A number of AFT local unions have already begun to negotiate quality standards for distance learning into their contracts with colleges and universities. Overseeing the standards is a faculty-led committee that regularly reviews the courses, the way they are evaluated, and the way students are assessed. Additionally, faculty members receive additional compensation for developing online courses. Student enrollment limits are contractually capped and are comparable to an on campus course. In Illinois, AFT locals at Belleville Area College and Western Illinois University have both negotiated language dealing with materials used in distance learning courses, class size and use of faculty.
Technical support is important as well.
Some courses just don't work very well in an online environment, take high school chemistry as an example. K12 claims they can do it with animated beakers and Bunsen burners. I'm not sure that's the same as mixing the chemicals, lighting the burner, smelling the sulfur and watching the chemical reaction. I have to be convinced. A 1996 report on how changing technology will affect faculty unions and contract negotiations with colleges and universities.