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…
In Plain English: SC HB 3752
“Expanded Virtual Learning Act” Summary HB 3752 (South Carolina Legislature or Open States) expands virtual learning in South Carolina. This legislation would remove limits on the number of online credits a student might be awarded under the program. Legislative Analysis In May 2006, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) launched the South Carolina Virtual…
26 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
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
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
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
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
Important Step in E-Rate Update
Education Leaders Applaud FCC for Important Step in E-Rate Update July 19th, 2013 Today, the Federal Communications Commission took an important step toward greater support for student access to 21st century learning environments by voting to proceed with publication of its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to modernize the E-Rate program. The program supports high-speed broadband…
19 Jul 2013