2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements Executive Summary Introduction Defi nitions Background Benefi ts & Challenges Accountability Access Funding Recommendations Conclusion Appendix A Task Force Members 3 3 6 7 9 11 14 18 20 22 23 24 Back Cover
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was prepared by the <strong>Colorado</strong> State Board <strong>of</strong> Education Online Education Task Force, which was established in January 2007. Task Force members were appointed by State Board <strong>of</strong> Education Chairman Pam Suckla and include co-chairs Jared Polis and Senator Nancy Spence, Michael Bennet, Michelle Brandstetter, Jim Christensen, Jim Dyer, Keith King, John Knapp, Alan McFadden, Ed McVaney, Alex Medler, Butch Montoya, Scott Price, Chris Rapp, Senator Chris Romer, Judith Stokes, and Senator Jack Taylor. Special thanks to Scott Groginsky <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Colorado</strong> Children’s Campaign for drafting earlier versions <strong>of</strong> the report and to Spiros Protopsaltis <strong>of</strong> the Offi ce <strong>of</strong> Jared Polis for editing the report. The task force expresses its sincere appreciation to the staff <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Colorado</strong> <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Education for their assistance with the work <strong>of</strong> the task force, including Commissioner William Moloney, Chief <strong>of</strong> Staff Karen Stroup, Byron Pendley, Gerry Difford, Vody Herrmann, Cindy Howerter, and Patrick Chapman. The task force held one public hearing and three additional meetings where they received testimony and deliberated the fi ndings and recommendations contained in this interim report. The task force members are especially grateful to the many students, parents, educators, and members <strong>of</strong> the public who testifi ed at the public hearings and to the scores <strong>of</strong> concerned citizens who submitted written testimony. This input was thoughtful and compelling and greatly helped the task force to improve this report. The members <strong>of</strong> the public who wrote to and testifi ed before the task force represented diverse interests and perspectives, and provided concrete examples <strong>of</strong> how online education had affected them. Written comments included letters that shared specifi c examples <strong>of</strong> how online education had served them or their families. People who spoke to us included students from online schools and their parents who explained the reasons they were attracted to online schools and the benefi ts they found in these programs. They also included teachers and administrators from online programs who described how their schools function and the ways they use technology and other methods to personalize their teaching and connect with young people. District <strong>of</strong>fi cials talked to the task force about the realities <strong>of</strong> implementing alternative programs, including stories <strong>of</strong> how online education allowed them to expand their <strong>of</strong>ferings, as well as the challenges they face in determining how to fi t their online education into existing funding and accountability structures, and how to meet the needs <strong>of</strong> students experiencing extraordinary circumstances. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This interim report examines key issues related to online education. Task force members agree that 1) online education has become a viable element <strong>of</strong> <strong>Colorado</strong>’s public education system, 2) the role <strong>of</strong> technology in educating our children will continue to grow, and 3) online education has signifi cant potential to help students succeed. The primary focus <strong>of</strong> this report is on full-time online education in <strong>Colorado</strong>, <strong>of</strong>fering a background <strong>of</strong> the issue and defi nitions for key terms, and addressing the following areas: benefi ts and challenges, accountability, access and funding. Also, the task force found several successful examples <strong>of</strong> online education and its positive impact on the lives <strong>of</strong> students and their families, and a sample <strong>of</strong> success stories are showcased throughout the report. As a new and emerging enterprise, online education involves several commonly used terms that require clarifi cation. The task force discussed and established defi nitions for the following key terms: Online schools, Supplemental online education programs, At-risk students, Learning centers, and Complete educational programs. We also agreed that online education needs to <strong>ONLINE</strong> <strong>EDUCATION</strong> <strong>REPORT</strong> 3
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