March 2008 — News
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K-12 Online Teaching Endorsements: Ohio Department of Education Perspectives
The Ohio Department of Education does not list the online teaching endorsement among its program classifications for approved educator programs at 4-year Ohio institutions. I interviewed Marilyn Troyer, senior associate superintendent for Educational Programs at the ODE, for her reactions and those of the state department on endorsements for online teaching. Dr. Troyer has played a key role in Ohio's teacher education and licensure standards. Todd Hanes, executive director of the ODE Office of Community Schools, added his expertise.
Patricia Deubel: Dr. Troyer, before getting into the issue of endorsements, I'd like to present readers with a little more background on online learning in Ohio. Can you share the Ohio Department of Education's position on online learning in K-12?
Marilyn Troyer: The ODE does not have a state-led online school, but we know there is online learning going on and expect that any programs being offered are of the same caliber as that for other students.
Deubel: I observed that each of Ohio's 40 eCommunity schools "must have an 'affiliation' with at least one 'teacher of record' licensed by the State Board of Education. The teacher of record is responsible for the overall academic development and achievement of a student and not merely the student's instruction in a single subject" (Watson & Ryan, 2007, p. 113). I'm a little confused. Can you comment further on teacher licensure in those schools? Does this mean that individual subject matter teachers might not be fully licensed?
Troyer: Online schools are required to have licensed teachers who are highly qualified in the subject areas they teach.
Deubel: Todd, when Dr. Troyer and I spoke, I commented that if a student was having difficulty in math, for example, and contacted the teacher of record who was licensed in another content area, I would hope that the teacher of record could direct the student to a licensed math teacher for answers to his/her questions. My understanding is "teacher of record" is not necessarily the person teaching the course. Can you clarify "teacher of record" and the licensure issue I have?
Todd Hanes: The principles associated with great teaching and learning are relevance to the child, rigor of curriculum and instruction, and the engagement and relationship constructed by the teacher with students. We are in the business of closing the achievement gap in Ohio and using new Value-Added growth measures to close the achievement gap. The department pursues multiple learning pathways through education options such as e-learning and e-schools. Whether teaching is face to face, online, or a combination of both, the art of teaching is the foundation of that relationship and engagement between teacher and student.
