Distance Learning Policy Laboratory

At its June, 1999, meeting, the Southern Regional Education Board approved the establishment of the SREB Distance Learning Policy Laboratory. Building upon the work of the Educational Technology Cooperative and the Electronic Campus, the Policy Laboratory seeks to reduce or eliminate existing or potential policy barriers to distance learning activities in three broad areas: access, quality, and cost. The Policy Laboratory’s main objectives are:

• Assessing educational policy issues that are identified as barriers;
• Establishing policy baselines of current practices, procedures and strategies;
• Assisting states and institutions as they develop ways to use technology to improve quality, expand access, and reduce costs;
• Establishing trial or pilot efforts with State Partners to test new distance learning approaches or strategies;
• Promoting state-level policy changes via existing SREB organizational arrangements and agreements;
• Developing and testing agreements among institutions and states;
• Utilizing the regional platform to serve as a clearinghouse for states and institutions to discuss policy issues and concerns; and
• Measuring the implementation of policy changes in the SREB states and widely disseminating the results.

The SREB Distance Learning Policy Laboratory is supported by a grant from The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education’s (FIPSE) Learning Anytime, Anywhere Partnerships (LAAP) grant and by a matching grant from the Stranahan Foundation of Toledo, Ohio. Established in 1944, this foundation supports projects in education, health care, and cultural and community activities. It is dedicated to the support of learning institutions that value independent thinking; artistic appreciation; cultural, economic and ethnic diversity; and community service.