Montana Passes Bizarre Distance Learning Law – Requires Online College Instructors to Have High School Subject Certification

Posted by in Uncategorized May 14th, 2007

Montana recently passed a distance learning proposal that, quite frankly, is bizarre. The Great Falls Tribune Online explains:

"Over the objections of school administrators and parents, the Montana Board of Public education unanimously passed an online education proposal Friday pushed by the teachers' union.

It requires that all distance learning, including college courses, be supervised by a Montana-certified K-12 teacher accredited in the discipline being taught."

So, state-certified high school teachers (generally with a bachelor's degree) are more qualified to teach online classes than college professors (generally holding a doctorate or at least a master's degree)? The concept makes no sense.

As a former public school teacher, I have to guess that this strange and potentially-destructive proposal is due to an inappropriately powerful teacher's union. Hopefully online college professors will have the opportunity to fight back.

For the complete story see: Distance-Learning Certification Passes Board of Education.

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