Overview of the Supplemental NPRM: Distance Education

Deborah Koolbeck Director, Government Relations, AACTE

Questions will be taken at the end of the presentation.

Seeking Additional Information Based on the comments received through the initial NPRM in December 2014, the Department crafted a slightly different process for teacher preparation programs offered through distance education.

Definition of Distance Education Distance education means education that uses one or more of the technologies listed in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this definition to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor, either synchronously or asynchronously. The technologies may include— (1) The internet; (2) One-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices; (3) Audio conferencing; or (4) Video cassettes, DVDs, and CD-ROMs, if the cassettes, DVDs, or CD-ROMs are used in a course in conjunction with any of the technologies listed in paragraphs (1) through (3) of this definition.

Same Metrics Nothing has changed about the metrics: Student learning outcomes Employment outcomes (placement & retention, separating out high-need schools placement & retention) Survey results – graduates and principals Accreditation or program approval Each state will determine the weight of the metrics, with student learning outcomes weighted the most followed by employment outcomes in high-need schools.

The Difference “Brick and Mortar” programs where the institution is physically located in the state: The state must report on new teachers or recent graduates (as defined in the initial NPRM), and aggregate if the program produces less than 25 new teachers or recent graduates. Distance Education programs: The state must report on the program if at least 25 graduates of that program become certified in the state.

Aggregation Methods to Get to 25 Both “brick and mortar” and distance education programs could aggregate by: Aggregating similar programs operated by the same entity Aggregating data for a program over multiple years – limited to up to 4 years A combination of the two above

Consequences: TEACH Grants The department has proposed a new definition for high quality teacher preparation program offered through distance education which requires that no single State has classified the program as at-risk of being low-performing or low- performing. Thus if a distance education teacher preparation program operations in 20 states, and one state labels the program as at-risk of being low-performing or low-performing, no student in that program in ANY state may receive a TEACH grant.

Overview of Challenges ESEA Reauthorization and the waiver requirements Definition of distance education in regulations Workability of this new version & the whole system Still not meeting the consumer transparency aspect the Department states as a major reason to do this One state now could have authority over another Limits accessibility to teacher preparation program to candidates in rural areas or those in the workforce seeking to change profession. Presidential Budget Request on TEACH grants

Template Letter The template letter will be structured similarly to the template letter from the initial NPRM. There will be opportunities for you to personalize your letter and add specific data, information, and perspective. REMEMBER: REMEMBER: If you are submitting under your professional title and institutional letterhead, please work with your government relations office. You can always submit comments as a citizen, modifying the template letter accordingly. For example, you would not draft comments as the Dean of the School of Education, but as a person who happens to be a Dean.

How to Submit Go to this website: Depending on the length of your comment you may copy & paste or upload a Word / PDF document (or both). Once you advance past the current screen, you will be able to “preview” your comment before it is submitted for posting. After you approve your preview, you should print a copy of your confirmation of receipt. Save it for your own records.

This will be your opportunity to review your comment before submitting. It is important to properly identify yourself so that the Department knows who is commenting.

Deadline May 2, 2016 Response to the Supplemental NPRM Response to OMB on the cost and burden analysis NOTE The OMB response is generally not submitted through the Federal Register but there is not another address listed in the NPRM. We have reached out to the Department and the OMB for clarification. Please contact me directly for further information if you are submitting to the OMB.

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