1. A “Not-So-New” Imperative: The Urgency to Adopt Online Learning Options Christopher Harrington, Ed.D. Director of Bridges Virtual Education Services

2. why are we here today? a conversation.

3. 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.

5. 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.

7. 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.

8. across the nation…

9. implications for commercial content providers?

11. what’s happening in Pennsylvania?

13. 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.

14. 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 in Pennsylvania…

15. this has been building for years.

16. Who is driving this shift? students & families

17. They know that they need a solution! Models: Purchasing content and instructional services from 3 rd party providers Purchasing content only from 3 rd party providers – taught by own teachers Developing own content – taught by own teachers Combination of the above Pennsylvania schools are responding…

18. What are the these schools thinking?

19. Strategic Planning Support Structures Learning Management System Marketing & Promotion Program Evaluation implementation aspects…

20. strategic planning: school board and community support growth and sustainability professional development academic and administrative supports program evaluation Strategic Planning

21. implementation aspects… support structures: attendance professional development counselor procedures progress monitoring special education technology policies Support Structures

22. implementation aspects… learning management system: system evaluation and selection implementation management professional development course design support Learning Management System

23. implementation aspects… marketing and promotion: outreach strategy aligned to growth and sustainability strategy development of outreach materials outreach program evaluation Marketing & Promotion

24. implementation aspects… program evaluation: data collection and analysis cost/benefit analysis retooling for subsequent years Program Evaluation

25. Where are you in this process?

26. 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?

27. …learning and growing together a conversation.

28. 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