DE and the Course Outline of Record

How do you know what you are required to teach in your course? You learn this from the COR.

How do you know what you are required to do when teaching the course as an online course? You learn this in the DE Addendum to the COR.

What is the COR?

The course outline of record (COR) is central to the curricular processes in the California community colleges. The COR has evolved considerably from its origins as a list of topics covered in a course. Today, the course outline of record is a document with defined legal standing that plays a critical role in the curriculum of the California community colleges. The course outline has both internal and external influences that impact all aspects of its content, from outcomes to teaching methodology, which, by extension, impact program development and program evaluation.

All credit courses are required to have an official Course Outline of Record (COR) that meets the standards in Title 5, § 55002(a)(3). Current CORs must be maintained in the official college files (paper or electronic database) and made available to each instructor.

Review: Palomar COR Website

The Distance Education Addendum to the COR

Distance Education (DE) is regulated by Title 5, Chapter 6, Subchapter 3, Article 1 starting with section 55200. DE is defined in Title 5, § 55200, as instruction in which the teacher and student are separated by distance and interact through communication technology. This includes courses referred to as partially online, formerly referred to as “hybrid”, that combine traditional, face-to-face instruction and DE with either synchronous or asynchronous instructor-student interaction through communication technology.

55206. SEPARATE COURSE APPROVAL

(a) If any portion of the instruction in a new or existing course is to be provided through distance education, the course outline of record or an addendum to the official course outline of record shall address how course outcomes will be achieved in a distance education mode and how the portion of instruction delivered via distance education meets the requirement for regular and substantive interaction as specified in section 55204.
(b) The course design and all course materials must be accessible to every student, including students with disabilities. The distance education course outline of record or addendum shall be approved according to the district's adopted curriculum approval procedures.

note: Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) Section § 55204 - Instructor Contact (RSI)

Overview of the DE Addendum:

DE has different requirements than face-to-face courses. The DE Addendum is how you explain how the course will meet the DE requirements.
Purpose of DE Addendum:

Ensure departments understand the DE requirements as stated in AP 4105
Ensure students can meet the course outcomes in a DE modality
Ensure the course is designed to meet Title 5 requirements for Regular and Substantive Interaction
Ensure the course is accessible to all students.

It is important that every faculty member who teaches an online class has read and understands what their department has entered into the DE Addendum. Every class we teach must meet the DE requirements.