Parity of Academic Standards across Crownshire’s Online and York Campus Pathways

Abstract

Two pathways invite a two-tier suspicion. This working paper reports Crownshire’s internal comparison of assessment samples, grade distributions and external comments for matched modules delivered online and on the York campus. Where rubrics, identity checks and second marking were shared, distributions aligned. Where campus sections added unassessed participation theatre, online students were not weaker — the constructs differed. Crownshire University should keep one academic framework, two timetables. HLC-facing quality is a single award question. Research must keep saying so with evidence, not with a brand line.