WEST CHESTER, PA — As the landscape of legal education undergoes significant transformations, with an increasing number of American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law schools adopting online and hybrid Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new guide has been introduced to ensure the quality and effectiveness of these innovative learning models. Crafted by RTI International, a renowned nonprofit research institute, and funded by AccessLex Institute®, the guide titled “An Approach to Monitoring and Assessing Online/Hybrid J.D. Programs” seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating these modern educational offerings.
The guide presents a detailed methodology for program evaluation, encompassing both formative assessments, which focus on the improvement of the program during its development and implementation phases, and summative assessments, aimed at gauging the overall impact and outcomes post-completion. It provides law schools with practical tools, including rubrics for assessing course design and delivery, grounded in RTI International’s Blended Learning Toolkit. This approach not only aims to enhance the quality of distance learning programs but also to inform continuous improvements based on empirical data and insights.
Tiffane Cochran, Vice President of Research at AccessLex, emphasized the timeliness of this initiative, noting the growing prevalence of online and hybrid J.D. programs. “As we witness the graduation of the first cohorts from these programs and their subsequent participation in the bar exam, it’s crucial to understand the effectiveness of remote legal education,” Cochran stated. She expressed confidence that RTI’s expertise in program evaluation would offer valuable guidance to the field of legal education.
The development of the guide was prompted by AccessLex Institute’s commissioning of RTI to provide evaluation services to law schools experimenting with hybrid J.D. programs under ABA variances. This collaboration has led to the creation of a tailored assessment framework designed to support law schools in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the shift towards online and hybrid modalities.
Nicole Tate, Ph.D., a senior evaluator at RTI, highlighted the importance of adapting to the evolving educational environment. “The ability to critically assess and refine academic programs is essential for expanding student opportunities and ensuring success,” Tate remarked. She underscored RTI’s commitment to analyzing and improving educational policies, programs, and interventions through rigorous research and analysis.
This guide represents a pivotal step in addressing the need for standardized, evidence-based evaluation methods for online and hybrid legal education programs. By providing law schools with the resources to conduct thorough assessments, it aims to foster an environment of continuous improvement, ensuring that students receive high-quality education that prepares them effectively for legal practice. As legal education continues to evolve, initiatives like this play a critical role in shaping the future of the profession, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing legal landscape.
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