Registration+Subcommittee+Notes

These notes are from the 11/24 2:00-4:00 meeting, comprised of representatives from each AEA, aiming to develop agreement about a common system for online courses in Iowa's AEAs. Attending were Robert Vittengl (1), Bruce Floyd (1), Rhonda Sheeley (1), Sara McInerny (267), Brian Unruh (267), Sandy Spangler (8), Cindy Swanson (9), Sherry Sines (10), Sharon Kurns (11), Evan Abbey (11), Judy Griffin (13), Kathy Lockard (14), Jon Wibbels (NWAEA), Katie Gavin (GPAEA), Brent Siegrist (AEA representative).

The committee looked at the questions developed by the online council around the topic of the common system.

Bruce suggested that everything be housed in one location, including the registration system, the taking in of fees and paying for costs, the HR tasks for instructors, the approval of courses, the policies around courses, and the technological support. That location would be one AEA willing (or most able) to take on the task. All the other AEAs would then defer those responsibilities to that AEA. Sandy raised the issue of local professional development budgets being dependent on the money from courses, and how that would be potentially damaging if a local AEA didn't have access to that budget. Robert suggested coming to consensus to revisit the structure in the future if it is found that is inequitable (the date proposed would be after a year). Each member was in agreement that the state needed to have a common system, and that the best way forward was to let one AEA take on the responsibility.

Katie mentioned that one issue for the group to consider was the inconsistencies of graduate institution costs among the different AEAs. Morningside, Viterbo, and Drake are the 3 predominant institutions, and each have different costs at different AEAs. Bruce suggested that the online consortium director (or project manager) would be chiefly responsible for negotiating with the institutions for one set price for online classes. This would be true of other fees, such as the fee for licensure renewal, the cost for instructors, and so forth. Robert mentioned that the venture would not be a money-losing service or a money-making service. The hosting AEA would need to place prices so that they covered the operation costs (to be adjusted after the first year), and that all additional revenue would go to the unified budget, some of which would support statewide positions, and some of which might be used for purchasing of content for statewide use.

Sara raised the question about outside parameters (other than cost) that would need to be agreed upon. She mentioned that AEA 267, in an effort to stay consistent with the Iowa Professional Development Model, requires courses to be 3 months in length for infusion of learning into professional practice. Other AEAs mentioned this, while a recommendation, was not a requirement for courses. It was determined that a sub-committee should look at a common course proposal system that was agreeable to all AEAs. Sandy mentioned that there existed a previous course proposal for online courses (Editor note: It appears that course proposal is located here on the wiki). The subcommittee would look at that course proposal and make necessary edits. This subcommittee would then report back to the licensure renewal coordinators at the January 6 meeting. Members of the subcommittee include Sandy Spangler (chair), Sara McInerny, Kathy Lockard, Sherry Sines, and Katie Gavin.

Sharon raised the question of what the process will be used to determine which AEA will be the central AEA system. The group composed a list of criteria, including the technological infrastructure and support, a registration system that could meet the needs for the increased traffic (and be flexible). It was suggested that an RFP process be created so that AEAs could each have equal opportunity, and that the RFP would be built on the criteria. Sara mentioned that AEA 267 had recently used a matrix when looking for a new registration system that was much more specific. The committee agreed it would use 267's matrix and add in any other criteria from the general discussion that were not present already on it. Sara will forward the matrix to Sharon, who will take the steps necessary to make it available for AEAs to complete. That process would be completed and ready for the online council to make a decision by January 21.

Evan asked what the process would be to formally write up the agreement for the common system. Robert suggested that the online council would determine the operating principles, also by January 21st. The committee agreed. After the host AEA and the project manager have been chosen, they will then take the operating principles, and develop the specific policies (including fees and costs).