STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – TOPIC SUMMARY Topic: Virtual Learning Work Group Date: June 19, 2008 Staff/Office: Ed Dennis, Steve Nelson, ODE Action Requested: Information only Policy Adoption Policy Adoption/Consent Calendar
ISSUE BEFORE THE BOARD: Creation of a work group with the goal of making policy recommendations to the legislature and board regarding online learning.
BACKGROUND: The Oregon K-12 Enterprise has a variety of online and distance learning programs that require a new policy framework to assure equity and quality in the development of online instruction in the current system.
The K-12 Enterprise has offered distance learning options for ten years through district and ESD programs directed primarily at students seeking individual credits and access to courses not offered in their districts. More recently, districts have been working with public and private developers of online charter schools requesting waiver of the 50 percent student residency requirement to enable the schools to deliver content statewide to full and part-time students. This development has exposed the need for extensive consideration and development of statewide policies to guide the evolution of digital options for public schools in an ever- increasing digital age.
Since November 2007, the board has discussed the possibility of creating a work group consisting of key stakeholders and staff to work through the policy issues raised by online learning, particularly virtual charter schools. At its May 2008 meeting, the board requested staff to present a recommendation for developing such a work group to make recommendations to the board, Governor and 2009 Legislature.
KEY POLICY ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED: Cost to deliver online education/appropriate SSF reimbursement Teacher quality/class size Governance issues Equity issues
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Designate an expanded Oregon Virtual Scholl Advisory Council to develop policy recommendations for State Board to adopt and forward to the Governor and 2009 Legislature.
Scope: Develop policy framework for distance learning that ensures quality education, equitable delivery and the appropriate funding mechanisms for online schools.
Milestones: Milestones show the critical dates and timeframes to achieve the goal of board-adopted policy presented to the board, Governor and 2009 Legislature.
June-July: additional members secured, documentation distributed.
July: Council begins monthly meetings to develop policy framework.
November: Draft recommendations presented to board
December: Final recommendations presented to board for approval. Recommendations forwarded to Governor and Legislature.
1 Proposed Group Membership: Members of the current OVSD Advisory Council with additional members to adequately represent the charter school constituency. The current OVSD council has been in place since 2006 and has been working on the issues of digital instruction in education.
Organization Representative Current OVSD Advisory Member or new designee Salem Keizer School District/SK Online Jim Safeels Current
North West Regional ESD Paul Nelson Current
Linn Benton Lincoln ESD/Cool School Tom Luba Current
Portland Public Schools Jay Kueter Current
Willamette ESD Leslie Golden Current
Redmond School District Vickie Fleming Current
Southern Oregon ESD/Oregon Online Virginia Pettit Current
High Desert ESD Dennis Dempsey Current
University of Oregon Tom Layton Current
Oregon State University Debbie Bryant Current
SEIU Laurie Wimmer-Whelan Current
North Clackamas School District TBD New Designee
State Board Member Representative TBD New Designee
Scio School District TBD New Designee
OSBA TBD New Designee
COSA TBD New Designee
2