Business Continuity Policy

1. Purpose

This policy describes how American Professional School (APS) maintains or restores continuity of learning, competency demonstration, records, and learner communications following a significant disruption. It supports APS’s commitment to reliable delivery of its online competency-based education programs.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all APS learning activities, competency demonstrations, credential records, and learner communications delivered through online and asynchronous means. It covers disruptions affecting the learning platform, data systems, communications channels, or key personnel.

3. Principles

  • Priority is given to protecting learner access to materials and the ability to submit competency evidence.
  • Records required for credential verification and quality assurance are protected through regular backups and secure storage.
  • Learners are informed of significant disruptions and expected recovery timelines through established communication channels.
  • Recovery actions are proportionate to the scale of the disruption and the needs of active learners.

4. Continuity of Learning and Assessment

APS programs are delivered online and asynchronously. In the event of a platform or system disruption:

  • Learning materials are maintained in a form that permits continued access or rapid restoration from backups.
  • Learners who are unable to access materials or submit evidence during a disruption will be given a reasonable extension or alternative submission method once service is restored.
  • Competency demonstration reviews in progress will resume as soon as systems and records are available; no learner will be disadvantaged solely because of a disruption.
  • The Academic Quality Lead is responsible for confirming that academic processes (demonstration criteria, review, and feedback) resume in a manner that preserves integrity and fairness.

5. Records and Data Recovery

APS maintains electronic records of enrollment, competency evidence, demonstration decisions, and issued credentials in accordance with the Record-Keeping and Retention Policy. Continuity measures include:

  • Regular automated backups of critical learner and credential records.
  • Secure storage of backups with access limited to authorised personnel.
  • Restoration of records from the most recent viable backup in the event of data loss or system failure, followed by verification of completeness for active learners and issued credentials.

6. Learner Communications

During a significant disruption APS will:

  • Notify affected learners as soon as practicable using the primary email address on file and, where available, platform notifications.
  • Provide clear information on the nature of the disruption, expected impact on access or submissions, and the anticipated timeline for recovery.
  • Direct learners to the established support channel (contact@americanprofessionalschool.org) for individual questions during the recovery period.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

  • Operations Manager: Overall responsibility for activating this policy, coordinating recovery of systems and records, and approving learner communications.
  • Academic Quality Lead: Ensures academic processes (content access, competency demonstration, and review integrity) are restored fairly and without compromise to standards.
  • All staff and contractors: Follow directions issued under this policy and report any issues that affect continuity of learning or records.

8. Review of This Policy

This policy is reviewed at least annually by the Operations Manager, with input from the Academic Quality Lead, to confirm it remains practical for APS’s online delivery model. Updates are version-controlled and communicated to relevant staff.