Summary SB130 (Vermont Legislature or Open States) establishes statewide dual enrollment and early college programs. Thes bill amends the state’s high school completion program by allowing students to pursue pathways to graduation that include applied or work-based learning opportunities, including internships. It also calls for career exploration to no later than seventh grade for all…
In Plain English: TX HB 1926
Companion Bill: SB 1298 by Senator Hegar Summary HB 1926 (Open States or Texas Legislature) enacts an online course access program for Texas, heavily utilizing the state virtual school network, which will act as a marketplace for high-quality online courses that have gone through an approval process. It expands student eligibility from only high school…
27 Aug 2013
The Tools of True Reform
Governor Jeb Bush, the Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, has an important editorial up at National Review arguing that we need serious reform and higher standards if we are to raise student achievement in America. While this article primarily pushes back against myths being perpetuated by opponents of higher…
20 Aug 2013
In Plain English: MI HB 4228
Summary HB 4228 (Open States or Michigan Legislature) appropriates funds for a wide range of education reforms and expansions in digital learning, including course access, expanding ease of access for 957,825 students wishing to enroll in online learning (allowing students to enroll in up to two online courses). It also increases for the Michigan Virtual…
20 Aug 2013
The Hill: Time for a New E-Rate
Over at The Hill, DLN Executive Director John Bailey argues that the needs of our current and future classrooms demand streamlined E-Rate program, attuned to the demands of 2013 rather than 1996. Building off the foundation of DLN’s E-Rate Policy Brief , this article continues the important conversation happening in the weeks leading up to the September 16th…
19 Aug 2013
In Plain English: ME LD 1533
Summary LD 1533/SP580 (Open States or Maine Legislature) was vetoed on July 8 by Governor LePage. The bill established provisions to fund public charter schools that are authorized by the Maine Charter School Commission beginning in fiscal year 2014-15. These provisions would be tied to annual requirements over experience. Governor LePage vetoed this bill due…
19 Aug 2013
RAND Study: Blended Learning Works
By Nathan Martin August 16, 2013 The promise of digital learning is getting a bit more concrete. According to a new study from the Rand Corporation, blended learning helps students make significant gains in math scores. Financed by the Department of Education, the two year study looked at over 18,000 students from 147 schools and…
16 Aug 2013
In Plain English: IA HF 215
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…
15 Aug 2013