 18, 2013 PROPOSED TASK FORCE ACTION For discussion BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Task Force will need to operate in the Sunshine. Attached is a memorandum written by Vikki Shirley, Board of Governors General Counsel, explaining the requirements of the Sunshine law. To help ensure the Task Force and its committees are operating within these requirements, please remember that Task Force members cannot discuss with each other issues that will come before the Task Force for action unless the meeting has been publicly noticed. To have the meeting noticed, please the meeting time and location (or, if a teleconference, the call-in number) to Nancy.McKee@flbog.edu. She will have the notice posted on the Task Force s website at: Supporting Documentation Included: Memo from Board of Governors General Counsel Facilitators/Presenters: Chair Joel Hartman 25

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29 TASK FORCE ON POSTSECONDARY ONLINE EDUCATION IN FLORIDA June 18, 2013 SUBJECT: Expectations of Committees For Information PROPOSED TASK FORCE ACTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION Each member of the Task Force will serve on one of three committees: Academic Affairs, Technology and Data Issues, or Faculty and Student Support Services. Committee members are encouraged to track deliberations of the other committees, because some issues being discussed may overlap discussions in other committees. The consultants will produce minutes of each committee meeting; those minutes will be posted on the Task Force web site after each meeting. Committees should designate a chair and vice chair and should feel free to create working groups or advisory groups as a way to involve other interested parties and to assist with the workload. The consultant will work with committees to develop a workplan with desired deliverables, assignments, and due dates. The consultant will assist with facilitating each committee meeting, working with the committee chair to develop the agenda, distribute related materials, schedule the call, and participate in the meeting. If the committee creates a working group or advisory group, it should be kept in mind that any meeting of these groups that anticipates more than one Task Force member being in attendance must be noticed on the Task Force web site at least three days (preferably a week) in advance of the meeting. All committee meetings must be noticed in advance, as well. Meeting notices are to be sent to Nancy.McKee@flbog.edu for posting. Based on committee input, research, conference calls, and writing assignments, the consultant will draft each committee s report, which will become a section of the Task Force report. After approval by each committee of its report, the consultant will consolidate the reports into a draft report for review by the Task Force. While a final report is due to Chancellor Brogan in December, it is not expected that the committees and Task Force will have all of the answers at that point. Issues that need to be studied further should be identified, with an explanation of why further study is needed. If an issue is already being addressed in another venue and does not need further exploration, the committee should so explain. The committees, though, should be able to make recommendations for action for most issues in their domain. 29

30 As background information regarding legislative and gubernatorial interest in online education, committee members may want to review the attachments at the end of the agenda packet. These attachments contain excerpts of bills related to online education passed by the 2013 Legislature, proviso in the 2013 General Appropriations Act, and the Governor s veto message. The next meeting of the Task Force will probably be in November; its purpose will be to review/edit/approve the consolidated draft report and recommendations. Supporting Documentation Included: Membership and Charge for each Committee Facilitators/Presenters: Chair Hartman 30

31 Task Force on Postsecondary Online Education in Florida Charge to the Committees Academic Affairs Membership: Dr. Doug Wartzok, FIU, Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Andy McCollough, UF, Associate Provost for Teaching and Technology Ruth Ann Balla, MDC, Executive Director, Virtual College of Miami Dade College Becky Rust, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bureau Chief Dr. Valerie Bryan, FAU, Professor, College of Education Jana Kooi, FSCJ, President, Open Campus Issues to consider: Goals and performance measures Aligning programs with state needs Best practices MOOCs Faculty collaboration for course Sharing information and resources development Development and use of e-textbooks and other electronic materials Technology and Data Issues Membership: Dr. Joel Hartman, UCF, Vice Provost for Information Technologies & Resources and CIO Don Muccino, Florida Virtual Campus, Executive Director Dr. Michael Moore, USF, Associate Vice President, Office of Decision Support Myron Pincomb, The Pincomb Group, CEO, and Trustee, UNF Issues to consider: Data Collection: quality, access and cost components Viability/desirability of common technical capabilities Use of technological trends for program and services delivery Collaborative licensing of resources and technology Sharing information and resources Faculty and Student Support Services Membership: Dr. Mike Rollo, FGCU, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Eddie Wachter, DeVry University, Professor Dr. Pam Northrup, UWF, Dean, College of Professional Studies Kathryn McFarland, St. Leo University, Vice President of Enrollment and Online Services Angelia Millender, Broward College, Vice President of Student Affairs Craig Blazejewski, Valencia College, Director, Interactive Marketing Issues to consider: Best practices in faculty and student services Increasing student awareness of programs and services (marketing) Collaborative, cost-efficient student and faculty support services Sharing information and resources 31

33 SUBJECT: Attachments For Information TASK FORCE ON POSTSECONDARY ONLINE EDUCATION IN FLORIDA June 18, 2013 PROPOSED TASK FORCE ACTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION Bills passed by the 2013 Legislature, as well as funding and proviso in the 2013 General Appropriations Act, reflect a keen legislative interest in online programs and services. The committees may want to take into consideration some of the issues found in the attached excerpts and how the language affects the work of the Task Force. Attachment I: CS/CS/SB 1076 (Approved by Governor 4/22/2013). Establishes an Institute for Online Learning at a preeminent state research university. The preeminent university is required to develop a plan by September 1, 2013, that will include some of the issues being addressed by the Task Force, such as recruitment and support services. The Task Force will discuss the extent to which such efforts could be coordinated with other institutions or entities. The University of Florida is the only institution meeting the standards specified in the bill; Dr. Andy McCollough, UF Associate Provost for Teaching and Technology, is a member of the Task Force and will provide a link between the Task Force and the Institute. Attachment II: CS/CS/SB 1076 (Approved by Governor 4/22/2013). Changes the Degree Completion Pilot Project to the Complete Florida Degree Program, to be implemented by the University of West Florida acting as the lead institution, in coordination with partnering institutions. Among requirements specified in this bill are those for online support services, data collection, identification of workforce needs and targeted occupations of the state, and student recruitment. The Task Force will discuss the extent to which such efforts could be coordinated with other institutions or entities. Dr. Pam Northrup, Dean of Professional Studies at UWF, is a member of the Task Force and will provide a link between the Task Force and the Complete Florida Degree Program. Attachment III: CS/HB 7029 (Status as of 5/29/2013 Has not been submitted to the Governor for action) Requires the Board of Governors and State Board of Education to adopt rules that enable students to earn academic credit for online courses, including massive open online courses, prior to initial enrollment at a postsecondary institution. The bill also requires the Department of Education to contract for a review and recommendations for online courses, including massive open online courses, and competency-based online courses for K-12 and postsecondary education. The Task 33

34 Force will be addressing these issues in cooperation with DOE, in order for the two groups to not duplicate each other s efforts. Attachment IV: Excerpt from the Governor s veto message 5/20/2013. The Governor vetoed $500,000 provided to DOE in the General Appropriations Act for a study on the accessibility and awarding of credit for K-12 and postsecondary online courses. His veto message requested that a report be submitted to the Legislature and his office by February 1, 2014; the report would identify areas in which further legislative changes are necessary to provide competency-based credits and utilize massive open online courses. The Task Force will be addressing these issues in cooperation with DOE, in order for the two groups to not duplicate each other s efforts. Attachment V: SB 1514 (Approved by the Governor on 5/20/2013). The section of law that created the Florida Virtual Campus last year from four existing entities (Florida Center for Library Automation, SUS; College Center for Library Automation, Florida College System; Florida Distance Learning Consortium; and the organization responsible for the student advising site, FACTS.org) was revised primarily to clarify information to be included in the Distance Learning Catalog and to require FLVC to coordinate with the SUS and FCS to identify and provide online academic support services and resources when the multi-institutional provision of such services and resources is more cost or operationally effective. The Task Force will take into consideration the vision of FLVC s Board of Directors as it discusses possibilities for the provision of coordinated services. The BOD will be having a strategic planning session on June 12, 2013, and the result of that session will be shared with Task Force members. Don Muccino, Executive Director of FLVC, is a member of the Task Force and will provide a link between the Task Force and the organization. Attachment VI: Proviso in the GAA for the Florida Virtual Campus, specifying the requirements for upgrades to technology and support services, including modernizing the distance learning catalog and expanding support services. This attachment is provided for information only. Don Muccino, Executive Director of FLVC, is a member of the Task Force and will provide a link between the Task Force and the organization. Attachment VII: Proviso in the GAA provides for a K-20 statewide student career and education planning and endorsement system, which is to include data from the Economic Security Report, as well as from other data points. The 2012 Legislature required the Department of Economic Opportunity to begin producing an annual report, which will include employment and earning outcomes for degrees or certificates earned at public postsecondary educational institutions. The attached language is provided for information, because the connection between workforce needs and academic programs has been a focus of legislative discussions. The Task Force charge includes recommendations for Alignment of online programs with identified State economic development needs and student demands. The Complete Florida Program (Attachment II) requires participating institutions to partner with public and private job recruitment and placement agencies and use labor market data and projections, 34

35 including those identified in the Board of Governors gap analysis, to identify the specific workforce needs and targeted occupations of the state. UF s institute for online learning (Attachment I) is required to periodically expand its offerings to meet student and market demands. Rebecca (Becky) Rust from the Department of Economic Opportunity is a member of the Task Force and will provide a link between the Economic Security Report and the Task Force. Attachment VIII: CS/HB 7029 (Status as of 5/29/2013 Has not been submitted to the Governor for action). Requires DOE to implement an initiative to expand K-12 student choices in online courses, including massive open online courses. This attachment is provided for information only, to reflect legislative interest in K-12 online courses, as well as postsecondary online courses and degree programs. Supporting Documentation Included: Excerpts from legislative bills, the General Appropriations Act, and the Governor s veto message Facilitators/Presenters: N/A 35

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