Abstract
This issue brief published by the National Governors Association (NGA) states that as providers and regulators of online education, governors should consider calling for a review of current state laws and regulations surrounding authorization of online programs, focusing on questions in three key areas:
- Purpose: What is the state trying to accomplish through the authorization process?
- Requirements: What is required of institutions seeking authorization? How do the requirements relate to the purpose(s) of authorization?
- Capacity and cost: Does the state have a sustainable model for authorization, assuming that the number of online institutions and programs seeking authorization will continue to grow? Could economies of scale be realized by joining with other states to authorize online institutions and programs?