Online Learning Report - Keeping Pace

Last month John Watson, Butch Gemin and Jennifer Ryan from Evergreen Consulting Associates released an interesting report titled Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning 2008. The report takes a look at K-12 online programs in the United States. Here's some highlights:

• State-led programs and initiatives continue to be an important online learning option for students in many states.
• As of fall 2008, 34 states offer state-led programs or initiatives that are designed, in most cases, to work with existing school districts to supplement course offerings for students.
• Full-time online schools are a second common online learning option:
  
• As of fall 2008 there are 21 states that have these types of schools.
  
• They are often charter schools, although there are also some non-charter, district-run programs that are available to students across the state.
  

Most state-led programs are:

• High school level, with some middle school,
• Supplemental—providing one or more courses to students enrolled elsewhere, and
• Funded primarily by separate state appropriations rather than the per-pupil funding formula.

Examples of state-led programs (which provide full courses, teachers, and student support) include:

• The Florida Virtual School
• The Illinois Virtual High School
• The Michigan Virtual School
• The Idaho Digital Learning Academy
• The Georgia Virtual School
• The Kentucky Virtual Schools, and
  
• The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program.
  

Examples of state-led initiatives, which provide online resources, or serve as a central clearinghouse for online courses, include:

• The Washington Digital Learning Commons
• The Wyoming Switchboard Network
• The Texas Virtual School Network, and
  
• The Oregon Virtual School District.

The report is long (165 pages!) but a very interesting read. You can download a PDF of the full report here.