Beginning with the ASCD SmartBrief.
Debate over online schooling is under way in N.J.
A debate is under way over the quality and rigor of full-time online schools in New Jersey, where more such schools are on track to open or are being proposed. Supporters of the schools argue that they offer new educational opportunities to students who, because of illness, special needs or other reasons, may not succeed in a traditional school environment. Critics, however, contend that the cyberschools remain untested and may lack the benefits of face-to-face instruction. The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) (12/11)
How should teachers be prepared for online instruction?
Teachers of online courses share many of the same responsibilities as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, from creating engaging lessons to helping struggling students stay on track. However, they also face some unique challenges, including motivating students solely by phone or through e-mail. Some states require special training for online teachers, while others — including Arizona — recommend additional training but leave the specifics up to local schools and districts. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (12/14)
A new one, the ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief.
Australian school finds success in online learning
At Northern Beaches Christian School in Australia, many students who study online are outperforming their peers who study only in traditional classrooms. The school’s principal, Stephen Harris, said students who learn online typically are more engaged. While students with a desire to learn online may be more motivated, he said, “it’s also telling me that kids like the structure where they can see the entire course for the whole year”. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) (12 Dec.)
Also the SmartBrief on EdTech.
Arizona sees sharp growth in online learning, though concerns remain
The number of Arizona students participating in some form of online learning has risen sharply over the past six years, a newspaper analysis shows. Some say the growth is being fueled by the flexibility inherent in online learning, while others are concerned the growth is largely budget-driven. Meanwhile, the newspaper report also identified a number of concerns about online education in the state, from lower-than-average test scores and a lack of oversight to few requirements for teachers and a low retention rate among students. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (12/10)
Research: Online Algebra I benefits students without other access to the course
Students who took an online Algebra I course in eighth-grade performed better in high-school algebra and more likely were to take rigorous math classes later in high school than students who had access only to general eighth-grade math, a new study shows. Researchers studied the use of the virtual course in small rural schools in Maine and Vermont, in cases where students were ready for advanced math but did not have access to a formal face-to-face course. Education Week/Inside School Research blog (12/13)
Analysis raises questions about the business of online schools
More than half of students are performing below grade level in either reading or math at Agora Cyber Charter School, one of a series of virtual public schools supported by the publicly traded company, K12. A newspaper analysis highlights several questions about the benefits and shortcomings of these, as well as other full-time online schools that are run by for-profit companies supported by taxpayer dollars. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (12/12)
Chicago considers partnering with K12 on virtual schools: Officials with Chicago Public Schools are considering a partnership with the publicly traded K12 company to expand its portfolio of online education for students. The company is the country’s largest for-profit education-management group, but some of its schools have drawn recent attention for poor performance on standardized tests. However, Chicago’s Virtual Charter High School, which was the city’s first school opened by K12 in 2006, was among the few schools in the district last year to meet federal academic benchmarks under No Child Left Behind. Chicago Tribune (12/14)
Families share their experiences with virtual schools
The number of K-12 students enrolled in virtual schools has increased from about 50,000 in 2001 to 225,000 today, according to the nonprofit International Association for K-12 Online Learning. In this article, two families share their reasons for choosing virtual schools as well as their experiences, noting the benefits and challenges. The Wall Street Journal (12/15)
Questions to ask when evaluating online-learning options
The Washington Post/The Answer Sheet blog (12/15)
Digital Learning Day draws support, participation from 27 states so far
Education Week (12/15)
Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.
Application for Proposed Virtual Charter School Denied
Patch.com
By Noah Cohen Protesters of a proposed virtual charter school gather Thursday outside the Teaneck Armory, where Governor Chris Christie is holding a press …
Online schools are largely untested
NorthJersey.com
BY LESLIE BRODY A proposed virtual charter school based in Teaneck has led to a … At least 27 states had at least one full-time virtual school last year, …
Pendleton Schools Win Half Million Dollar Grant
WKRC TV Cincinnati
The project will enable the three schools to share a distance learning system that will allow teachers to share classes as one large virtual school and …
Profits and Questions at Online Charter Schools
BlueRidgeNow.com
Dozens of other Tennessee counties, however, lost state financing when some of their students elected to go to the virtual school. The online schools have enabled entrepreneurs like Michael R. Milken, whose company Knowledge Universe started K12 a …
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Investigation into Virtual School Prompts Concern
Education Week News (blog)
By Katie Ash on December 13, 2011 3:54 PM The New York Times today paints a bleak picture for teachers, students, and parents in online schools, particularly run by the online learning giant K12 Inc. A story in the paper highlights overall lower …
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Bay Haven withdraws virtual school applications
The News Herald
PANAMA CITY — Bay Haven Charter Academy officials withdrew their virtual school applications at the last minute Tuesday, which prevented School Board members from denying their applications and removed the charter school’s right to appeal. …
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Virtual schools are in session
Worcester Telegram
Florida opened one of the first online schools in 1997 and the Florida Virtual School is now the nation’s largest. California alone has 16 virtual schools. In 2006, Michigan became the first state to make completion of at least one online class a high …
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Arizona online school lobbyists aggressive
AZ Central.com
Until July, Mary Gifford, a senior vice president of K12 Inc. served since 2003 as a member of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, the entity that oversees charter schools, including Arizona Virtual School. Gene Glass, a professor at Colorado …
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Teachers, students get lots of use from iPods, IDL
Marion County Record
Kemble announced that some students enrolled in virtual school have asked to return to regular school, and some students enrolled in regular school want to switch to virtual school. She said a team of six staff members are handling each case as it …
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Public Virtual School Parents Respond to California Charter Schools …
MarketWatch (press release)
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Parents cry foul to flawed report which casts “scarlet letter” on individual schools California Parents for Public Virtual Education, a non-profit organization made up of volunteers whose …
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Two Families, Two Takes on Virtual Schooling
Wall Street Journal
Sarah Thomas, 7 years old, works on geometry while attending virtual school in her family’s Redmond, Wash., home. A social studies teacher in Vancouver, Wash., in a recorded video on the computer screen of 13-year-old Ruth Thomas. …
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Quest for a switched on school
The Guardian (blog)
This is what it’s all about, I thought and as I write this blog, a new post on the ONSchool blog was published – “Why not open a Virtual School?”, discussing the benefits versus a need to maintain physical relationships with students and all the social …
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Study of Miami-Dade’s Virtual Learning Lab Reveals Key Success Factors for …
PR Newswire (press release)
The report summarizes lessons learned from the pilot year (2010-2011) of the Virtual Learning Lab program, a collaborative effort between the Miami-Dade County public school district—one of the largest in the country—and the Florida Virtual School—a …
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How Classrooms Online Work
Wall Street Journal
Florida Virtual School became the first state-funded online school in 1996. There is no nationwide standardized curriculum for virtual schools, and core subjects and electives vary from state to state. “It’s streaming classes in real time, …
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Arizona online schools: Merits of online learning are unclear
Arizona Republic
For example, a review of academic performance from 2004 to 2006 at Florida Virtual School concluded online students had higher test scores than those in traditional schools, according to Florida TaxWatch, a non-profit watchdog group. …
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Coach Accused of Sex Crime Faces Dismissal
The Ledger
He said he wasn’t aware of any accusations of inappropriate conduct with students made against Demoreta. Demoreta is currently a geometry instructor at Florida Virtual School, according to the affidavit, as well as the youth pastor at the church.
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Virtual schools booming as states mull warnings
The Associated Press
States are taking halting steps to increase oversight, but regulation isn’t moving nearly as fast as the virtual school boom. The online school debate pits traditional education backers, often teachers’ unions, against lawmakers tempted by the promise …
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Public Virtual School Parents Respond to California Charter Schools …
Sacramento Bee
By California Parents for Public Virtual Education SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 15, 2011 — Parents cry foul to flawed report which casts “scarlet letter” on individual schools SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — California Parents …
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Public school enrollment expected to increase by 31504 students in 2012
MiamiHerald.com (blog)
Public school enrollment projections includes charter schools and Florida Virtual School, and both are expected to see increases next school year. Florida Virtual School is projected to have 3798 additional students, and high-performing charter schools …
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Students who want to get ahead can take online courses through Clear Access
Your Houston News
Clear Access, CCISD’s Virtual School, was established to enable students to take high school courses online, outside of their regular schedule, through a computer and internet connection. Courses have been developed with the same requirements as …
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Legislative panel that paved way for expansion of online schools fizzles …
The Republic
The Task Force on Virtual School Governance was supposed to recommend ways to improve the oversight of online schools. Its creation helped sway three Democrats to switch their votes, allowing the narrow passage of a contentious bill expanding …
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School Board Approves Staff Changes for Principals, Others at Waukesha Schools
Patch.com
… responsibility will be to recruit students for the 2012-13 school year. Currently, this task is handled by K12, the district’s partner in providing the virtual education, however next year the district will take over control of the virtual school.
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Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.
MEA President Urges Caution On Cyber School Legislation
Public News Service
The state Board of Education has passed a resolution opposing the cyber school legislation. The Board supports more cyber schools only if they are subject …
Michigan Education Association Fighting Cyber School Legislation
WSJM
The Michigan Education Association is fighting legislation that would increase the number of so called cyber schools that can open in the state. …
Bonnell files formal complaint vs. Wolf
The Review
According to Bonnell, Dr. Nick Trombetta, CEO of PA Cyber and Fred Miller, the online school’s public relations manager, provided nearly 72 percent of …
Montgomery Flex Receives Mixed Reactions At Hearing
Patch.com
“Mr. Sager may not want to call Montgomery Flex a cyber school, but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck – it’s a duck,” Edelman continued. …
Bonnell’s complaint to be reviewed
The Review
The Broadview Circle resident also a former school board member alleged in his … the majority of his campaign was funded by two PA Cyber School officials. …
Interesting articles today, Michael. I still find it so fascinating that the public question at hand is “quality of online schools,” as if there was a way to lump all online schools into one category and make generalized judgements about them. Imagine how silly it would seem if we changed the question up a bit, and asked, “Do face-to-face schools work?” or “Do charter schools work?” or “Do private schools work?” These types of globalized questions only serve to polarize people into camps (typically political) that don’t really serve the needs of education.
I’m wondering what ideas you might have about reframing the questions the public should be asking instead. For me, it’s always been a case of identifying a particular educational context, what resources are available, what are the needs, and what are potential solutions (hopefully research-based) that can be implemented and evaluated. How do you see it?
Comment by Lisa Dawley — December 17, 2011 @ 1:52 pm |
Lisa, I’ve been saying for years that we need to ask questions about what constitutes the effective design, delivery and support of K-12 online learning for specific kinds of students. I’m with Rick Ferdig on this front. Rick often says that we need to move past does K-12 online learning work, to look at what conditions or with what kinds of students does online learning work.
I think the fascination or focus with quality right now is do to the proliferation of K-12 online learning – particularly the for profit charters. I think Americans have an expectation or an acceptance of wasting public money on public institutions, but they have a real problem with wasting public money on private companies.
I think the other thing that is happening is that there is starting to be a counter narrative being told to the myth that has been portrayed on the American public by the neo-liberals and neo-conservatives. Basically, people are starting to question the value of trying to privatize public education that has been pushed by those advocating for charter and voucher schooling. Up until now, it seems that people have simply accepted the narrative that these things are good, that they are effective, and that we need to be moving in that direction.
Comment by mkbnl — December 17, 2011 @ 2:01 pm |