The expanding array of education opportunities enabled by digital technology and broadband networks necessitates a renewed commitment to establishing trust with teachers, parents, and students that sensitive information is securely protected. Teachers and students have access to new tools and resources ranging from online gradebooks to online courses, personalized blended learning platforms, and math apps…
Archives for January 2014
Google Hangout: Digital Learning & Giving Students Choice
National School Choice Week starts this Sunday, Jan. 26. Last year, during National School Choice Week: 3,600+ events were organized across all 50 states 3,000+ schools celebrated by holding special events 29 governors and dozens of mayors issued proclamations 2,000+ news stories highlighted the Week Millions of Americans participated in events and activities celebrating the Week…
23 Jan 2014
In Plain English: FL HB 7009
Summary HB 7009 (Open States or Florida Legislature) increases accountability and transparency for charter schools while offering charters flexibility and allowing them to grow. It establishes the District Innovation School of Technology Program. It also stipulates that full implementation of on-line assessments of state standards is contingent upon verifying the technology capacity of all public…
15 Jan 2014
Digital Learning Now! Releases Smart Series Guide to EdTech Procurement
Digital Learning Now! (DLN), a national initiative of the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd), today released the 10th white paper in the DLN Smart Series in association with Getting Smart. Titled “Smart Series Guide to EdTech Procurement,” the paper features the expertise of John Bailey, executive director of Digital Learning Now!, Carri Schneider, director of policy and research at Getting Smart, and Tom Vander Ark, CEO at Getting Smart, as well as that of contributing authors Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates, and Daniel Owens, partner at the Learning Accelerator.
15 Jan 2014
In Plain English: FL SB 1076
Summary SB 1076 (Open States or Florida Legislature), the Career and Professional Education Act, creates new types of high school diploma designations, changes the funding formula for virtual institutions, revises graduation requirements, and focuses on integrating technology skills and industry certifications into programs in order to prepare students for high-demand, high-skill careers. In addition, the…
13 Jan 2014
In Plain English: CT HB 6704
Summary HB 6704 (Open States or Connecticut Legislature) establishes the state’s budget for the fiscal years 2014 and 2015. It expands previously enacted K-12 education reforms as well as science and technology programs at the University of Connecticut. It also appropriates funds for longitudinal data systems and implementation of the Common Core State standards. Legislative…
10 Jan 2014
In Plain English: CO SB 213
Summary SB 213 (Open States or Colorado Legislature) was a wide-reaching education reform bill that sought to restructure the state’s education funding system. It would have equalized online program funding with the statewide base per pupil funding, considered on-line students when calculating charter school funding, and established the Education Innovation Grant Program to fund innovative…
10 Jan 2014
In Plain English: CO SB 139
Summary SB 139 (Open States or Colorado Legislature) ensures that all high school students in Colorado have access to taking at least one supplemental on-line course each year by designating a single Boards of Cooperative Educational Service (BOCES) to contract and administer online courses with non-profit providers. It also requires annual parent, teacher, and student…
9 Jan 2014