The California State University system has announced the selection of Pearson eCollege as its partner to launch a new online education program next year.
Cal State Online will provide fully online CSU programs developed by faculty from all 23 campuses, and pilot programs are scheduled for launched in spring of 2013.
Pearson is a global leader in education technology, according to its website. The company, which owns Penguin books and the Financial Times, has developed similar programs in Arizona, Kentucky and Oregon, among other states and in other countries.
"Pearson eCollege’s expertise and demonstrated success in online education and experience with large state universities make them an excellent fit for Cal State Online," said John Welty, president of Fresno State University and the chair of the Cal State Online Board, in the press release.
Cal State Online and Pearson eCollege will be using a cloud-based learning management system and use student data to monitor performance. The program will also develop course and instruction support systems.
According to the Cal State Online website, the initiative got its start from the Technology Steering Committee (TSC). The TSC’s goal is to increase individual access to post-secondary education opportunities. The TSC, a CSU panel of campus experts called the Online Working Group (OWG), and Richard N. Katz and Associates drafted a plan for Cal State Online, which was endorsed by the CSU Presidents in June 2011.
In late 2011, the TSC hired Ruth Claire Black as Cal State Online’s founding Executive Director.
The university system’s general fund will not be used to pay for the development of Cal State Online, according to spokesman Eric Fallis. Pearson will be compensated from the program’s proceeds based on student enrollment.
