Tuesday - December 08, 2009

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December Newsletter

Online Education is Texas-Sized Innovation

They say everything is "bigger" in Texas. Maybe that's why the "biggest" Innovation in K-12 education chose to hold its annual conference in Austin this year. iNACOL's (International Association for K-12 Online Learning) Virtual School Symposium (VSS) is THE online learning conference for leaders looking to help shape the future of education. The VSS brought together over 1600 representatives from national, state, district, private and other virtual school programs to attend the industry's leading event in K-12 online learning. The VSS highlights the cutting-edge work in K-12 online education across the country.

I had the good fortune of attending and I must say the excitement there was palatable. This is one of the most promising new frontiers in education, and everyone knows it. Online learning in K-12 schools is growing explosively. In 2000, there were 40,000-50,000 enrollments in K-12 online education. According to the Sloan Consortium, the overall number of K-12 students engaged in online courses in 2007-2008, is estimated at 1,030,000.

Technology-based forces of "disruptive innovation" are gathering around public education and will overhaul the way K-12 students learn-with potentially dramatic consequences for established public schools, according to a book that draws parallels to disruptions in other industries. Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns by Clayton M. Christensen, business professor at Harvard University (who is a Utah native), predicts that the growth in computer-based delivery of education will accelerate swiftly until, by 2019, half of all high school classes will be taught over the Internet.

I thought it might be interesting in light of this Texas sized round-up of K-12 technology innovators to share some Fast Facts About Online Learning published by iNACOL just prior to the conference (go here to read it in its entirety).

• K-12 online learning is a new field consisting of an estimated $300 million market, which is growing at an estimated annual pace of 30% annually.
• 45 of the 50 states, plus Washington D.C., have a state virtual school or online initiative, full-time online schools, or both.
• 24 states, as well as Washington, D.C., have statewide full-time online schools.
• Many virtual schools show annual growth rates between 20 and 45%.
• 35 states have state virtual schools or state-led online programs.
• As of January 2007, there were 173 virtual charter schools serving 92,235 students in 18 states.
• 72% of school districts with distance education programs planned to expand online offerings in the coming year.
• The National Education Technology Plan recommended that every student have access to e-learning opportunities and every teacher have access to e-learning training.
• Virtual schools and online learning can help provide equal access to rigorous courses for all students, reducing inequities that exist across the educational system.
• Virtual schools and online programs provide a range of courses such as science, math, foreign languages, electives and remedial courses with highly qualified teachers.
• Online Learning Is Effective: "Equal or Better": "One conclusion seems clear: On average, students seem to perform equally well or better academically in online learning." (p. 17)

These next stats will come as no surprise; however, if you're from my generation, one of your kindergarten skills was likely blowing bubbles in your milk during snack time. Today your kindergartner is probably one of the 80% of children that age who are fairly adept at using a computer. More astounding is that 67 percent of children in nursery school are computer users!

• 87% of all youth between the ages of 12 and 17 use the Internet (21 million people).
• 86% percent of teens, 88% of online teens, and 80% of all parents believe that the Internet helps teenagers to do better in school.

Look out K-12 public education, not only has online learning arrived but also it is a rapidly growing phenomenon predicted to be delivering 50 percent of all courses by 2019!

Published on UtahPolicy.com November 18, 2009 Link to Article

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Innovation Highlight - Open High School of Utah

A Great Example Of How Technology Is Changing The Way We Deliver Education In Utah

The Open High School of Utah opened their doors this Fall to 9th graders. They will be accepting 10th graders for the 2010-11 school year and adding 11th and 12th grade the following year. Here is a summary of what they do.

"The Open High School of Utah is a public charter school designed to meet the needs of the 21st century student. As an online school, we combine state of the art curriculum with strategic one-on-one instruction. Indeed our methods could be described as "one-on-one tutoring for every student in every subject."

Instruction is individualized allowing students to work at their pace. Our delivery of education is structured to provide maximum flexibility that is student-centered; responsive to the needs of each learner, eliminating the negative aspects of a one size fits all system. Our technology sets us apart. It's data-driven, providing real time information that instantaneously tracks the student and their performance. Unique to OHSU is our commitment to share the curriculum we have developed as open educational resources useable by anyone at anytime.

All of these elements combined make Open High School of Utah the future of education. We are the face of innovation."

Click on this voicethread to learn more about the innovative methods Open High uses to deliver education. Voicethread technology is one of the many forms of communication used at the school. Be sure to click on the faces of the students to hear why they like attending OHSU.

Visit their website www.OpenHighSchool.org to find more information and to learn how to enroll.

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 Legislative Auditor General says school districts are "not fulfilling their statutory responsibilities" in regards to Association Leave

In a report released on November 11, 2009, the Office of Legislative Auditor General (OLAG) found that school districts participating in association leave are in violation of statute citing, "most sampled districts do not account for the association president's time and there are not guidelines defining what a district benefit is and what it is not." It goes on to say, “Districts are not fulfilling their statutory responsibilities to ensure that association leave has a direct benefit to the school district, that they supervise employees on association leave and that they obtain reimbursement for the cost of paid association leave activities that do not provide a direct benefit to education.” Read our full Press Release HERE.

In response to PCE's press release regarding the Legislative Auditor General's Report, the following media and news stories were done.

Salt Lake Tribune November 12th HERE
Deseret News November 13th HERE
KSL Doug Wright Show November 13th HERE
Education News Colorado Blog Article November 16th HERE
Independent Institute Podcast November 23rd HERE

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 January's Newsletter to Feature PCE's 2010 Legislative Priorities

 

Watch for our next newsletter where we will be highlighting our Priorities for the 2010 General Legislative Session beginning on January 25. You can count on PCE to keep you informed about critical education policy and discussions happening on Capitol Hill. During the 45-day session members of the Utah State Legislature will vote on a host of bills affecting K-12 education. As always, Parents for Choice in Education will be working with legislators to make sure your voice is heard at the State Capitol. Just as we did last year, when important policy is being decided we will send out a "Call to Action" asking you to communicate with your elected officials.

 

 

 

 

 

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When we found out about the Carson Smith Scholarship it sounded like an answer to our prayers. My Mom completed all the paperwork and then we waited for the assessment. When we were told that I qualified it was such a relief.

Because of Carson Smith I have been able to remain in my private school. I get the one-on-one help I need, and I actually look forward to coming to school. I feel like I am learning the things that I will need to know in order to go on to college and get a good job. Carson Smith has given me a chance to be a success. 

When I was in public school it was horrible. I was failing all my classes. Now I am getting A's and B's, and I am actually learning something. I feel like I have the ability to do things on my own now, without waiting for help.

The person that I would like to be like when I grow up is my Mom, Mechelle. She is such a strong person. She never gives up and keeps on fighting. She sets a good example for me each day and always helps me do the right things.

Thank you so much for making the Carson Smith Scholarships available.

Thank you,
Keely Archuleta

 

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Merry Christmas!

As 2009 comes to a close, we would like to thank you for your support. When it comes to K-12 education, you have helped us in our efforts to increase choice, accountability, parental empowerment, innovation, and the overall improvement of Utah's education system.

We hope you enjoy a warm holiday surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

Season's Greetings & Merry Christmas!

 

from all of your friends at Parents for Choice in Education