Virtual K-12 Learning: New Learning Frontiers for State Education Agencies

• Published in: Peabody journal of education Vol. 87; no. 5; pp. 535 - 558
• Main Authors: Natale, Catherine Fisk, Cook, Janet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis Group 01.11.2012; Taylor and Francis Group; Routledge; Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Access to Education; Alabama; Blended learning; Charter schools; Corporations, Nonprofit; Delivery Systems; Distance education; Education; Educational Development; Educational History; Educational Opportunities; Electronic Learning; Elementary Secondary Education; Florida; Full time students; Funding; Government Agencies; Government Role; Governors; Idaho; Institutional Role; Internet; Interviews; Jurisdiction; Kindergarten; Kindergartens; Learning; Nonprofit Organizations; Online Courses; Online instruction; Online learning; Performance Factors; Program Descriptions; Public schools; Regulatory agencies; Roles; Secondary schools; State Agencies; State Departments of Education; State Policy; State Role; State Surveys; States; Teachers; Virtual Classrooms; Alabama; Florida; Idaho; United States > US
• ISSN: 0161-956X; 1532-7930
• DOI: 10.1080/0161956X.2012.723491

This article explores the role of state education agencies in three states that have embarked on ambitious kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) virtual learning initiatives: Alabama, Florida, and Idaho. Subject to a rapidly changing environment influenced by factors beyond the jurisdiction of many state departments of education, the world of virtual K-12 education is relatively unregulated and fluid. Case studies describing the virtual learning initiatives of several states suggest that few, if any, state education agencies are currently equipped to regulate the rapidly growing number of independent for-profit and nonprofit organizations delivering online learning options.