a “not-so-new” imperative: the urgency to adopt online learning options

A “Not-So-New” Imperative: The Urgency to Adopt Online Learning Options

Christopher Harrington, Ed.D.Director of Bridges Virtual Education Services

why are we here today?

a conversation.

state virtual schools or initiatives have developed in 40 states.

across the nation…

536,000 course enrollments in SY 2010-11

19% annual increase

Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2011). Keeping pace with K12 online learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen, CO: Evergreen Education Group.

across the nation…

full-time multi-district online schools continue to grow.

30 states…250,000 students in SY 2010-11

25% annual increase

Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2011). Keeping pace with K12 online learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen, CO: Evergreen Education Group.

most district programs are blended instead of fully online.

across the nation…

single district programs are the fastest growing segment of online and blended learning.

Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2011). Keeping pace with K12 online learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen, CO: Evergreen Education Group.

across the nation…

across the nation…

implications for commercial content providers?

what’s happening in Pennsylvania?

in Pennsylvania…

Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2011). Keeping pace with K12 online learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen, CO: Evergreen Education Group.

Pennsylvania Department of Education. (2012). Public school enrollment reports. Retrieved from http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/enrollment/7407/public_school_enrollment_reports/620541

2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-110

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

9,175

12,603 15,885

19,769

22,398 24,603

27,779Pennsylvania K-12 Cyber Charter School Enrollment

in Pennsylvania…

this has been building for years.

Who is driving this shift?

students & families

They know that they need a solution!

Models:

• Purchasing content and instructional services from 3rd party providers

• Purchasing content only from 3rd party providers – taught by own teachers

• Developing own content – taught by own teachers

• Combination of the above

Pennsylvania schools are responding…

What are the these schools thinking?

StrategicPlanning

SupportStructures

Learning Management

System

Marketing & Promotion

Program Evaluation

implementation aspects…

implementation aspects…

strategic planning:

• school board and community support

• growth and sustainability

• professional development

• academic and administrative supports

• program evaluation

StrategicPlanning

implementation aspects…

support structures:

• attendance

• professional development

• counselor procedures

• progress monitoring

• special education

• technology policies

SupportStructures

implementation aspects…

learning management system:

• system evaluation and selection

• implementation management

• professional development

• course design support

Learning Management

System

implementation aspects…

marketing and promotion:

• outreach strategy aligned to growth and sustainability strategy

• development of outreach materials

• outreach program evaluation

Marketing & Promotion

implementation aspects…

program evaluation:

• data collection and analysis

• cost/benefit analysis

• retooling for subsequent years

Program Evaluation

Where are you in this process?

Start the conversation in your school.

Find your “champion”…it won’t happen by itself.

Do your homework…research!

Learn what works, and what doesn’t work.

Seek others who have traveled the road before you.

Learn from the successes and mistakes of others.

what is my next step?

…learning and growing together

a conversation.

A “Not-So-New” Imperative: The Urgency to Adopt Online Learning Options

Christopher Harrington, Ed.D.Director of Bridges Virtual Education Services

charrington@bridgesvirtual.org(267) 718-2202