The Rhode Island Senate has passed legislation introduced by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) that would require accreditation for “distance learning” institutions.

Distance learning is a method of delivering education and instruction, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional classroom setting.

The bill (2017-S 0554) would require accreditation by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education for distance learning institutions to transact business or grant degrees in Rhode Island.

“This legislation provides a safeguard for students to ensure that their online degree is from an accredited institution,” said Gallo “As we strive to create more jobs in Rhode Island, we must encourage residents to get the education they need, and to do it in a way that is most convenient for them. Distance education is one such means, but we owe it to them to ensure that education is coming from an accredited institution.”

The bill clarifies that higher education institutions may be accredited by their regional accrediting body that equivalent to the New England Board of Higher Education when they are offering degrees in Rhode Island via distance learning

The U.S. Department of Education, through its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), estimated that some 5.5 million students took at least one online college course in the fall of 2012. Of that number, about 2.6 million were enrolled in fully online programs. 

In 2015, Senator Gallo sponsored a bill (2015-S 0455A) that was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the governor that established regulations and standards for distance learning educational programs, to be approved by the councils on elementary and secondary education and postsecondary education.

The measure, which was introduced at the behest of the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, now heads to the House of Representatives, which passed similar legislation (2017-H 5661) introduced by Rep. Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist. 62, Pawtucket).