Convergent Media Systems' Dr. Holly A. Robinson to Serve On ACCSCT Advisory Committee On Distance Learning

Business Wire, Sept 22, 2000

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2000

Convergent Media Systems, a leading applications service provider of satellite-delivered Internet protocol (IP) video, broadband and interactive learning solutions, today announced the appointment of Dr. Holly A. Robinson to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) Advisory Committee on Distance Learning.

The advisory committee will evaluate and make recommendations on ACCSCT standards and procedures for the evaluation of distance learning programs.

"The committee has been formed to participate in the development and maintenance of valid and reliable measures of quality in distance education," says Elise Scanlon, executive director of ACCSCT. "In addition, the committee will keep the commission informed of the latest trends in distance learning, including technological advances, learning strategies and changes in the market."

"I am pleased to have an opportunity to serve on this committee. With more schools and colleges offering distance education, it is important to set up systems to ensure the students are learning," says Dr. Robinson, executive director of learning, Convergent. "The ACCSCT committee will help to maintain valid and reliable measures of educational quality for distance learning programs."

The committee will consist of approximately five members at the outset, including school representatives who have experience in distance learning, distance learning experts, and an accreditor. Committee members will participate in the on-site and/or on-line evaluation of distance learning programs approximately three to four times per year. The committee will also assist the commission in developing its own distance learning programs for use in training staff, evaluation of team members and school personnel.

"Convergent has always been committed to staying at the forefront of trends and technologies in distance learning," adds Robinson. "Our participation on the panel will help the company remain informed of the latest changes and developments in distance learning. In addition, we will have the opportunity to evaluate new approaches of distance learning and e-learning programs, which we anticipate being invaluable to our corporate, education and government market clients."

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) is a private, non-profit independent agency that accredits postsecondary career schools and colleges. Formerly know as the Accrediting Commission of National Association of Trade and Technical Schools (NATTS), ACCSCT is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a national accrediting agency for private, postsecondary institutions offering occupational vocational programs. The commission's 13-member body consists of six public members representing government, industry or postsecondary education community and seven members representing the private career school sector.

Convergent helps the nation's leading organizations train, educate and communicate. Convergent pioneered the satellite-delivery of business television in 1980 and today operates 70 percent of the nation's private satellite television networks. Convergent provides turnkey services to implement and support satellite-based television, interactive distance learning and Internet protocol-enabled broadcast networks. Clients include Channel One/PRIMEDIA, Federal Express, Bank of America, Volkswagen of North America, Merrill Lynch, EDS, Texas Education Agency, IBM, AT&T and the U.S. Postal Service. For more information, see http://www.convergent.com.