Ecademy California News and Blog

Dear iNACOL Member:

I want to bring 2 reports recently released to your attention in K-12 online learning:

First is an Issue Brief written by Governor Bob Wise and Robert Rothman, released by the Alliance for Excellent Education, called “The Online Learning Imperative: A Solution to Three Looming Crises in Education” (http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/pdf/2010/02/aeeonlinelearningfeb2010.pdf, February 2010). This report is terrific – it outlines a very succinct case for how online learning is a solution for education reform efforts in a time of difficult budgets. This is an important advocacy report and briefing for online learning programs.

Second is a policy memo from The White House – the Executive Office of the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy. The memo is about Ed Tech Investments in the federal government (http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/edtech%20final.pdf, February 1, 2010). As background, in January 2010, the White House and Department of Education zeroed out the Title 2, Part D “Enhancing Education Through Technology” funding in the new budget. The memo outlines the reasoning and the places where you can find educational technology funding embedded in President Obama’s new proposed budget. Online learning is featured in the memo and all iNACOL members should be aware of the federal policy approaches. iNACOL is advocating for federal support and funding for K-12 online learning – including funding for online program development and online learning research.

I hope these reports are helpful in keeping up to date in the field and I look forward to continuing our work together. As always, please let me know how iNACOL can help support the good work you are doing.

Best regards,
Susan Patrick
President & CEO, iNACOL