Distance Learning Association

The United States Distance Learning Associationthe first to graduate from Purdue Universitys
(USDLA) is a non-profit association formed inveterinary technician direct learning program.
1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. ItAnother news item reported that a leading
promotes the development and application ofeducation finance company, Chela Education
distance learning for education and training andFinancing, has agreed to provide $30,000.00 in
serves the needs of the distance learningscholarships to students who undertake an online
community by providing advocacy, information,degree distance learning program.
networking and opportunity.The USDLA also has 30 state chapters from
Its Board of Directors features academics andArizona to West Virginia, each of which provide
officers from some of the best schools in thethe same resources and support to students and
country including Stanford University, Oklahomaeducators involved in distance learning programs
State University, and the University of Texas.within their state jurisdiction. It has a special
They run a number of programs designed tochapter for the Federal Government District
assist and support students and teachers growLearning Association and it has plans to expand so
and learn in the distance learning environment.that every state in the union will have an active
One of their best-known programs is calledvoice to promote distance learning in their area.
Educating Everyone and operating under theOne of the most important roles that the USDLA
umbrella of the USDLA it provides directplays is in the monitoring and regulation of
broadcast educational programs for the Pre K-12,distance learning programs throughout the United
Higher Education, Teacher ProfessionalStates. While they do not have the authority to
Development and General Public constituencies.grant or remove accreditation from a school or
Program offerings include foreign languageinstitution the USDLA does review and accredit
instruction, teacher training, and other generaldistance learning institutions. They focus on
information using digital satellite transmissionevaluating the effectiveness of the distance
technology on a 24 x 7 schedule.learning program, evaluating the quality of the
The USDLA is also a great resource forinstitutions themselves, and most importantly
information about distance learning in this country.providing information on quality assurance of
On their website at you will find information aboutdistance learning through its publications and
breakthroughs and firsts in the direct learningwebsite.
world. Like the fact that two students became