March 2008 — News
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K-12 Online Teaching Endorsements: Ohio Department of Education Perspectives
Deubel: Todd, what do you think about endorsements for teaching online?
Hanes: The art of teaching, whether in a classroom or online, and engagement with students is the best predictor of student success. I think professional development including endorsements for teaching online are an excellent option for veteran teachers and for pre-service educators. An online teaching endorsement would provide teachers with additional tools to engage students and build that critical relationship.
Deubel: How do you anticipate the growth of online learning in Ohio?
Hanes: There is a moratorium on establishing new e-schools at this time, but e-school enrollment is increasing every year in Ohio to about 22,000 students this year. The moratorium has provided time and energy to address quality issues in e-learning. Value-added scores for all community school students including e-school students look promising.
The Bottom Line
The Ohio Department of Education views the issue of an endorsement for online teaching as a policy question worthy of study, but is taking a wait-and-see position as to whether or not to pursue such an endorsement in its licensure. The ODE through its Educator Standards Board and Office of Educator Preparation has the resources it needs should the time come to investigate the question and develop an endorsement program, and probably would not need to add additional staff. The state recognizes the need to ensure the academic achievement of all its learners and by addressing quality issues in e-learning, monitoring the achievement of its K-12 online learners, and ensuring that those students are being taught by highly qualified teachers according to current guidelines, it is doing just that. Nationally, if you consider what Ohio is doing and add research at state levels demonstrating that K-12 online learners are achieving at the same or even higher level when compared to their traditionally schooled counterparts, then the need for the endorsement could become a mute point. Time will tell.
References
Deubel, P. (2008, Jan. 10). K-12 online teaching endorsements: Are they needed? T.H.E. Journal SmartClassroom. Available: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/21804
Hanes, T. (2007, July 9). Community schools: A component of school choice. Columbus (OH): State Board of Education School Choice Policy Discussion. Retrieved January 22, 2008, from http://www.ode.state.oh.us
Watson, J., & Ryan, J. (2007, November). Keeping pace with K-12 online learning: A review of state level policy and practice. Retrieved January 19, 2008, from the North American Council of Online Learning, http://www.nacol.org/
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About the author: Patricia Deubel has a Ph.D. in computing technology in education from Nova Southeastern University and is currently an education consultant and the developer of Computing Technology for Math Excellence at http://www.ct4me.net.
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