A Right to Online Learning Opportunity?

This "manifesto" was adopted by iNACOL - The International Association for K-12 Online Learning. It provides a good litmus test for proposed online learning legislation or policy: Does the policy EXPAND opportunity or RESTRICT it?

Every Student’s Right to Online Learning Opportunity

Online learning is emerging as an essential part of the K-12 education landscape. To meet their educational goals and secure their future as active and productive citizens, K-12 students must have access to quality online learning opportunities in a variety of forms that meet their needs. This imperative is reflected the U.S. Department of Education’s National Education Technology Plan as well as in policy discussions in statehouses across the nation.

iNACOL therefore will endeavor through its advocacy and policy activities to ensure that all students have the opportunity to choose an online learning course or program that meets their needs as part of their K-12 education.

Further, iNACOL will promote every student’s right to online learning opportunity through advocacy for:

· Responsive state and federal policies so that a student’s choice of online opportunity is facilitated rather than blocked.

· Fair and sustainable funding so that online learning opportunities expand with student demand.

· Sensible and responsible oversight so that each student is guaranteed quality in the online opportunities available.

· Modern frameworks for curriculum and instruction so that each student may be assured of credit for successful online work.

· Thoughtful teacher licensure requirements so a student may always benefit from the best online instructors.

· Valid research so that a student’s online opportunities reflect effective best practices.

Military Recruiters Discriminating Against Virtual High School Grads?

Keeping hearing from virtual public school folks around the country that military recruiters consider their students' diplomas as "Tier 2" - equivalent to a GED - despite their school's authorization by the state or district, accreditation status, etc. That means that students are turned away from military service or come in at a lower status. The iNACOL Advocacy and Issues Committee is gathering evidence about this for a future push. If you've had this experience, please leave a comment here....and stay tuned for updates.

Online Learning Policy Trends in the Western States

Lots happening out West this spring, with legislation in play in multiple states and budget struggles having their impact as well.

This presentation recaps the trends as viewed through the lens of online learning opportunity: Does the given piece of legislation EXPAND online learning opportunities for students, or does it RESTRICT opportunity?

http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dfq7c6zf_484c42ds5dp

WA: Two Coalitions, Two Bills

Lots of activity this year in the Evergreen State! Something of an unsung pioneer among online learning states, Washington has one state-level, non-profit aggregator of online resources called the Digital Learning Commons, plus dozens of district-based online programs offering both supplemental and full-time online learning to students across the state. In addition to trail-blazing homegrown programs like the Federal Way Internet Academy, a growing handful of these are significant-sized full-time programs operated in partnership with national providers.
Last fall, these digital learning "coopetitors" - who had been meeting informally for several years - formally organized as the Washington Coalition for Online Learning (WaCOL), a soon-to-be affiliate of iNACOL. A parents' coalition, Washington Families for Online Learning, is also getting off the ground.

Both groups are now tracking TWO bills in the Washington State Legislature:

* SB5378 - Clarifies the process for accreditation of digital learning programs and specifically names WaCOL as a having a role in recommending accrediting bodies. This bill passed the Senate unanimously and is currently in the House Education Committee. See http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5378&year=2009

* SB5410 - This more complex and controversial bill would establish a state-level process for approving "multi-district online programs," which under current law are the purview of the districts (with some state reporting). The bill would also create a one-stop-shopping information source for parents and students seeking programs. SB5410 passed the Senate on March 9 and will have a hearing in the House Education Committee on St. Patrick's Day. See http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5410&year=2009

Illinois Update 3/4/09

VIRTUAL SCHOOL NEWS FROM SPRINGFIELD

HB 2448 - the bill that will allow districts to host and be funded for true virtual programs by removing "line of sight" and other requirements - passed the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee this morning with near-unanimous support. Some amendments underscoring virtual students' participation in state testing and special education are expected. For action updates, see http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2448&GAID=10&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=44612&SessionID=76&GA=96#actions

HB 3743 - the bill to finally establish the Illinois Virtual School in statute - is understood to have died in Committee, along with HB 2591, a similar bill, likely because of objections by the State Board regarding oversight. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=3743&GAID=10&SessionID=76&LegID=46539#actions

Online Learning at the State Houses

It's that time of year: Legislative sessions in full swing in statehouses across the land.

We're following K-12 online learning legislation in:

* Missouri - SB 291, Allows school districts to offer courses in a virtual setting and receive state funding for virtual courses. http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=683252

* Illinois - HB 2448, Allows a school district to establish a remote educational program and removes "line of sight" requirements. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2448&GAID=10&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=44612&SessionID=76&GA=96

* Illinois - HB2591, Establishes (once and for all!) the Illinois Virtual School. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2591&GAID=10&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=45324&SessionID=76&GA=96

Also interesting doings in Iowa and Mississippi...more on these soon!