When most people talk about increasing choice in education, they think about parents and children having more choice when it comes to selecting which school to attend. Digital learning, however, is making it easier and easier for students to customize their learning experience by having choices at the course level. Course choice programs can expand…
In Plain English: LA HB 116
Summary Louisiana HB 116 (Open States or Louisiana Legislature) creates the Task Force on Textbooks and Instructional Materials within the Department of Education. The task force will consider strategies for increasing the use of electronic texts and other materials and the costs of related hardware and internet access. Legislative Analysis HB 116 creates the Task…
17 Apr 2014
In Plain English: LA HB 1
Summary Louisiana HB 1 (Open States or Louisiana Legislature) is the state’s budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2013-14. This bill protected the Louisiana Course Choice program by finding alternative means of funding the program after the Supreme Court ruled the original funding method was unconstitutional. It invests an additional $69 million in K-12 education,…
7 Feb 2014
In Plain English: LA SR 167
Summary Louisiana SR 167 (Open States or Louisiana Legislature) is a Senate resolution requesting the Department of Education to establish a study group to conduct an expense analysis of replacing textbooks with e-books, implementing cloud technology, and related training. Legislative Analysis SR 167 is a senate resolution requesting the Department of Education to establish a…
6 Feb 2014
DLN State Report 6.27
Top Highlights Michigan Bill: HB 4228/Public Act 60, HB 4328/Public Act 59 Status: 06/13/2013 – Governor signed Relevant Elements: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9 On June 13, Michigan Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed off on the spending plan that passed the legislature last week signaling the end of the budget process for the fiscal year…
1 Jul 2013
DLN State Report 6.21
Top Highlights Texas Bill: SB 1365 Status: 6/14/2013 – Signed by Governor Relevant Elements: 4, 8 Texas SB 1365 was signed by Governor Rick Perry on June 14, and goes into effect immediately. It would require each district to select four examinations for each subject that are approved by the school district board of trustees….
21 Jun 2013
Statement From Digital Learning Now!, Clayton Christensen Institute, and iNACOL on Louisiana Moving Forward with Course Access
On Wednesday, June 19, 2013, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to allocate $2 million to fund the statewide Louisiana Course Choice program for the 2013-14 school year. This is good news for public school students attending a school graded with a C, D or F on the state’s accountability system, or…
20 Jun 2013
DLN State Report 6.14
Top Highlights Connecticut Bill: HB 6358/Public Act No. 13-108 Status: 06/06/2013 – Signed by the Governor Relevant Elements: 4 Connecticut HB 6358/Public Act No. 13-108 was signed by Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy on June 6 and will take effect July 1, 2013. The law permits an additional, non-traditional method for high school students to earn…
14 Jun 2013