Deadline Approaching: Submit your nominations for the 2024 QM Awards

The second of two items from the folks at QM.

Submit Your Nomination This Week

Don’t miss out — submit your nomination for the 2024 QM Awards by May 18! This is your chance to advocate for wide-scale professional acknowledgement for yourself, a colleague or an institution you admire. QM Award winners gain much-deserved recognition and attention for their commitment to quality, bringing more credibility to the investment they’ve made in service of their learners. Award winners also act as an inspiration for other educators, helping them to see why quality assurance work is so important and motivating them to take action. “Receiving a QM Award was more than just an honor. The award had a lasting impact on my career by demonstrating to my peers, my institution and the world that I am committed to building quality for learners. It also validated my work in achieving equity, inclusion, and a caring attitude for our faculty through continuous improvement.” — Dr. Richard Espinosa, R.Ph., Pharm. D., QM Award Recipient Submit your QM Award nomination in any of four categories: Outstanding Impact by an Individual in Higher Education Outstanding Impact by a U.S. Higher Education Organization Outstanding Impact by a Non-U.S. Higher Education Organization Outstanding Impact by a K–12 Individual or Organization Ready to help shine a spotlight on someone making a difference for students? Get started now: Review awards submission criteria Download and complete the nomination form Upload your submission by Saturday, May 18 Contact us if you need help with your submission. Reward Impactful Leadership  Submissions are also open for the Ron Legon Leadership Award for Quality Digital Education. Presented by QM and MarylandOnline (MOL), this special honor is reserved for those who have changed the online education quality assurance paradigm for the betterment of students and educators. For more information and submission requirements, view the award criteria. Winners will be recognized at the 2024 QM Connect Conference in Rosemont, IL — November 4-6.

Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It provides a scalable quality assurance system for online and blended learning used within and across organizations. When you see QM Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course Design Standards or QM Program Review Criteria in a rigorous review process.

View this email in your browser  |  Forward to a friend Copyright © 2024 Quality Matters, All rights reserved. Our email marketing is permission-based. If you received a mailing from us, our records indicate that (a) you have expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future (“opt-in”), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings. Our mailing address is: Quality Matters 1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway Suite 300 Annapolis, MD 21401

Get the Best Price on Your QM Connect Registration

The first of two items from the folks at QM.

Early bird registration for the 2024 QM Connect Conference is Now Open Get ready for your biggest annual opportunity for professional growth — QM Connect is back with another fantastic opportunity for learning, community and fun. You won’t want to miss out this year! Register now to get the best price for attending QM’s biggest conference event of the year. With three days of face-to-face learning (plus a full day of pre-conference workshops), QM Connect is the perfect place to strengthen your work with new ideas, resources and skills from peers and experts. Learn from the experiences and innovations of QM members, get inspired by panels and keynotes with leaders in the field, and forge connections with fellow educators. “The sessions and the interaction with like-minded colleagues were amazing. Such robust discourse among peers elevated the experience.” — Julian King, University of the District of Columbia Early registration gives you the chance to secure your spot in dozens of sessions on the most relevant topics for today’s online learning landscape. This year’s theme is Empowering Learners, Enabling Potential, and  features sessions all about: Advancing Learner Success Quality Assurance Implementation Approaches to Equity Learner Journeys Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Get the best rate for attending QM Connect 2024 — register for the conference today.  Register Now Join us for pre-conference workshops on Nov. 3 by selecting them during the registration process! Nov. 4-6 Pre-conference workshops: Nov. 3 Loews Chicago O’Hare Rosemont, IL Early bird pricing Expires Aug. 18 Full-Conference – Members: $795 Full Conference – Non-members: $895 Single Day – Member $400 Single Day – Non Member $450 Group discount ($75/person) for groups of five or more (full conference registration only) Register Now Hotel space is limited, so book now!  Rooms are $189 (plus tax) per night. Use our reservation link to get this special conference rate.

View this email in your browser Copyright © 2024 Quality Matters, All rights reserved. Our email marketing is permission-based. If you received a mailing from us, our records indicate that (a) you have expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future (“opt-in”), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings. Our mailing address is: Quality Matters 1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway Suite 300 Annapolis, MD 21401

Virtual Schooling in the News

Beginning with the Education Dive

How can schools prepare for Title II digital accessibility requirements?

A new U.S. Department of Justice rule aims to ensure that state and local government web content and mobile apps are accessible for people with disabilities.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY — FlexPoint

Customizable online education and more

Whether you’re looking for individual courses, teacher shortage solutions or a comprehensive online learning program, FlexPoint® is here for you. Learn more.

Next the eSchool and eCampus News.

Friday 5: Blended learning Blended learning caters to diverse learning styles and enhancing student outcomes effectively. READ MORE>

Moving on to the District Administration newsletters.

TRENDING ON DA

Searching for edtech? Look to these globally ranked products TIME Magazine recently published its list of the “World’s Top EdTech Companies 2024.” Some familiar faces made the top 15. Read more >>

Sponsored Content

Don’t let the learning stop this summer. Plan now Sponsored by Pearson Virtual Schools Pearson’s summer school programs aid student success. Tailored for all: struggling elementary/middle schoolers, high schoolers needing core/elective/credit recovery, at-risk students, Summer Smarts for young learners and NCAA-eligible courses. Learn more >>

Also, the various newsletters from ASCD.

(Noah Seelam/AFP via Getty Images)

New rule mandates digital accessibility for schools To ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, federal regulations now require public schools and universities to audit their digital content, including websites and mobile apps, and make necessary adjustments for compliance. With deadlines looming, institutions are urged to prioritize accessibility efforts and collaborate to meet the new standards. Full Story: K-12 Dive (5/6)

Why ESSER funds should be invested in digital learning
Remaining Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III funds would be best used to enhance digital learning, according to Louis Algaze, CEO of FlexPoint Education Cloud and Florida Virtual School, who cites successes like higher Advanced Placement scores and increased graduation rates for the approach. In this article, Algaze outlines three strategies: integrating digital courses, providing professional development and hiring online teachers.

Full Story: District Administration (5/2)

Funding falls for education technology venture

Global education technology venture funding dipped to $580 million in the first quarter of 2024, marking a stark contrast from the $20.8 billion peak in 2021. Despite these challenges, analysts say they anticipate potential investment resurgence as AI adoption grows.

Full Story: K-12 Dive (5/3)

Students in Sierra Leone engage in hybrid learning

Educators at the American International School of Freetown in Sierra Leone are providing onsite support to 11 high-school students who are participating in an online American diploma programme, providing access to an international education that would not otherwise be accessible, writes Brian Roach, the school’s director. The online courses have engaged students in meaningful, authentic learning, ensuring student success through both virtual and in-person contact, Roach writes.

Full Story: eSchool News (4/29)

NYC considers e-learning to cut class sizes

The New York City Education Department is suggesting virtual learning as an option to reduce class sizes under a new state mandate while also exploring other strategies like room repurposing and staggered schedules. The plan, subject to union approval, aims to comply with state requirements by 2028, with 40% of classrooms to meet caps by this September.

Full Story: Chalkbeat/New York (5/9)

Next, the Google News alert for virtual school.

Community worries for Crossroads Academy students going virtual – herald-dispatch.com

herald-dispatch.com

He said the idea was brought up when he noticed two or three requests by parents for their students to be placed in virtual school instead of at …

Empowering Youth Sports with Three New Mini-Pitches in 2024 – Ottumwa Community School District

Ottumwa Community School District

Virtual School. Ottumwa Online. Close. Ottumwa Community School District. Ottumwa Community School District. Calendar · Staff Directory · Staff · Live …

Funeral for Bryceville teen killed in crash to be held Saturday – WOKV

WOKV

Sydney showed livestock in the Nassau County 4H program and was attending Nassau Virtual School. She was set to graduate this year. She will …

High School Senior Killed After Car Slams Into Texas Home During Virtual School: ‘It’s Not Fair’

Yahoo News UK

High School Senior Killed After Car Slams Into Texas Home During Virtual School: ‘It’s Not Fair’. Rachel DeSantis. 18 December 2020 2-min read.

For $250,000, You Too Can Graduate from an America-Hating University – The National Herald

The National Herald

And we all know how online learning that’s not well-conceptualized ahead of time goes: just ask anyone who logged on to makeshift virtual school in …

BCPS Announces Graduation Schedule for the Class of 2024 – Broward Schools

Broward Schools

Virtual School · Partners In Education · School Forms · Faculty & Staff · Administration · School Information · Registration · School Rules · District …

Austin Online Academy receives statewide innovation honor – KIMT

KIMT

Austin Online Academy is a virtual school option open to all MN students grades 9-12. “I am incredibly proud that Austin Online Academy has been …

High school graduation ceremonies begin Thursday | News | clevelandbanner.com

Cleveland Daily Banner

Bradley County Virtual School — 5 p.m. Friday, May 10, at the PIE Innovation Center. • Cleveland High School — 6 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Raider …

E-learning day set for Marlboro County School District after dam fails – WPDE

WPDE

Some students in Marlboro County will have an eLearning day on Tuesday, after the dam at Lake Paul Wallace failed on Monday.

Leading Teletherapy Provider Recognizes Six School Districts for Exemplary Service to …

Yahoo Finance

… virtual school communities … The 2023-2024 Partner of the Year winners are from urban, suburban, rural, and virtual school communities.

Arts Award achievement for Darlington Virtual School pupils

Darlington BC – News Item

… Virtual School, which supports care-experienced children and young people, for four years now, and this is the latest of our creative activities …

Middle Tennessee high school graduation: What to know before you go – The Tennessean

The Tennessean

They only provided each date/time. Robertson County Phoenix Academy (including the Virtual School and Adult High School): 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 15 …

Westfield School Committee to discuss budget plans for upcoming school year

Western Mass News

One of those cuts: …

Her Majesty Queen Camilla opens 50th Coronation primary school library in London

National Literacy Trust

Virtual School Library. News and information. News and information. Latest news. 07 May 2024. Her Majesty Queen Camilla opens 50th Coronation primary …

Ringling College launches AI undergraduate certificate program – Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Marley Bean (Booker High) and Simon Odruno (Florida Virtual School and Suncoast Technical College) will attend Ringling College this fall, while …

Cleaver named principal of Nyssa High School – Malheur Enterprise

Malheur Enterprise

Meanwhile, Bret Jackman, the current high school principal, will become administrator of the school district’s virtual school, MyTech High. He …

High school graduations for Lee schools set for May 16-21 – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA

– Lee Virtual School at 7 p.m. in the South Fort Myers High School auditorium. MAY 19. – North Fort Myers High School at 10 a.m. at Alico Arena.

Deputy superintendent latest in string of Broward school departures – Sun Sentinel

Sun Sentinel

Shortly after Runcie announced his resignation in the spring of 2021, Marte left to accept a job as chief financial officer for Florida Virtual School …

Oklahoma bill allows virtual school students to take tests at home – KSWO

KSWO

Students who attend a  …

Salish Rugby – Surrey Schools

Surrey Schools

Virtual School Tour for New Students. Translate. Afrikaans; Albania; Amharic; Arabic; Armenian; Azerbaijani; Basque; Belarusian; Bengali; Bosnian …

Summer school opportunities available | Education | wickenburgsun.com

The Wickenburg Sun

But, because it is virtual school, the district will not provide transportation to and from the lab for students. Information students need to …

Professors reflect on adventures of motherhood, teaching – Purdue University News

Purdue University

Becoming more patient and seeing how people learn differently, especially as she serves as her children’s learning coach for virtual school. She …

Bradley County Virtual School celebrates graduation Friday | Education | clevelandbanner.com

Cleveland Daily Banner

Bradley County Virtual School will host its graduation ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday, May 10, in the Ocoee Middle School gymnasium.

DoDEA Middle School Prodigy Sweeps High School Language Contest – DVIDS

DVIDS

Hill’s journey in Japanese began just this school year through the DoDEA Virtual School, a testament to her quick learning and passion for the …

Westfield School Committee thanks mayor, administration before passing budget

MassLive.com

… Virtual School. “We figured out how to have a Virtual School without some of the administrative costs, which were sizable,” Sullivan said. When …

Graduation 2024: Here’s when Knoxville and East Tennessee high school seniors get diplomas

Yahoo

Knox County Virtual School, noon, Central Auditorium. L&N STEM Academy, 6 p.m., Central Field. Paul Kelley Volunteer Academy, 8 p.m., Central Field …

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs education bills that include school choice expansion

The Lion

The MOScholars program was originally established in 2021, and it would assist families in paying for a private school or virtual school, as well …

St. Croix Central School District Board of Education Agenda for Regular … – The Baldwin Bulletin

The Baldwin Bulletin

b.Virtual School Advertisement Report – Superintendent Tim Widiker. 13.The Key Work of Our School Board. a.Student, Staff, and Community Recognition.

Brockton releases Community Schools summer camp catalog after delay – Enterprise News

Enterprise News

… virtual school — only school some have known. Transportation funding request postponed. Next week the School Committee will discuss and vote on an …

Virtual Schools Market Report: Trends, Challenges, and Future Projections by 2033 – openPR.com

openPR.com

Florida Virtual School Acklam Grange Alaska Virtual School Basehor-Linwood Virtual School Mosaica Education K12 Inc. Abbotsford Virtual School

The Story Behind TIME’s Campus Protests Cover

AOL.com

During oral arguments, justices seemed skeptical of the claims of attorneys for the Statewide Virtual School Charter School that what would be the …

Van Buren County 3rd graders gain weather insights from one of KTVO’s own

KTVO

Storm Team 3 Meteorologist Matt Gunn held a virtual school visit with third graders from Van Buren County Community School District.

District court judge declines to take immediate action in St. Isidore of Seville case – The Oklahoman

The Oklahoman

… Virtual School Charter School that what would be the nation’s first Catholic virtual charter school would actually be a private entity, and not a …

PWCS Fire Cadets Signing Day – YouTube

YouTube

PWCS Fire Cadets Signing Day · 2024 Palm Beach Virtual School Graduation · 2 P.M. PLNU Commencement – Undergraduate Studies, Spring 2024.

High School Graduations Set Across Baldwin County – OBA News

OBA News

Baldwin County Virtual School- 1:00pm; at Foley Event Center (OWA), 1001 E Pride Blvd, Foley, AL 36535; Orange Beach City Schools Baccalaureate …

SSUSD announces selection of Marina Amador as next James Monroe principal | News

The Ridgecrest Daily Independent

Prior to that she assisted in opening a virtual school from initial conception to fully operational in the Corona Norco Unified School District. As an …

Bright futures ahead! Graduation ceremonies this month for 10 Bay County high schools

Panama City News Herald

Bay Virtual School: 5 p.m. on May 16 at Gretchen Nelson Scott Fine Arts Center, 501 Mosley Drive in Lynn Haven. Margaret K. Lewis School: 10 a.m. …

Pelham BOE renews employment contract with Superintendent Ledbetter

Shelby County Reporter

Ledbetter further spoke on how Bogert worked to help create Pelham’s virtual school program, which offers unique and individualized schooling for …

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

Girl, 12, dies weighing just 50 pounds after being subjected to ‘evil, ‘torment’ – ABC Chicago

ABC Chicago

… cyber school in December. Videos from both the suspects’ phones and in-home camera system showed Malinda had been ankle-cuffed to furniture and …

Father, girlfriend charged with death of his 12-year-old daughter in Chester County, DA says

CBS News

… cyber school. Malinda appeared to have “incredibly limited access to the outside world from the moment she was pulled from school,” de Barrena …

Father, girlfriend arrested for death of 12-year-old in Chester Co. – NBC10 Philadelphia

NBC10 Philadelphia

“Police slowly learned that Malinda had been pulled out of middle school in late November and early December and shifted to an online cyber school,” …

Pa. Couple Shackled 12-Year-Old Daughter to Furniture and Denied Her Food. She Died …

Yahoo News Canada

Authorities say an investigation found that Malinda had been pulled out of school in late 2023 and “shifted to a home cyber school.” After …

Girl, 12, dies weighing just 50 pounds; DA says she was subjected to ‘evil’ and ‘torment’

KAKE

… cyber school in December. Malinda was previously part of the Coatesville Area School District at North Brandywine Middle School, according to …

Pa. father, girlfriend allegedly shackled 12-year-old to furniture and starved her to death

True Crime Daily

… cyber school.” Investigators obtained cell phone evidence from Rendell Hoagland and his girlfriend, Cindy Warren, and saw that Warren erased many …

Chester County couple accused of child abuse leading to death | PHL17.com

PHL17.com

She died at the hospital. The DA’s office said she was pulled out of public school in late November and shifted to home cyber school in early December …

Pa. couple starved, tortured, killed 12-year-old girl: police – PennLive.com

PennLive.com

She had since been attending a cyber school. “This district is devastated,” Dr. Catherine Van Vooren, superintendent of the Coatesville Area …

Father, girlfriend allegedly tortured 12-year-old Chester County girl for months before she died

PhillyVoice

The girl had been pulled out of school in November and was enrolled in a home cyber school, investigators said. When police reviewed Hoagland and …

Chester County couple charged in death of 12-year-old girl – WGAL

WGAL

An investigation determined Malinda has been pulled out of school late last year and shifted to a home cyber school. Videos stored on the …

Two charged in ‘horrific case of child abuse’ after Pennsylvania 12-year-old dies – ABC27

ABC27

… cyber school, the DA says. When investigators looked through the duo’s cell phones, they saw Warren deleted messages between her and Rendell along …

West Caln Township, Pennsylvania’s Rendell Hoagland, Cindy Warren arrested

CONAN Daily

In December 2023, she was shifted to an online cyber school. On May 4, 2024, Rendell called 911. He reported that Malinda was unconscious and …

Rep. BeGole: Budget plan ignores bipartisan priorities, wastes taxpayer dollars – Mi House Repubs

Michigan House Republicans

Funding discrepancies for schools: Discrepancies in the School Aid budget disadvantage cyber school students, who receive lower per-pupil funding …

Guy Ciarrocchi: Parents and children versus politicians and teachers unions

Broad + Liberty

These parents may want to try a cyber school this fall — another avenue to find safety and success. Now, imagine being told that the cyber school …

Pa. father, girlfriend allegedly shackled 12-year-old to furniture and starved her to death

The Paradise News

… cyber school.” Investigators obtained cell phone evidence from Rendell Hoagland and his girlfriend, Cindy Warren, and saw that Warren erased many …

.

Tomorrow’s News Today: Speak Up Summer Planning Series

An item from the folks behind the Speak Up survey.

View this email in your browser

May 8, 2024

preparing students of today to be innovators, leaders, and engaged citizens of tomorrow

Listening to the perspectives and needs of educators fosters a supportive and effective learning environment. Let’s make Teacher Appreciation Week an opportunity to listen to the voices of teachers. This is just one of the ways that we strive to make the Speak Up Survey an invaluable tool for school and district leaders. (Keep reading for our list of 7 Ways to Leverage Your Educators’ Data)

are you an educator? We would love to include your voice in our national story!

By participating in Speak Up, you contribute to a nationwide conversation on the challenges and opportunities facing educators today. Your feedback helps policymakers, administrators, and educational leaders understand the needs of teachers like you, enabling them to make informed decisions that benefit students and educators alike. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to improving education! Click here to preview the Educator Survey Please know that all your responses are secure and kept confidential.

take the survey!

are you a school or district leader?

Take just 2 minutes to set up your own Teacher Speak Up efforts, as we have simplified sharing Speak Up with your educators at the district level: Share the Speak Up Educator Survey link with your teachers: https://projecttomorrow.questionpro.com/SUEducator Have some fun with it and designate a Teacher Speak Up Day for your district! Bonus: use these promotional resources to share your Teacher Speak Up efforts with your educators: Promoting the Educator Speak Up Survey Let us know who to send the data to and begin using your district-level data to kickoff your summer planning efforts! If you would like school-level data, please contact us to receive customized survey links.

how to use your educator Speak Up data at the end of the school year

check out our blog post for details and question alignment

partner spotlight

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, our partner spotlight goes to the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), a member-based organization devoted to advancing technology in education. For Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, educators worldwide can become TCEA members for absolutely FREE!  So, what do you get when you sign up? An Online Community that offers answers, idea exchanges, and support 30-minute weekly Lunch and Learns on the latest tools, trends, research, and strategies A Resource Library with three years of recorded learning on a variety of topics A forever-free TCEA membership Learn more about becoming a TCEA member for FREE this week

Thank you from the Project Tomorrow team! Julie, Michelle, Ian, Sam, Irene, & David

Copyright (C) 2024 Project Tomorrow. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in through interaction on our website or at an event. Our mailing address is: Project Tomorrow 3943 Irvine Blvd # 416 Irvine, CA 92602-2400

What’s in a Name? Unraveling the Nuances of K-12 Hybrid Learning

An item from the folks at the Digital Learning Collaborative.

By Kim Loomis, K-12 Educational Strategist at i3DigitalPD In the evolving landscape of K-12 education, the terminology we use to describe innovative learning models is more than mere semantics; it shapes perceptions, expectations, and outcomes. At the recent Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC), a recurring theme emerged: a palpable confusion surrounding the term “hybrid learning,” particularly when contrasted with “blended learning.” This distinction is not just academic—it’s fundamental to understanding the future of educational practices. A visit to schools in the Chicago area further illuminated the diverse interpretations and implementations of these models, sparking a vital discussion. Is it time to reconsider our vocabulary? Perhaps “flexible” learning is a more apt descriptor for the education model combining offsite online learning with onsite, teacher-led instruction. Blended Learning: Traditional School Day To dissect the distinction, let’s first clarify what we mean by “blended learning.” This approach integrates online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with traditional place-based classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student in the school building every day of the week. Blended learning is a systematic integration of digital and physical learning environments to enhance educational outcomes in the traditional school day and building. Blended learning is a pedagogy that traditional schools use to infuse digital learning within the traditional school system. The funding and accountability perspective maintains the same since blended pedagogy is adopted within the traditional school day (e.g. seat time) and setting. Hybrid Learning: Mixed Onsite and Offsite Learning Hybrid learning, as it’s commonly misunderstood, is often used interchangeably with blended learning. However, the nuances that distinguish it are significant. True hybrid learning models offer a more flexible approach that combines online and in-person education. Hybrid distinguishes itself by allowing students to alternate between attending classes on-site and working online remotely, such that students can earn credits and the school maintains funding while students “work from home.” Hybrid learning provides a structure that can adapt to various schedules of onsite attendance, plus one or more days of “working from home.” Some states allow hybrid learning with relatively limited impacts on funding and accountability; other states prohibit hybrid learning either explicitly or by reducing funding. In other states, this mixed onsite and offsite learning (reducing physical seat time), may require legislative variances and result in reduced funding. The confusion is even more murky when a school adopts some hybrid classes into their schedule, versus adopting a hybrid program school-wide. Hybrid schools “intentionally” utilize online content for remote learning time allowing teachers to complement digital learning with higher-order projects, hands-on learning experiences, and quality peer-to-peer interactions in the traditional classroom.

Source: Digital Learning Collaborative: 2022 Snapshot As pointed out in the Reflections from DLAC (March 21, 2024) some independent study programs may fit our definition of hybrid schools—but few would call themselves hybrid schools. They deliver online, onsite, and hybrid courses, including dual credit, but the varied modalities aren’t front of mind for them. The Case for “Flexible” Learning During a site visit to the Chicago area, schools offered three types of classes: traditional, blended, and online. I was confused, in today’s technological world all traditional classrooms should be blended – right? It became evident that the Chicago area classes labeled as “blended” were, in fact, embracing hybrid learning principles. The “blended” classes, much like a college campus, met in person only two days a week, relying on online instruction to complement the physical classroom time. This observation begs the question: Are we mislabeling our K-12 educational models, thereby clouding understanding and implementation? Referring to a mixed model of traditional class days plus remote online learning days as “flexible” learning might offer a clearer, more accurate description. It highlights the adaptability of the varied schedule of learner needs and the seamless integration of online and onsite learning. This term can encompass the essence of what these innovative schools are achieving: an educational approach that fluidly combines the strengths of both traditional and digital realms to cater to the diverse needs of today’s students. Moving Forward: Clarity and Flexibility As educators, policymakers, and stakeholders continue to navigate the complexities of modernizing education, our terminology must evolve to accurately reflect the innovations at hand. The distinction between blended and hybrid—or, perhaps more aptly, flexible or mixed schedule—learning is not merely semantic. It represents a deeper understanding of how we can best serve the diverse learning needs of all students. Adopting clear, descriptive language will enable educators to share strategies, challenges, and successes more effectively, fostering a collaborative environment that benefits from shared knowledge. As we move forward, let us embrace the flexibility not only in our educational models but in the language we use to describe them. In doing so, we can ensure that every student has access to a learning path that meets them where they are, helping them to reach their full potential. So… what’s in a name? Quite a lot, as it turns out. The terms we choose to describe our educational models shape our perceptions and our realities. As we continue to innovate in the field of K-12 education, let’s select our words with care, ensuring they reflect the adaptability and inclusiveness at the heart of our teaching philosophies.

View email in browser Evergreen Education Group · 700 Main Ave Ste E · Durango, CO 81301-5437 · USA