K-12 Online Learning (OLL) in Minnesota

1. K-12 Online Learning (OLL) in Minnesota Karen Johnson, MDE Counselors Forum District 287 9/20/06

2. Topics To Be Covered Online Learning Definitions MS 124D.095 Online Learning Options Act Certification of Programs Success in Online Learning Rights and Responsibilities Enrollment and Student Services Current Trends

3. Online Learning (OLL) is.... an interactive course or program that • delivers instruction from a teacher to a student by computer, • is combined with other traditional delivery methods that include frequent student assessment, • may include actual teacher contact time; • meets or exceeds state academic standards. M.S. 124D.095 – Online Learning Options Act, Subd. 2(a)

4. Types of OLL Instruction Sloane Center for Online Education (SCOLE) 2005

5. Where Does OLL Occur? • From home • From a classroom setting • From a media center • From a public library • From any computer that is networked for the internet.*Student must reside in Minnesota*

6. When Does OLL Occur? OLL can occur • During the school day • In the evening • During summer However, funding for summer instruction is limited to learning year programs.

7. Who Needs Program Approval? • Public school programs serving students from other districts (11). • Online charter schools (6) and consortiums of schools or intermediate districts (4). 23 approved programs for 2006-07 (53% increase from 2004-05)

8. Who Does Not Need Approval? • Programs serving resident district students. • Programs serving students at the school site (computer-based instruction). • Alternative programs approved for independent study and use OLL as the curriculum for independent study and continue to meet the 20-25% contact time.

9. Program Certification Requirements • General program information. • Courses and academic standards. • Teacher contact time, interactivity, assessment and attendance. • Enrollment policies and procedures. • A web link to a list of the courses offered and essential program information that is maintained by the OLL provider.

10. OLL Program Structure Steering group curriculum, instructional design,teaching strategies CMS, tools, training, vendor or build? Registration, records, advising, testing, special education, administrative services

11. Course Creation/Delivery • Statute does not limit who can design OLL courses • Meet the Minnesota academic standards • Designed by the district • Designed commercially • Designed and offered by a consortium • Minnesota licensed teacher must assemble & deliver instruction and assign credit

12. Instructional expectations • The online learning courses and programs must be rigorous, aligned with state academic standards, and contribute to grade progression in a single subject. • Online learning providers must affirm to the commissioner that online learning courses have equivalent standards or instruction, curriculum, and assessment requirements as other courses offered to enrolled students. • The online learning provider must also demonstrate expectations for actual teacher contact time or other student-to-teacher communication. MS 125D.095 Subd. 7

13. Examples of Class Interaction

14. What is the appeal of OLL? • Place independent • Time independent • Convenience • Internet resources • Accessibility • Technology interest • New opportunities for learning (from remediation to enrichment)

15. Reasons Students Enroll Increase range of offerings (advancement or enrichment) Create an individual plan - self paced learning Scheduling needs (family or school) Graduation date has passed Teen parents Drug or alcohol recovery Social issues with school Educational access for special students (e.g. homebound) Hospital-bound student Family medical reasons

16. OLL Student Characteristics • Independent learner • Self-disciplined and self-directed • Good organizational skills • Enjoys technology • Good reading and writing skills • Feels disconnected in traditional classroom • Good time management skills • Motivation to complete course (interest or requirement) • Positive attitude and willing to take risks • Consistent parental support and guidance • Cognitive style http://www.ilcco.net/oasis/

17. Rights and Responsibilities Online Learning Option Act provides guidance to four stakeholders of online learning • Student • OLL provider • Enrolling district • Department of Education

18. Rights To participate in any approved OLL program Enroll in 12 semester courses Additional courses for a fee Equal computer and software access at enrolling school. Enrollment in different grade level courses. Responsibilities 30 day notification to enrolling district. Complete the course(s) Give up instructional time at enrolling district in proportion to OLL course enrolled, at the discretion of the enrolling district OLL Student’s Rights & Responsibilities

19. Rights Provide non-enrolled students with up to 12 semester courses, or the equivalent May limit participation by resolution Responsibilities Notify student and enrolling district of acceptance to OLL within 10 days. Assist students whose family qualifies for the education tax credit to acquire computer hardware or software for OLL Instruct no more than 40 students in an OLL course or program Assist student with informing enrolling district of OLL participation & course completion Request MARSS student numbers from prior school OLL Program’s Rights & Responsibilities

20. Rights Reduce an OLL student’s enrolling district’s instruction in proportion to the OLL courses. Challenge the validity of an OLL course. Responsibilities Not prohibit a student from enrolling in OLL. Award credit for completed coursework. Allow students to participate in extracurricular activities. Make available OLL information. Enrolling District’s Rights & Responsibilities

21. Rights Collect $250 per OLL application Collect $50 per course challenge to facilitate the process Responsibilities Certify OLL providers Publish list of providers Review course challenges Calculate and pay aid to approved programs Advisory Council Liaison MDE’s Rights & Responsibilities

22. Enrollment Process Fully enrolled • Open enrolled to a nonresident district • Charter school • Desegregation district Part time enrollment • 30 day notification Over-enrollment (more than 1.0 ADM or summer enrollment) • Tuition to OLL provider • Learning Year Program (additional 20% instruction)

23. OLL Program Access From(30 day Notification) • Student and family • OLL provider • Enrolling district • Form is kept on file at both the OLL provider and enrolling district offices. • If the 30 day notice period is waived the form must be signed by enrolling district and returned to the OLL provider. • Student must be in the MARSS system at enrolling school.

24. Common Enrollment Issues • Notification (waiving deadlines) • Exchange of records (transcripts) • Special enrollment dates (flexible terms) • Local policies • Drop/add classes • Grading • Transcript evaluation and credit transfer(requirements of statute) • State academic standards

25. Advising the OLL Student • OLL predictive success assessments (OSSS) • Key skills • Getting organized • Assuming responsibility • Taking control • Communication with teachers and programs • Study skills • Learning styles “reflective conceptualizer” Steven Brookfield • Comprehensive academic planning

26. Academic Planning • Communication between districts. • Grade level and graduation requirements. • Returning students must be in MARSS system to access OLL. • Selecting appropriate classes. Contact the OLL provider about specific questions. • Technology access. • Support and organizational structures. • Special education and IEP team.

27. Questioning Assumptions • OLL is easier than going to the local school. • Level of interaction in an OLL class. • Students lack self-discipline & organizational skills for OLL. • Technology will be an obstacle. • Students will not have social interaction in OLL. • Students will be invisible the OLL class. • Contact with the teachers is minimal in OLL. • Grade distributions change from onsite to online. • Students will be less satisfied with their learning experience. There are no backseats in the OLL classroom!

28. Trends Online Learning • Each year enrollments will increase substantially. • More schools will apply for certification. • New teaching strategies will be applied, such as active, constructivist learning. • Teachers will seek professional development for online learning instruction. • More online tools and instructional resources, such as the OLL program and course clearinghouse and learning objects repositories.

29. Crucial Questions Learner outcomes. What is the impact on achievement? Learner characteristics. Can success be predicted? Online learning features. What is the most effective combination of media and methods? Online teaching and professional development. What are characteristics of successful OLL teachers? Educational context. When is it best applied? (content area, school type, grade level). K-12 OLL Synthesis of Research NCREL 2005

30. Institutionalization of e-learning...in America’s schools is not about establishing...a delivery system “competing with” traditional K-12 schools....it is essentially about educational improvement, school reform, and improving academic performance in America’s high schools. . . e-learning isn’t about digital technologies any more than classroom teaching is about chalkboards. Blomeyer, R., Clark, T. & Smith, 2005, “A Synthesis of New Research On K-12 Online Learning”

31. References and Resources • Minnesota Learning Innovations Council http://www.iseeksolutions.org/policy/innovations.htm • Minnesota Digital Learning Plan http://www.iseeksolutions.org/policy/mndigit.htm • Synthesis of New Research in K-12 Online Learning http://www.ncrel.org/tech/synthesis/ • Keeping Pace With K–12 Online Learning: A Review of State-Level Policy and Practices http://www2.learningpt.org/catalog/item.asp?SessionID=827013365&productID=143

32. References and Resources • Concord Consortium – www.concord.org • Illinois Online Network – www.ion.illinois.edu • Learning Point Associates / NCREL – www.ncrel.org/tech/elearn.htm • National Technology Standards - http://cnets.iste.org • North American Council for Online Learning – www.nacol.org • The Sloan Consortium – www.sloan-c.org • Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications (WCET) – http://www.wcet.info/

33. MDE OLL Contact Information Karen Johnson Online Learning Specialist Minnesota Department of Education karen.m.johnson@state.mn.us 651.582.8733 http://education.state.mn.usacademic excellence – school choice – online learning Approved Online Learning Providers Minnesota Map: Online Learning Providers Online Rights and Responsibilities Program Access Form (30 day notification)