The English Discipline Council meeting of theSouth Dakota Board of Regents discussed several discipline specific policies that were relevant to the schools under the Board.

Amongst other things, the discussion regarding the adoption of the Straighter Line by the Board was debated upon. Website:http://www.straighterline.com/

Straighter Line program allows students to gain credit for courses, including composition, that are offered from many institutions. Some of the courses, including English Composition, appear to offer sub-standard instruction. The StraighterLine courses do not offer any operating principles or motivations for educating studentthat reflect and are monitored by a not-for-profit system of academic integrity.

The discussion of this item was the most heated of the meeting, since institutions would be, in effect, granting Straighter Line the ability to choose what courses would transfer in. There was not much support for that proposal. Discussions will continue both at the board and institutional levels. I will keep the group informed regarding its developments.