WCET’s State Authorization Network, founded to help institutions work together to navigate authorization regulations, which vary from state to state, is now in its second year. Network members receive training on state and federal regulations, share their experiences in seeking authorization, and develop strategies for effectively navigating authorization. The number of public systems, interstate consortia, and individual institutions participating in the network grew from 29 to 35; the network serves more than 600 public and private institutions throughout the country.

WICHE and WCET staff are working with a regional steering committee of higher education leaders from all sectors, staff of regulatory agencies, accreditors, and legislative and executive branch representatives to develop the WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, to establish reciprocity between WICHE member states that accept each others’ authorization of institutions to offer education services beyond state boundaries. The agreement is intended to facilitate expanded access to high-quality distance educational opportunities for students by improving state policy and operational mechanisms. WICHE has benefitted greatly in the development of this agreement from the work of the Presidents Forum and Council of State Governments. With support from Lumina Foundation, they have been engaged in an effort to create a model nationwide interstate reciprocity program. Building on that effort, WICHE’s agreement proposes a framework that would allow the four regional interstate compacts (and states and territories that do not currently belong to one of the four interstate compacts) to join together in a collaborative effort to ensure nationwide coverage of reciprocal agreements. Review and approval of the draft agreement will be on the agenda of the WICHE Commission’s November meeting; the leaders of the other regional compacts are anticipated to take similar action during this timeframe.

June 2012  | Share this on Twitter | Post this on Facebook