K12 Launches Foundation for Blended and Online Learning
        
        
        
        K12 has launched The Foundation for Blended and  Online Learning, an independent charitable organization designed to advance  online and blended learning opportunities and outcomes.
The foundation will have three goals:
    - To offer scholarships for post-secondary  students;
 
    - To offer grants for individuals and  organizations advancing online and blended learning; and
 
    - Bringing together stakeholders for collaboration.
 
"Through multi-faceted giving program, The  Foundation for Blended and Online Learning seeks to build out scholarship  programs to include educational endowments for undergraduate juniors/seniors  pursuing teaching degrees, academic achievement tuition scholarships for online  and blended students, as well as technology stipends for materials,"  according to a news release. "Additionally, the foundation's grant program  will be designed to provide financial support to teachers working in blended  and virtual schooling environments or using digital content. The  Foundation will provide grants to educators for professional development,  graduate coursework completion, development and replication of best practices  for teaching in virtual environments."
The board of directors for the new foundation will include:
    - Kevin Chavous, as chairman, founding board  member and executive counsel for the American Federation for Children;
 
    - Robyn Bagley, founder and principal at Early College High School;
 
    - Kenneth Campbell, founding board member for the Black Alliance for Educational Options;
 
    - Allison Cleveland, executive vice president of  school management and services at K12;
 
    - Mary Gifford, senior vice president of academic  policy and external relations at K12; 
 
    - Linda Lopez, former Arizona State Senator;
 
    - Rod Paige, former United States Secretary of  Education; and
    Caroline  Vander Ark, COO of Getting Smart. 
"Thanks to K12's vision and financial generosity, we are  excited to launch the foundation," said Chavous in a prepared statement. "Through  our work we have an opportunity to shine a new light and illuminate blended and  online learning advancements in education."
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
            
        
        
                
                    About the Author
                    
                
                    
                    Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].