Finally, she observed that coordinated systems offer the potential for institutional collaboration and greater equity of resources among institutions. Comprehensive systems utilize a single entity to deliver distance education systemwide. The mission of comprehensive systems is to expand educational opportunities to the broadest potential audience in the most cost-effective manner. One entity is assigned responsibility for statewide planning, coordination and integration of programs. The state facilitates shared ownership and control of technology.
Collaboration is mandated to maximize resources.
Maine, Arizona, and British Columbia's Open Learning Agency are examples of comprehensive systems. Zeller argued that the single entity approach to distance education is often the most cost-effective way to serve the broadest range of student populations. Attachment 15 presents the four models graphed according to the array of programs they offer and the degree of interinstitutional planning and coordination they require. The most recent study to look at state-level postsecondary distance education systems compared Maine, Minnesota and Colorado. She found evidence to support Zeller's framework of four models.