February 9, 2005
Online K-12 and the Choice Movement
The New York Times > Education > Tiny District Finds Bonanza of Pupils and Funds Online (free registration required)
This article describes the amazing boom in online K-12 schools. While the numbers struck me as interesting (one Colorado school had more than 1,000 students sign up in a short time and was getting $15 million in state funding), the article had a somewhat negative tone regarding online K-12 schools.
"Cyberschools are the 800-pound gorilla of the choice movement, although vouchers and charter schools get a lot more attention," said William Moloney..."
To me it seems the issue of choice is the real driver. It is not that online schools will "take over" or completely replace school as we know it but that choice for students and parents is increasing. Over time I am sure many models will emerge that include online, traditional, and mixed educational modes. Personalization, not distance or technology is what people want. It means that the typical school bureaucracy might actually have to become more responsive to the needs of the students and parents!
I will add that choice applies not just to students but to teachers too. I have seen more than one online school advertising for certified teachers to teach, even across state borders. Think of being able to compare salaries for online teaching from 10-20 states or for mixing online and classroom teaching.
I still predict that we will know that the choice movement (I am not sure "choice" is a movement but oh well) has really arrived when educational administrations start to try to push laws into place to inhibit the growth of alternative entities.
Posted by Rovy at February 9, 2005 7:01 PM