Summary HF 215 (Iowa Legislature or Open States) introduces a range of new education reforms including teacher leadership, mentorship and professional development programs. It establishes a competency-based instruction task force and a competency-based education grant award. The bill also appropriates $1.5 million per year for administering the state online learning initiative. Competency-based Education Grant Program This…
Archives for August 2013
In Plain English: FL HB 7029
Summary HB 7029 (Open States or Florida Legislature) expands the market of online courses in Florida, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and removes limits on which students can register for online classes The legislation requires the Florida Department of Education to create an online course catalog for digital learning courses. This catalog must provide…
14 Aug 2013
In Plain English: CT HB 6358
Summary HB 6358/Public Act No. 13-108 (Connecticut Legislature or Open States) allows students to earn academic credit towards graduation through non-traditional methods, by demonstrating mastery based on competency and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. It also increases education funding for education. Legislative Analysis By law, a student may already earn non-traditional…
13 Aug 2013
Blended Learning Goes Mainstream
By Nathan Martin August 13, 2013 For classrooms in the not too distant future, “Blended Learning” will be a term relegated to Wikipedia pages on the history of education and the vernacular of those people who still reference 8-track players and “the World Wide Web.” Students and parents will expect that schools will be defined…
13 Aug 2013
DLN State Report 8.9.13
Top Highlights Since 1996, few federal policies have helped more to encourage connectivity and lay the foundation for digital learning more than the E-Rate program. Originally established to help provide discounts to assist public and private schools as well as libraries obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. The program has helped shape the national landscape,…
10 Aug 2013
State of Digital Learning
By Nathan Martin August 9, 2013 At the foundation of Digital Learning Now! is the belief that policy impacts growth. While digital learning and the use of technology in the classroom will continue to grow and become more prevalent and common, state policy will either help or hinder that growth. Digital learning will either be…
9 Aug 2013
Unbundling of Higher Education
By Nathan Martin August 7, 2013 In times of economic crisis, a country’s true fiber and constitution can be seen. While the recession impacts the majority of families and homes across the country, American ingenuity and innovation continues to flourish despite the downturn. Necessity is spawning invention at institutions of higher education, as financial realities…
7 Aug 2013
Genachowski “New Innovation Battlegrounds”
By John Bailey August 7, 2013 Over at Forbes, Julius Genachowski, former FCC Chairman (and member of the Aspen Taskforce on the Internet and Learning), points out how state and local governments are the new battleground for innovation: What’s going on here? In cities and states across the country, two forces are engaged in battles…
7 Aug 2013