TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Digital Learning Now (DLN), an initiative of the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd), today released the 2014 Digital Learning Report Card.
The Report Card measures state progress in advancing state policies against the 10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning. In 2014, states continued to implement and refine the 422 laws enacted over the last four years. Last year, half the states improved their grades overall, 14 states moved up one letter grade and nine states moved out of the “F” category.
State policymakers play a critical role in accelerating the adoption of new models of learning enabled by technology. State policy can either remove barriers to innovative approaches or it can stifle them with restrictions, red tape, and protecting the status quo.
“Digital learning policies promise a way to create customized education systems where all students flourish,” said Patricia Levesque, CEO of ExcelinEd. “The 2014 Digital Learning Report Card highlights the efforts of states working towards this goal and underscores future opportunities for change.”
- In the 2014-2015 school year, students enrolled in more than 19,000 courses through Louisiana‘s Course Access program.
- Minnesota’s Online Learning Advisory Council is identifying state rules and laws that are barriers to innovation and online learning.
- Ohio Governor John Kasich’s Straight A Innovation Fund is distributing $250 million through a competitive grant process with the intent of encouraging innovative strategies, including blended learning.
- Creating Competency-Based Pathways to Postsecondary Education in Arizona is providing multiple options within and beyond high school for students that demonstrate minimum college readiness.
The nation’s 50 states and their education systems have the opportunity to use technology in innovative ways to drive learning. The annual Digital Learning Report Card offers a comprehensive state-by-state analysis of laws and education policies that are doing just that. This year, the Report Card amplifies state voices, clarifies metrics for next generation policies and creates a broader picture of digital learning across the nation.
Download the report and learn more about the 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning.
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Spread the word via social media:
- Just released Report Card from @DigLearningNow shows how states across the nation stack up against the 10 Elements https://bit.ly/1s0BNtX
- In 2014, 450+ #DigLn bills were debated & 51 signed into law. Learn more: #DLNreportcard from @DigLearningNow https://bit.ly/1s0BNtX
- What grade did your state receive? Find out from @DigLearningNow here: https://bit.ly/1s0BNtX #DLNreportcard
- .@DigLearningNow measures and analyzes #DigLn policy landscape nationwide, state by state. View report card here: https://bit.ly/1s0BNtX
About ExcelinEd
The Foundation for Excellence in Education is igniting a movement of reform, state by state, to transform education for the 21st century economy by working with lawmakers, policymakers, educators and parents to advance education reform across America. Learn more at ExcelinEd.org.
About Digital Learning Now
Digital Learning Now, an initiative of the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd), works to advance state policies that will create a high-quality digital learning environment to better equip all students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the 21st century. The policy framework stems from the belief that access to high-quality, customized learning experiences should be available to all students, unbounded by geography or artificial policy constraints.