Title of Study: Online Learning Policy Survey:  A Survey of the States

Author(s): Center for Digital Education

Summary:

This report ranks states based on their vision, policies and strategies to deploy online learning to transform the state’s academic environment to meet the needs of their students.  Administrative issues such as funding strategies, licensure of teachers and enrollment trends are addressed.

Sponsoring entity(s): Center for Digital Education

Date conducted: 2009

Location of the study: This study can be accessed through the Converge website.

Setting(s) addressed:

• Online education

Targeted population(s):

• K-12

Primary sources of evidence used in the study or report:

• Survey of education officials representing 44 states

Primary Technology Application(s) Addressed:

• Online education

Major education topic(s) addressed:

• Online learning

Major findings/conclusions:

• Twenty-six states currently operate statewide online learning programs, and twenty-four of these are state-led programs.
  
  
• 89% of states with online learning offer courses year round.
  
  
• Nine states have state-led virtual schools funded using the same formula as traditional schools. Other states have a variety of funding mechanisms, including full-time online charter schools financed as state-funded charters or through district funding, sometimes on a per-pupil basis.
  
  
• Online courses have had a major impact in rural areas, especially in providing specialized courses such as advanced science and math courses for which qualified teachers are not otherwise available.
  
  
• Florida Virtual School is the largest in the nation, with 124,000 students and an expanding enrollment.

Practical implications of the findings:

• The study predicts that joint K-20 online ventures are gaining popularity, with a number of states planning to implement these programs in the near future.  K-20 programs will allow students to enroll concurrently in high school and college courses.
  
  
• Licensure reciprocity is needed to allow online teachers to conduct courses outside of their home state.  Currently 20 states do not allow any reciprocity, while others allow reciprocity with caveats or require dual licensing.  Only four states have full reciprocity.

Reviewer Comments:

Individuals at state departments of education self-reported the data in the study in response to a survey.  44 of the 50 states responded.