District Administration - February 2008 - (Page 18)

BRIEFINGS VirtualSchoolsUpdate RESEARCH SHOWS THAT VIR tual schools are growing significantly, but so are their challenges stemming from infrastructure and data management. A new report researched and written by Evergreen Consulting Associates, a network of professionals working in online education and environmental protection, says that online learning programs are growing by at least 25 percent each year, and 42 states have significant online learning programs, but factors are emerging that put their efficacy into question. The report, “Keeping Pace with K12 Online Learning,” says the lack of transparency and data in many states, and questionable practices from a few pro- By Zach Miners Sustainability of Online Schooling at Risk laws and regulations. • Data to evaluate online programs against face-to-face education are lacking, in part because online student populations are at most only 1 to 2 percent of the total. • Florida Virtual School, the largest online program in the country in terms of unique students, had more than 100,000 course registrations and more than 50,000 students in 2006-2007. • Data to compare online learning programs to one another are insufficient, because of a lack of common measures in calculating student achievement. The full report is available on the Web site of the North American Council for Online Learning (www.nacol.org). grams, “may threaten the sustainability of online learning for all.” The report includes other key findings: • Some programs have attracted attention from policymakers due to questions about finances, quality and ways in which the programs adhere to existing Ruling Threatens Virtual Schools IN A RULING THAT COULD jeopardize the future of virtual schools throughout the state of Wisconsin, an appellate court recently determined that an online school in the Northern Ozaukee School District violates state laws and should be denied millions of dollars in open enrollment funds. The ruling said that the school, the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, “operates out of students’ homes with parents as the primary educators,” and violates statutes regarding teacher certification and open enrollment. The district has appealed the ruling to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Some educators fear the decision could produce a ripple effect for similar online schools in the state. “All these realities are crashing into each other,” says Mickey Revenaugh, VP for state relations at Connections Academy, a national virtual school. “People are asking, ‘What makes sense in a 21st century environment?’” 18 February 2008 Teacher-Created Courses ODYSSEYWARE, A WEBBASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT OFFERS media-rich core curricula and electives for grades 3-12, is widening its capabilities to allow teachers and educators to create their own course content. Founded in 2001, the company is used in more than 800 schools across the country in a variety of ways, including credit recovery, enrichment, mediation, and alternative education. “In terms of our growth every year we’ve pretty much doubled the number of schools our curriculum is implemented in,” says Christopher Toppings, chief of staff for OdysseyWare, “so we’re growing extremely rapidly.” Streamlining the Online Experience Experts say one of the biggest chalAGILIX, A COMPANY FOUNDED IN 2001 that delivers e-learning solutions in lenges facing virtual schools is efficiently delivering increasingly the education market, is takrich course content. ing on course content in a big “If students download way. Its GoCourse Learning a video and have it locally, System, a mobile e-learning they can watch it whenevplatform that allows content er they want and it’s a less to be downloaded locally expensive solution for the from the Web, is specially GoCourse screenshot school,” says Ericson. designed for the rising numCompany execs add that last month ber of students taking courses online and those who are technologically disadvan- Agilix secured a contract with a leading taged at home, says Jim Ericson, vice presi- U.S. university to conduct a pilot program dent of marketing. The system will feature using GoCourse to deliver content to students and institutions worldwide. future enhancements in these areas. District Administration http://www.nacol.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - February 2008

District Administration - February 2008
Contents
Editor’s Letter
Letters
News Update
Technology Update
Security Update
Virtual Schools Update
Curriculum Update
Inside the Law
District Profile
The “Other” Advanced Program
State of the Superintendency
Landing the Chief
Purchasing Security Products and Services
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
Speaking Out
Professional Opinion
Supervisor’s Opinion
Overheard on the Pulse
New Products
Problem Solution
Computer Literature
Research Corner
Calendar of Events
Products Showcase
Understanding the Times

District Administration - February 2008

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