All students have access to multiple high-quality digital providers.
Metrics:
- State allows alternative routes for teacher certification.
- Statewide digital-provider authorization includes:
a. virtual charter schools
b. full-time online schools
c. part-time individual online courses
- The criteria, process, and timeframe for authorizing online providers are clearly defined.
- Online providers, including virtual charter schools, full-time online providers, and individual online course providers, are allowed to appeal decisions or revise and resubmit their applications after a denial.
- Multiple opportunities during the year are available for virtual charter schools, full-time online providers, and individual online course providers to apply for approval.
- Approval of digital providers lasts for three or more years.
- State maintains a website that provides information and links to all digital learning opportunities, including all approved virtual charter schools, full-time online schools, and individual online course providers.
In the digital age, innovative learning programs are rapidly evolving and providers can be located anywhere. Regulations should reflect this new paradigm.
To maximize the potential of digital learning, states must provide a rich offering of providers that can cater to the diverse and distinctly unique needs of different students. States should set common-sense standards for entry, have a strong system of oversight and quality control, and foster a robust competitive environment where students can choose the provider who best meets their learning needs. Unnecessary administrative requirements, such as having a brick and mortar office in the district or state, create obstacles that prevent high-quality providers from participating.
Public, not-for-profit and private for-profit organizations provide different benefits to the education consumers – both the students and the taxpayers. Public providers were pioneers in digital learning and provide a record of proven success in providing supplemental education in partnership with school districts. Not-for-profits extend access and often make contributions to open education resources. Private providers have the capital to invest in development of high-quality content, can administer comprehensive school management services and offer collaboration opportunities with their national network of students.
Consumers of education – both students and parents –often provide the best feedback on the quality of providers. A publicly available database that fosters a feedback loop, similar to tools used by Amazon or eBay, would help parents and students make informed decisions about digital learning.