In light of the scathing NEPC report on virtual schools, Kevin P. Chavous of K12 Inc. — whose partner schools account for more than a third of all online schools in the United States — argues for the need for meaningful measures of effectiveness ... and sets the record straight on student diversity.
- By Kevin P. Chavous
- 06/13/18
A new report has recommended continuation of a pilot to allow high school students to use Pell grants to cover the costs of college courses. The Alliance for Excellent Education is pushing Congress to consider the test involving early college high schools and dual-enrollment programs because it believes the move could boost college enrollment and completion.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/05/18
A new study from the National Education Policy Center offers "overwhelming evidence" that virtual schools don't work. The research from NEPC found that these schools have high student-to-teacher ratios and are "excessively large." They also continue to underperform academically. However, those virtual schools operated by districts performed "far better" than charter-operated schools in performance ratings.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/30/18
Western Governors University made the offer for people who want to earn their bachelor's or master's degree in education and aren't already enrolled there.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/30/18
In a touch of déjà vu a public broadcasting system in Las Vegas is helping an online school to deliver courses that lead to certifications. Vegas PBS, formerly known as KLVX, was the original source in 1991 when Clark County School District first began offering distance education to its adult learners. The format then was videotape on TV.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/29/18
A new nonprofit has formed to focus on "identifying and supporting global standards for flipped learning and related active learning instruction." Known as the Academy of Active Learning Arts and Sciences, the organization was created out of the Flipped Learning Global Initiative's Global Standards Project, an effort to establish an international framework for flipped learning.
The school was founded in 2000 and by 2015 had a student enrollment of 14,453, making it the Ohio's largest charter. By 2016, while ECOT had the "single-largest graduating high school class" in the country, it also had the worst failure rate.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/22/18
Educators have until the end of the month to put their best online and blended learning ideas forward as possible recipients for grant money from the Foundation for Blended and Online Learning.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/14/18
How to set up and orchestrate a successful online and blended learning program for K–12
A new guide on blended learning reminds school district leaders that blended isn't a goal unto itself; nor is it a specific instructional approach. Blended can be integrated into a "variety of educational models" and serves as the "vehicle" for providing innovative instruction.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/28/18