E-Learning 2010: Assessing the Agenda for Change

Editorial Projects in Education. 6935 Arlington Road Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20814-5233. Tel: 800-346-1834; Tel: 301-280-3100; e-mail: customercare@epe.org; Web site: http://www.edweek.org/info/about/

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15

Electronic Learning; Elementary Secondary Education; State Standards; Online Courses; Virtual Classrooms; Asynchronous Communication; Synchronous Communication; Teaching Methods; Dropouts; Dropout Rate; Enrollment; Mentors; At Risk Students; Educational Technology; Accreditation (Institutions); Feedback (Response); High Schools

Arkansas; Florida; Idaho; Michigan; Oregon; Virginia; Wisconsin

0277-4232

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed legislation this month promoting the growth of virtual schools. The new law requires the state to develop policies for approving and monitoring a wide array of private and nonprofit online education providers. The legislative action in Virginia is the most recent major policy move by a state to expand the opportunities for students to take online-only courses from a variety of providers. The law mirrors the growth of e-learning across the country and the need to focus on the quality of online courses and whether they meet state standards and push K-12 learning to a higher, more interactive level. This special report aims to highlight the progress made in the e-learning arena, as well as the administrative, funding, and policy barriers that some experts say are slowing the growth of this form of education. It also examines the trends that are likely to force policymakers to re-examine the current rules of engagement for virtual learning. Articles contained herein include: (1) Schools Factoring E-Courses Into the Daily Learning Mix (Michelle R. Davis); (2) E-Learning Delivery Debated (Ian Quillen); (3) Detroit-Area District Innovates To Address Dropout Problem (Michelle R. Davis); (4) Virtual Ed. Enrollment Caps Facing Greater Scrutiny (Constance Gustke); (5) E-Learning Hits Barriers to Expansion (Constance Gustke); (6) Lack of Sustainable Funding A Challenge for Online Ed. (Katie Ash); (7) Accreditation Is Seen as High Priority (Katie Ash); (8) E-Learning in All Shapes and Sizes (Katie Ash); and (9) E-Curriculum Builders Seek A Personalized Approach (Michelle R. Davis).

ERIC

2011

EJ908850