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Visit the Columbus City Schools website [http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/website.nsf/(ccs_pages)/ParentsAndStudents?opendocument]
to learn more and to get ideas on the type of information and resources your school or district may want to provide.
If you have a Promising Practice to share, post links to your information under the “Share Promising Practices” discussion (http://sharedwork.org/16798/weblog/574.html) or upload your examples in the Files section.
* American Youth Policy Forum: Offering High School Credit Through Expanded Learning Opportunities
Posted on Wednesday 16th June 2010, 6:43pm by Tori Cirks
Friday, July 9, 2010: Offering High School Credit Through Expanded Learning Opportunities
This forum will highlight the New Hampshire Extended Learning Opportunities (NH ELO) Initiative that seeks to offer credit to high school students for opportunities pursued outside of the traditional classroom setting. Developed by Plus Time New Hampshire and the state department of education, NH ELO allows students to design and carry out a standards-aligned ELO in exchange for course credit; students develop their plan of learning with a highly qualified teacher and demonstrate mastery through a competency-based assessment. Presenters include Paul Leather, Deputy Commissioner of Education, New Hampshire Department of Education (NH); Janice Hastings, VP of Program & Resource Development, Plus Time New Hampshire (NH); and Michael O’Malley, Principal, Newfound High School (NH).
Thursday, July 8, 2010
WEBINAR: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST
LIVE WEBCHAT: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST
Participants
Allison Powell, PhD, Vice President, International Association for K–12 Online Learning
Lori Westhoff, Principal, Humboldt High School (Humboldt, Iowa)
Bob Wise, President, Alliance for Excellent Education
America’s K–12 education system faces three significant challenges: (1) increased global demands for skilled workers, (2) significant financial shortfalls, and (3) a looming teacher shortage. Independently, these factors present significant challenges for U.S. schools. In combination, they create a national imperative for swift action to create a more innovative, effective, and efficient education system.
Every day, creative educators are using technology better to meet the needs of students and teachers. Technology can no longer be considered an “add-on” tool in education but rather one that is integral. Embracing online-learning opportunities for students and teachers will strengthen the supply and quality of teachers, improve efficiency, and increase students’ college and career readiness.
The Alliance for Excellent Education (the Alliance) recently published two documents to help education leaders and policymakers understand these issues better. “The Online Learning Imperative: A Solution to Three Looming Crises in Education” is a brief that describes the three crises confronting the nation and suggests ways that online learning can lead the U.S. education system out of them. The “Online Learning: Addressing Challenges and Seizing Opportunities” state profiles present state-specific information about the three crises in each state, online-learning opportunities in that state, the presence of state policies that support online learning, and how federal policy supports online learning in that state.
On July 8, 2010, the Alliance will host a webinar to release these publications and facilitate a conversation among experts using questions submitted by participants from the around the country. Following the webinar, panelists will participate in a live online chat.
Questions concerning the webinar should be directed to all4ed@all4ed.org.
* NCAA interpretation of “nontraditional coursework” may impact credit flexibility
Posted on Monday 14th June 2010, 1:55pm by Lauren Angelone
Superintendent Delisle put this information in her EdConnection newsletter on June 7, 2010:
Recent information sent to schools from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center regarding prospective Division I student-athletes and coursework taken in nontraditional classroom settings may impact school district credit flexibility plans. The NCAA guidance applies to all student-athletes entering a Division I NCAA college or university on or after Aug. 1.
Specifically, schools are advised to counsel prospective Division I student-athletes not to use the “test-out option” of credit flexibility. They also should advise students that any coursework earned via credit flexibility needs to be comparable in length, content and rigor to credits earned in a traditional classroom setting. The course also must be four-year college-preparatory in nature and have a defined time period for completion.
Although, in general, ODE recommends that districts list “credit flexibility” credits on student transcripts in the same manner as credits earned via traditional classroom settings, the NCAA requires that any credits earned through nontraditional ways (e.g., distance learning, online, credit recovery) must be so designated on the transcripts of potential Division I student athletes. Schools should note on student transcripts submitted to the NCAA for review which course credits were earned through nontraditional ways, or attach an addendum with the explanation. The designation of credits on the transcript applies only for NCAA purposes. If in doubt, contact the NCAA Eligibility Center for specific advice on this issue.
* Credit Flexibility Waiver
Posted on Monday 14th June 2010, 1:52pm by Lauren Angelone
Ohio has allowed for a waiver for the 2010-2011 year.
Information on the website includes:
- Program Overview**
- Credit Flexibility Application**
- FAQ: Questions & Answers**
- CCS Course Descriptions**
- Columbus Virtual HS
(**Available in PDF form at http://sharedwork.org/16798/files/1809)
Visit the Columbus City Schools website [http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/website.nsf/(ccs_pages)/ParentsAndStudents?opendocument]
to learn more and to get ideas on the type of information and resources your school or district may want to provide.
If you have a Promising Practice to share, post links to your information under the “Share Promising Practices” discussion (http://sharedwork.org/16798/weblog/574.html) or upload your examples in the Files section.