Christ-Centered Distance Learning
Christ-Centered Distance Learning
Philosophy
Seventh-day Adventist education is deliberate in providing a Christ-centered curriculum. The policies, standards, and guidelines for distance education courses support this premise. Distance education courses actively engage students in a manner that strengthens their relationship with Christ.
Adventist distance education is student-focused and utilizes principles of best practice. Students are engaged in active learning enabled by instructors who select a variety of appropriate teaching strategies, modes, media, and assessment.
Rationale
Today’s educational landscape is very different than it was even five years ago. Classes were taught by local teachers to a physically present classroom of students. With the opportunity of schools to deliver and receive classes to and from many sources, it is important to ensure that educational quality is preserved.
Griggs International Academy is the partner that the NAD Office of Education has chosen to help facilitate and coordinate distance education programs across the division. Although the NAD and the local unions will be approving the programs, it is recommended that schools consult with Griggs to access resources. It is important that each student be ensured a quality educational experience, including spiritual, social and emotional dimensions. It is the responsibility of the distance education provider to be sure that all classes include the spiritual and social aspects.
Distance Education Accrediting Organizations
DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING COUNCIL (DETC)
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1926 that operates as an institutional accreditor of distance education institutions. Accreditation by DEAC covers all distance education activities within an institution and it provides accreditation from the secondary school level through professional doctoral degree-granting institutions. Our website is designed to be a resource for all those interested in distance education accreditation: students, faculty, administrators and the public.
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL ACCREDITATION (NCPSA)
Serves as a national review panel for the standards and review procedures of private school accrediting associations.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR K-12 ONLINE LEARNING (INACOL)
The mission of iNACOL is to drive the transformation of education systems and accelerate the advancement of breakthrough policies and practices to ensure high-quality learning for all.
Schools Seeking Approval
Schools who wish to be approved to provide distance learning must go through the steps below:
- Review the Distance Education Criteria document.
- Complete Justification Statement process.
- Complete the NAD Distance Learning Application
- Review and complete all steps listed on the NAD Distance Learning Checklist
Note: Linked files automatically download.
Approved Distance Learning Schools
Guidelines for Schools Wishing to use Distance Learning Providers
The NAD Technology and Distance Education Committee (TDEC) has made some guidelines/protocols for schools that wish to use courses, or entire programs/curricula from an outside provider.
Full Curriculum
Only programs that have been approved by TDEC and validated by the Union Directors of Education are to be used as a full course of study in our schools. (See the current list on the TDEC website (https://tdec.adventisteducation.org). Any program that does not have a distinct integration of Adventist faith and worldview will not be considered for approval.
Partial Curriculum
If a school wants to use a course to supplement the secondary curriculum on campus with an online provider, permission must be obtained from the local conference PK-12 board of education and the Union Office of Education. We strongly encourage that online secondary courses needing to be taken outside of the curriculum offered on campus be taken through NAD approved vendors (see website). Schools wishing to offer any courses provided by entities not on the approved NAD provider list, must have pre-approval from the Union Office of Education in consultation with the local Conference Office of Education.
Curriculum Provider
Should a school desire to act as the provider of curriculum, the school must adhere to the full protocol described on our website for becoming an approved provider. See: Criteria for Authorization to be a DE Provider
Guidelines for Schools Wishing to use Distance Learning Providers
