A Statement on the Philosophy, Development, and Adoption of the Continuing Education Unit.

The CEU (continuing education unit) appears to be fulfilling a long term need of the individual learner, the college and university, the professional society, the licensing board, the accrediting organization, the employer, and many other groups. It was established by a national task force from the National University Extension Association following a national planning conference and may be used in a variety of ways: measurement, recording, and verification of adult participation in programs, among others. Administrative concerns regarding the CEU focus on the number of units to be granted, the educational merit of the program, the evaluation of the participant's performance in the program, and the maintenance of relevant records. There are many possible applications of the CEU, and some areas in which its application is not appropriate. Discrimination in its use must be employed. Implementation of the CEU was facilitated by its adoption by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in December 1971. The association has developed guidelines for use and implementation of the CEU for institutional membership. Large potential users of the CEU are professional societies and associations, business, industry, labor, and government. (AG)