A group of institutions that primarily serve adult students through distance education announced a plan today to let potential students compare the effectiveness of their various academic programs. The announcement was made at the National Press Club in Washington.
The organization, called the Presidents’ Forum, is made up of 10 institutions, including Excelsior College and Capella University. They mostly enroll students over the age of 25 who are seeking degrees for professional advancement or a career change.
Starting in 2009, the institutions plan to release what they call “Transparency By Design Reports,” which will measure the academic outcomes of their programs so students can see which ones would be most helpful for their chosen careers before they enroll. Under the plan, the reports will provide data on exactly what professional skills an academic program provides and how successful alumni are in their careers after they graduate. —Dan Carnevale
Developing online and blended learning programs requires research and collaboration. Learn how top technology companies are partnering with campuses across the country to advance online learning as it becomes an increasingly important aspect of higher education.