By Larry A. Outlaw, Director of Education and Licensing

The focus of the 23rd annual North Carolina Real Estate Commission-sponsored Real Estate Educators Conference in Raleigh March 26-27 was on the many education program changes begun in 2000. Real estate instructors, administrators and exhibitors - totaling 148 this year - regularly attend the conference for updating, progress reports and teaching tips.

After welcoming participants to the two-day event, Larry Outlaw, Director of Education and Licensing, provided a report on implementation of the pre-licensing education program changes begun last fall. He also briefed instructors on common deficiencies in teaching skills that the Commission staff finds during its reviews of instructor videotapes.

Ginger L. Schultz-Lamitie, Licensing and Education Officer, discussed the recently implemented and revised pre-licensing instructor approval requirements and procedures, the New Instructor Seminar now required of all new pre-licensing instructors and various related issues.

Anita Burt, Examination and Education Officer, and Tadas Dabsys of Psychological Services, Inc., which administers the license examination by computer for the Commission, reported on the license examination program.

A program on "Teaching the New Broker Prelicensing Course," featured a course syllabus review and discussion on course completion standards by Outlaw. Instructors Anne Rasheed, Tom Mangum and Gary Taylor then made presentations on how to effectively teach selected major topics.

Pam Rorie, Continuing Education Officer, opened the second day with an update on the continuing education program. She discussed electronic reporting of course completion, administrative problems and the Commission's newly-developed "Distance Education Guidelines for Continuing Education Elective Courses."

Patricia Sullivan, Legal Education Officer, reviewed the agency agreements and disclosure rules changes effective July 1, 2001.