Latests Posts
Morning Bell: Top 10 Education Stories of 2011
December 27, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment
7. House Education and the Workforce Committee moves to reduce federal role in education. This year, the House Education and the Workforce Committee put forward some major proposals to begin the important work of reducing the federal role in education. Two important proposals were introduced: one, by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), would trim the number of programs under NCLB from around 80 down to 43. Another by Chairman John Kline (R-MN), would allow states more flexibility to spend federal education dollars in a way that best meets the needs of local students. Both are good first steps to returning more power to state and local leaders, and reducing Washington’s bloated role in education.
6. Online learning growth accelerates. In 2011, a growing number of families decided to take advantage of the online learning options now available for K-12 students across the country. According to Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning, there are now 30 states with full-time online learning schools, open to students from districts across the state. Forty states offer state-run virtual schools, online charter schools are proliferating, and many more families are taking advantage of private online learning providers. Across the country, students are taking millions of courses online, customizing their educational experiences.
For the rest of the article, go to Morning Bell: Top 10 Education Stories of 2011
School of Dreams teaches students more than the basics
October 29, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment
The School of Dreams Academy is giving students and parents choices.
That’s what SODA’s Principal Michael Ogas stresses most about Valencia County’s only state authorized charter school in Los Lunas.
The school, which is home to 15 teachers, 280 students and six computer labs, utilizes a cutting-edge software, or “courseware” program, called Education2020, which provides students with a virtual classroom setting on their computers that teaches them their core classes at their own pace.
The courseware creates a one-on-one experience for students, and since work is completed at a student’s own pace, a student is able to advance to the next grade level if they are able, as well as work on their assignments at home.
And of course, in addition to E2020, each class has a teacher to instruct and help students in person. The courseware is not only aligned to state standards, but national standards as well, meaning SODA students are being educated at a national academic level.
For the rest of the article, go to School of Dreams teaches students more than the basics
Virtual school is a cloudy vision
August 13, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment
FARMINGTON — The Farmington Municipal school board of education saw too many “grey areas” surrounding a proposed virtual charter school during the school’s public hearing Thursday afternoon.
The New Mexico Virtual Academy went before the board and about 20 members of the public in an attempt to persuade the community that the academy would offer a new alternative within public school education. It would be the first virtual charter school in the state if approved.
“It’s not for every kid,” said Mary Gifford, senior vice president of K12 Inc., the company which would oversee curricula for the academy.
Though aimed primarily toward local students who do not fit into the traditional public school system, it would cater statewide to students with special needs; students who have fallen behind in school; students who want to move at a faster pace; or students looking to finish their high school education without having to physically return., said academy board member Larry Palmer.
Students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade could enroll. Local students would be the primary demographic, though students could enroll statewide.
For the rest of the article, go to Virtual school is a cloudy vision.
