Section 1450.295  Distance Education Courses  

Distance education courses are courses in which instruction does not take place in a traditional face to face classroom situation but rather when instruction takes place through other media.  Distance education programs include but are not limited to those that are presented through on-line courses, interactive classrooms, video conferencing, audio tape, print media, video tape, compact disks and interactive computer.  Distance education courses shall be affiliated with a licensed pre-license or CE school and meet the curriculum requirements set forth in Section 1450.276 and/or Section 1450.286 of this Part, as applicable.

a)         Distance education courses must meet all requirements for pre-license or CE courses, whichever is applicable, and any additional requirements established by the Act and this Part.

b)         Distance education courses shall be submitted to the Division for review and approval as provided for in Section 1450.276 or Section 1450.286, whichever is applicable. 

c)         Pre-license or CE schools providing distance education courses shall establish written policies and procedures for grading examinations and lessons, which shall include provisions for instructor comments, suggestions and written correction of errors. There shall also be written procedures for the prompt return of materials.  Copies of these policies shall be provided to the Division upon request.

d)         Schools providing distance education courses shall establish performance objectives for each course.

e)         Pre-license schools offering distance education courses shall maintain an average passing rate of at least 40% for all students who take the licensure examination for the first time over a 6 month period, either January through June or July through December.

f)          Schools providing distance education courses shall provide for a valid licensed instructor to be available during normal business hours to answer student questions.

g)         Each school offering distance education courses shall submit for approval by the Division the general plans for proctoring exams for distance education courses and each school shall be responsible for the security and integrity of course final examinations and the suitability of the sites and proctors utilized by the school.

h)         Each school offering distance education shall provide appropriate technical support throughout the period the courses are offered.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 11075, effective June 8, 2006)