An item from this “national standards” initiative.

Dear NSQ Community, We are thrilled to extend an invitation for you, a member of the NSQ Community, to join the review committee for the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQ). We are excited to embark on a journey to refresh these crucial standards, and your expertise would be invaluable. Sign up to volunteer to help with the review/refresh process here.  Background Information: The NSQ sets – Online Courses, Online Teaching, and Online Programs – are pivotal in benchmarking quality online learning. Last revised in 2019 and 2020, these standards require a periodic review to ensure they continue to serve as effective tools for educators. This review is undertaken by the DLC, Quality Matters, and the VLLA, aiming to review each standard set based on new research and to incorporate additional guidance, examples, and use cases into the standard documents. The refresh/revision process will be lead by: Course Standards Jason Neiffer – Montana Digital Academy Betsy Springer – Gull Lake Virtual Partnership Program Standards Chris Harrington – Michigan Virtual Amy Michalowski – VHS Learning Teaching Standards Rachel McBroom – North Carolina Virtual Public School Wendy Oliver – FocalPoint Education Process Overview: Start Date: The refresh or revision process will start in mid to late April. Completion: Committee work will be concluded by the end of October, with the updated standards published in January 2025. Structure: The committee will consist of up to 30 members, each focusing on different areas of the standard set. Roles: Opportunities range from Workgroup Leads to Standard Workgroup Members, contributing to various aspects of the revision. Commitment: Participants are expected to contribute between 15-60 hours (depending on the standard set and needed updates) over the next 6 months. Expectations for Participation: Review of Current Research: NSQ will provide a summary of findings found from the research, survey results, and focus group findings for guidance. Active Engagement: Attend virtual meetings, provide feedback, and participate in discussions about the standards. Collaboration and Leadership: Workgroup Leads will facilitate meetings, manage feedback, and collaborate closely with chairs and members. Timeline: April-October 2024: Active working period for the committee, including meetings, reviews, and feedback sessions. November 2024: Co-chairs and NSQ Managers will work together to finalize changes and create a crosswalk document between the three documents. December 2024: NSQ Managing Team will finalize layout and marketing and communications of new standard sets. January 2025: Publication of the revised standards. To streamline our process and ensure your best fit within the committee, we’ve prepared a short survey. Please take a moment to fill it out, indicating your preferred standard set and any specific role you’re interested in. Your contribution to this endeavor is not only an opportunity to shape the landscape of quality online learning but also to collaborate with like-minded professionals dedicated to advancing education standards. You will be recognized for your work on the NSQ website and within the published standard document. Looking forward to the possibility of working together on this vital project. Warm regards, Cindy Hamblin, VLLA Allison Powell, DLC Suzanne Scheffler, QM Contact Us

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