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<p class="MsoNormal">Good morning all,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don’t know of an institutional accreditor that does not require institutions to be approved for DE before offering programs by DE. But the Department of Education’s rule recently changed with a repeal of earlier guidance that only required
accreditor approval if 50% of a program was offered by Distance. That rule has now changed and the determination is to be made at the course level. So institutions must have DE approval by their accreditors (with DE in their recognized scope) for any amount
of DE offered. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course there is flexibility for institutions to offer DE without accreditation approval during the national emergency and for 180 days after it ends. However, most of the institutional accreditors that I am aware of have either required
or strongly suggested that institutions apply for approval now since the end of the national emergency and the temporary Department of Ed approval for DE is uncertain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope this is helpful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Elise<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Elise Scanlon Law Group<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1101 17<sup>th</sup> Street, NW<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suite 808<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Washington, D.C. 20036<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">703.772.2880<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Elise.scanlon@elisescanlonlawgroup.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">Elise.scanlon@elisescanlonlawgroup.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.elisescanlonlawgroup.com/"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.elisescanlonlawgroup.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This e-mail communication (including any attachments) may contain legally privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you should immediately stop
reading this message and delete it from your system. Any unauthorized reading, distribution, copying or other use of this communication (or its attachments) is strictly prohibited.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> S-SARA <s-sara-bounces@lists.onenet.net> <b>On Behalf Of
</b>Lee, Angela (OSSE)<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, July 1, 2021 11:16 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> s-sara@lists.onenet.net<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [S-SARA] Accreditor Distance Education Approval<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Good morning everyone,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This raises an interesting topic (and honestly a concern for me).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would contend that simply because the accreditor is recognized by the US DOE to oversee distance education that does not mean that the institution is qualified to offer distance education.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Playing off of SARA’s use of the driver’s license analogy; <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am a licensed driver (accreditor). That does not make my daughter (institution) eligible to drive.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why wouldn’t we want the institution to be fully approved for distance education prior to approving them for SARA?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have a great day all,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Angela<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Angela H. Lee<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://helc.osse.dc.gov/"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:blue">Higher Education Licensure Commission</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#4F81BD">
</span><u><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">202-412-4705 (direct)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://forms.gle/u3HRxEkLyp1MDi727"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Click here</span></a><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> to complete a customer experience survey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> S-SARA <<a href="mailto:s-sara-bounces@lists.onenet.net">s-sara-bounces@lists.onenet.net</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Elise A Scanlon<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 30, 2021 4:26 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:s-sara@lists.onenet.net">s-sara@lists.onenet.net</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [S-SARA] Accreditor Distance Education Approval<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="border:solid #9C6500 1.0pt;padding:2.0pt 2.0pt 2.0pt 2.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt;background:#FFEB9C"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#9C6500">CAUTION:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"> This email originated from outside of the DC Government. Do not click on links
or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know that the content is safe. If you believe that this email is suspicious, please forward to
<a href="mailto:phishing@dc.gov">phishing@dc.gov</a> for additional analysis by OCTO Security Operations Center (SOC).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thought is that the institution is offering DE under the Department of Education’s COVID flexibilities which will remain in place until 180 days after the national emergency is declared ended by the President. Ultimately, they will
have to receive the approval of their accreditor to continue offering DE. It might be worth asking the institution to explain the discrepancy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> S-SARA <<a href="mailto:s-sara-bounces@lists.onenet.net">s-sara-bounces@lists.onenet.net</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Elisa Jaden<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 30, 2021 4:17 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:s-sara@lists.onenet.net">s-sara@lists.onenet.net</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [S-SARA] Accreditor Distance Education Approval<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Good afternoon,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">It is my understanding that as long as the accrediting agency’s scope of recognition includes distance education, the institution is covered should they offer or choose to begin offering DE courses/programs.
But I am curious to hear from the SPEs on their interpretation/implementation of this policy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Elisa Jaden</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Interim SARA Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Regional Program Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Education Technology and Multistate Cooperative Programs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Southern Regional Education Board<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Phone (404) 879-5517<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">E-mail: <span style="color:blue"><a href="mailto:elisa.jaden@sreb.org"><span style="color:blue">elisa.jaden@sreb.org</span></a></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> S-SARA <<a href="mailto:s-sara-bounces@lists.onenet.net">s-sara-bounces@lists.onenet.net</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Adam Hawk<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 30, 2021 3:59 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:s-sara@lists.onenet.net">s-sara@lists.onenet.net</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [S-SARA] Accreditor Distance Education Approval<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Good afternoon everyone, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have an initial applicant that is seeking SARA membership. They are SACSCOC accredited, but when I reviewed their information on the SACSCOC website, it does not list a Distance Education Approval Date. When looking at the NC-SARA manual,
it does not specifically say that they have to be approved by their accreditor to offer distance education to be eligible to participate. It states, “whose scope of recognition, as specified by the U.S. Department of Education, includes distance education”.
Has anyone had this issue or have thoughts on eligibility if the institution is accredited by an accreditor whose scope includes distance education, but they do not show they been approved to offer distance education? Hopefully you can see the screenshots
below. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="504" height="79" style="width:5.25in;height:.8194in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image005.jpg@01D76E6E.0BAA3140"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="469" height="271" style="width:4.8819in;height:2.8263in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image006.jpg@01D76E6E.0BAA3140"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for the feedback. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Adam Hawk
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">| <b>Program Manager/GA-SARA Coordinator<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Tucker, Georgia 30084
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">770.414.3</span></u><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">310</span></u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
| </span><a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnpec.georgia.gov%2F&data=04%7C01%7Celisa.jaden%40sreb.org%7C1ea33bba87f44ee91f3108d93c0187b6%7Ceb20950b168c497a98452b099844f3ef%7C0%7C0%7C637606799546622689%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=VZZ23BnmffsClD7kkRgyccuEBO%2Bco%2BX2OQccLyoiFmw%3D&reserved=0"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue">www.gnpec.georgia.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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