Draft:Portage Learning

= Portage Learning = Portage Learning is a non-degree awarding online educational institution that supports colleges and universities. Portage Learning offers prerequisites and corequisites so students can enter or maintain good standing in their programs. Curriculum is primarily directed toward college students, but also includes high school/post secondary and graduate level courses. Each course is delivered online on the platform, designed by a team of faculty subject matter experts, and can be started any day of the year.

Accreditation
Portage Learning partners with Geneva College, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), to provide college courses for the students and institutions it serves. Department chairs and faculty senate at Geneva College approve all Portage Learning courses following standards set forth by MSCHE. Transcripts for the Geneva-Portage Learning courses are issued by Geneva College and delivered at no cost to colleges and universities nationwide. Independent of Geneva College, Portage Learning is fully accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), the highest accreditation level for which it is eligible.

Course Information & Delivery
Through its partnership with Geneva College (MSCHE), Portage Learning currently offers 32 college courses in the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology, English, and Humanities. Portage Learning also offers college preparatory courses (formerly "Nursing ABC") designed to meet post-secondary entrance prerequisites and continuing education needs in Chemistry, Biology and Math. Portage Learning students can start a course any day of the year. All syllabi are published online. Semester credit hours are awarded for completed college courses. Final grades are recorded as a letter grade with a +/- scale. All written content is built into the courses so students do not have to purchase textbooks. The courses also include video lectures with closed-captioning, which can be viewed multiple times to understand the material and prepare for examinations. Each student has direct access to a professor and receives support and consistent feedback.

Students have the flexility to engage with the course material on their schedule and take exams when they feel prepared. However, students are required to wait 48 hours between exams as recommended by the U.S. Department of Education’s best learning practices. Students have six months from registration to begin a course, and must complete the course within one calendar year of that start date.

Tuition & Payment
Portage Learning is not subscription-based. Tuition is the only expense — all content is built into each course and no external resources are required. Transcripts are sent free of charge to as many institutions as a student chooses. Full tuition is due at time of registration. Portage Learning offers a tuition discount for those currently serving in the military, for those who previously served, and their spouses and dependents. Scholarships are awarded annually to qualified students.

Technical Requirements
Students are strongly encouraged to use a desktop or laptop computer running Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS and iPadOS equipped with a functioning webcam and microphone. The latest full version of the Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari browsers are required for the optimal operation of the Canvas Learning Management System. A high-speed Internet connection is required for video lectures and labs. Portage Learning also offers low-cost technology options for qualified students.

History
Founded in 1972 to offer distance learning to nursing students, Portage Learning has since transformed into an online educational institution. Dr. Ken Hartman, a professor of Chemistry at Geneva College, began teaching chemistry, biology, and math to nursing students. Initially, Dr. Hartman served regional nursing schools alone and he was later joined by several faculty members as enrollment expanded. As more schools sought these prerequisite courses for their students, Dr. Hartman recognized the importance of seeking accreditation and in 2005, accreditation under the postsecondary status was awarded by the Middle States Association. As the need for distance education grew at that time, so did the need for college courses within these disciplines, which led to a partnership with Geneva College in 2010. Through this partnership, Portage Learning now has 60 professors teaching more than 30 college courses, including labs and graduate level options nationwide.

Leadership
Academic oversight of Portage Learning includes:

•Academic Deans (3)

•Associate Dean (1)

•Department Chairs (9) for Biology, Chemistry, Math, English & Humanities, Psychology, and Portage Prep.

•Professors (60+)Portage Learning also features dedicated staff and teams devoted to:

•Academic analysis

•Instructional design

•Student services

•Academic coaching

•Engineering

•Course filming and

•Institutional engagement

Non-Profit Service
Portage Learning, through its nonprofit entity, Portage Community 501(c)(3), provides scholarships and mentoring domestically and internationally, and free medical clinics in the Dominican Republic.