3-ACUE Sole Source Statement.pdf

745 Fifth Ave #500 New York, NY 10151

July 10, 2025

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter confirms that ACUE certifications, Effective (Online) Teaching Practices and associated pathway courses and related services, (collectively, the “ACUE Program”) are sole source offerings on the basis of being precluded from competition due to the absence of substantially similar products. The ACUE Program, is sold and distributed exclusively by ACUE.

Competition is precluded by unique design features and proven impact offered only by ACUE. ACUE’s learning model guides course-takers through a process that has been proven by independently validated research to improve faculty mindset and student outcomes.

While there are certainly many provides of professional development services, most offer workshops or self-paced resources. ACUE’s certification offerings stand uniquely apart, as further described below:

1. Standards-based: Offerings are aligned to ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework, the only nationally accepted set of college teaching standards in broad adoption by over 500 colleges and universities; it is based on hundreds of scholarly citations and was refined in close consultation with dozens of experts nationwide.

2. American Council on Education’s Expert Review and Endorsement: In 2016, ACE convened a blue-ribbon panel which spent months reviewing and helping to refine the Effective Practice Framework and course modules. This quality assurance process was a critical part of ACE’s exclusive endorsement. To our knowledge, no other offering has vetted with such scrutiny.

3. Three-Credits, Graduate Level: in 2018, the ACE Credit Equivalency determined that ACUE’s certification offerings equate to three credits of graduate study. This rigorous review, which to our knowledge no other provider has earned, has provided invaluable guidance to institutions seeking to recognize and award credit to professors who have earned their certification; the process also confirmed that the caliber of ACUE’s offerings are appropriate for professors, most of whom have earned PhDs or completed other advanced degrees

4. “Quality Matters” Endorsed: In 2017, ACUE’s online learning design earned a coveted certification from Quality Matters, with exemplary scores across all evaluation criteria. To our knowledge, no other provider of services designed to strengthen college teaching have met their rigorous standards.

5. Proven Impact: For over a decade, ACUE has maintained a rigorous research agenda to rigorously measure impact on faculty and students. Research is often conducted in partnership with independent third-party offices of institutional research or research firms. This research uniquely connects the dots from faculty training, to improved instruction, to stronger student outcomes. Notably, a 2022 meta-analysis completed by Northwestern University of 68 unique ACUE impact effects found a predictable and positive effect on student learning and completion.

To our knowledge, no other provider has been as rigorous, or public, about proving impact.

https://acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ACUE_Bibliography_v3fnoMarks.pdf https://www.acenet.edu/Research-Insights/Pages/Student-Support/Contributors-to-ACEs-Teaching-and-Learning-Scholarship.aspx https://www.acenet.edu/Research-Insights/Pages/Student-Support/Contributors-to-ACEs-Teaching-and-Learning-Scholarship.aspx https://acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ACE-CREDIT-PR.pdf https://acue.org/blog/acue-learning-design-earns-quality-matters-certification/ https://acue.org/blog/acue-learning-design-earns-quality-matters-certification/ https://acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ACUE-Meta-Analysis-Brief-1.pdf

In summary, ACUE stands apart and alone with regards to linking effective teaching with measurable student success in higher education. If additional information is required, please contact ACUE’s Chief Financial Officer via email at dsaidenberg@acue.org.

Best regards, Doug Saidenberg Chief Financial Officer, ACUE mailto:dsaidenberg@acue.org