MISSION OF THE FORMER CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON
WEB-BASED EDUCATION

NOTE: As of January, 2001, the Congressional Commission on Web-based Education fulfilled its legislative charter of providing policy recommendations and research to the President and to Congress. Its Final Commission on Web-based Education Research Report is available on-line at http://www.hpcnet.org/webcommission

The mission of the Web-based Education Commission was to recommend actions to help ensure that all learners have full and equal access to the capabilities of the World Wide Web, and to ensure that online content and learning strategies are affordable and meet the highest standards of educational quality.

The Commission was charged by legislation to recommend to the President and Congress policies to assist education leaders at all levels to incorporate Web-based learning strategies to improve education and achievement. The Commission will conduct a thorough study of the critical pedagogical and policy issues affecting the development and use of Web-based content and learning strategies to improve achievement at the K-12 and post-secondary levels.

The Commission was charged with holding regional hearings in the United States as an element of its thorough study of critical, web-based education issues.

The Commission was charged to review the need for changes in applicable regulatory authority and quality assurance processes ­ including standards and accreditation. It was charged also to review programs to support equality in both the availability of training and access to the Web that are required to promote individualized learning.

Objectives of the former Congressional Commission on Web-based Education

The Commission established three, principal objectives:

1.Articulate a comprehensive policy "road-map" for
a. key education stakeholders
b. public policy officials
c. the private sector

2.Establish a strong presence on the World Wide Web that is a focal point of discussion and debate over the key policies affecting the deployment of Web-based content and learning strategies.
a. solicit and post expert witness testimony on web-based education issues
b. post expert witness testimony from Congressional Commission hearings

3.Provide specific policy guidance to Congress regarding how the Web can help improve student achievement as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization.

4. Fulfill the commission's legislative charge to prepare a thorough, well-grounded report of insight and policy recommendations on critical issues of web-based education for Congress and the President