The development and extension of open learning systems in British institutions of further and higher education has given rise to a need for changes in the methods of recording student progress. Open learning systems' provision of a wide flexibility of pace so that students can extend or compress their periods of study as compared with traditional courses creates a number of accounting difficulties: (1) there is no easy measure comparable to the "student hour," which is used as the output measurement for conventional courses; (2) the nature of the contact between student and teacher does not easily align with the class contact as recognized in normal service agreements; and (3) when emphasis is placed on a student's ability to proceed at his/her own pace, it is more difficult to maintain a check on withdrawals. Primary responsibility for maintaining a check on progress rests with the course tutor, who maintains student record cards, makes reports showing which students are actively participating in the course, and tries to make contact with students who are behind in their work. Some colleges have instituted a formal inquiry process in which a letter is sent to a student substantially behind in work asking for notification of his/her intent to continue. Student counts, conducted each term, help in monitoring course operation, and establishing notional student hours, full-time student equivalents, and resource requirements. Sample record-keeping forms are included. (HB)