Topic: Distance/Online Education
Online, Distance and Personalized Learning
SREB brings states together to share online postsecondary programs and follows online teaching and learning from K-12 through college.
Access to Online Courses Across the Nation
A collaboration of states is making it easier and safer for students to find and pursue online college courses.
All 16 SREB states participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. SARA makes it easier for states to regulate interstate distance education, and it eliminates approval costs for colleges and universities that are often passed to students.
Find SARA institutions in your state >
COVID-19 and Broadband Access in SREB States
Resources and Strategies for Extended School Closures
Access to broadband speeds sufficient for digital learning has become one of the most pressing education issues of the COVID-19 pandemic. This briefing offers an overview of the Federal Communications Commission Keep Americans Connected Pledge, the E-Rate program extension, TV white space, CARES Act funding and additional K-20 strategies to expand broadband access.
SARA Return on Investment in SREB States
Saving Time and Money, Broadening Online Offerings
Colleges and universities in the SREB region save about $30 million annually by participating in SARA, according to estimates in a return-on-investment study by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. SARA, the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, is a nationwide system to offer more high-quality distance education programs for students and ease regulatory burdens on institutions. SREB compact states may participate to offer distance education activities in other states.
|
Initial Authorization |
Annual Renewal Savings (estimated) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $ 6,396,800 | $ 1,789,600 |
| Arkansas | $ 2,575,200 | $ 767,400 |
| Delaware | $ 603,800 | $ 160,400 |
| Florida | $ 12,208,000 | $ 3,357,200 |
| Georgia | $ 7,652,500 | $ 2,227,000 |
| Kentucky | $ 8,101,000 | $ 2,381,700 |
| Louisiana | $ 3,147,000 | $ 893,400 |
| Maryland | $ 4,490,000 | $ 1,250,000 |
| Mississippi | $ 3,027,750 | $ 862,250 |
| North Carolina | $ 11,092,000 | $ 3,185,600 |
| Oklahoma | $ 2,701,600 | $ 783,200 |
| South Carolina | $ 5,555,200 | $ 1,588,800 |
| Tennessee | $ 8,904,800 | $ 2,577,600 |
| Texas | $ 11,063,587 | $ 3,034,175 |
| Virginia | $ 6,699,900 | $ 1,907,100 |
| West Virginia | $ 2,479,550 | $ 755,350 |
For the purposes of SARA, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands affiliate through SREB.
| Initial Authorization Savings (estimated) |
Annual Renewal Savings (estimated) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $10,420,200 | $3,352,200 |
| Puerto Rico | joined after the study | joined after the study |
| Virgin Islands | $ 63,000 | $ 22,000 |
| Washington, D.C. | $ 2,635,500 | $ 797,500 |
Glossary of Personalized Learning
Personalized learning tailors teaching and learning to each student’s interests, pace and abilities. This glossary offers definitions of topics to provide a broad perspective on the concept.
Direct From the Inside: KCTCS Direct2Degree Program
This document reports on the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s 2013 Next Generation Learning Challenges grant to focus on breakthrough models for enhancing college completion. The KCTCS Direct2Degree program targeted low-income students in rural areas.
Confessions of the NOTYs: How Technology Helps Teachers Succeed
Winners and finalists of the SREB/iNACOL National Online Teachers of the Year award share ways to integrate technology into the classroom to engage students. Benefits include connecting with each student as an individual; differentiating instruction; and increasing access to courses. The teachers say teacher preparation programs should introduce online strategies and that states need strong accountability measures to ensure high quality courses.
Principles of Good Practice
The Principles of Good Practice were developed to assure students about the quality of courses and programs at SREB’s Electronic Campus (now SARA.) The principles draw upon the work of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and other organizations.