Questions for BOE teams in the review of branch campuses, institutions with programs at multiple sites, and distance learning programs:

1. How do the following areas differ across sites and in distance learning programs in which candidates take more than half of their coursework? How appropriate are the differences and are the differences defensible?

• Admission requirements
• Candidate performance on key assessments, including the development of proficiencies related to working with P-12 students from diverse populations
• Field experiences and clinical practice, including how the unit ensures that candidates are working with P-12 students from diverse populations
• Qualifications of university/college and school-based faculty
• Conceptual framework
• Financial support

 2. How is the unit addressing the following areas in distance learning programs and across sites in which candidates take more than half of their coursework?

• Evaluations that provide systematic and ongoing data about these programs for use in program improvement
• Unit control, coordination, and evaluation of programs, including programs that are acquired through contract with an outside vendor or delivered in a consortium arrangement
• Advisement and personal access of candidates to faculty
• Technical system to ensure consistent and reliable delivery of the programs and to provide necessary security for testing and assessments (e.g., monitoring that the person completing assignments is actually the person enrolled in the program)?

Units should make arrangements for BOE team members to interview candidates, faculty, alumni, and administrators in distance learning programs and across sites where educators are able to complete over half of its coursework. If candidates can complete their full education program at a site, a site has extensive offerings in educator preparation, or a large number of candidates participate in educator preparation programs at the site, team members may choose to visit the site. In other cases, interviews and tours might be arranged electronically (e.g., video conferences or e-mail communications). If sites that are to be visited are not geographically close to the main campus, additional team members may be added to the team. Decisions about whether to visit one or more campuses are determined by the BOE team chair and NCATE staff in consultation with the unit representatives and state consultant.