Technology

How Can States Increase Their College Attendance Rates?

The United States used to lead the world in adult postsecondary attainment, but has gradually slipped to 12th. To help the U.S. regain its former position as a world leader in adult postsecondary attainment rates, many states have set aggressive postsecondary completion or attainment goals over the past several years. To achieve these goals, states are adding a variety of ingredients into the recipe to get more youth and adults into and through postsecondary programs. But notably absent from the “cookbook” in most states are dedicated efforts to improve secondary students’ access to high-quality college counseling. A December, 2014 report from the Education Commission of the States (ECS) identifies state approaches that may not reap the hoped-for gains in college-going and highlights recent research pointing to new, successful approaches to increase college-going rates – and a few states implementing promising efforts.

New REL Midwest Report Highlights Online Course Use in Iowa and Wisconsin

The use of online courses has grown rapidly over the past decade and is projected to increase, yet few states or districts collect data about how and why schools enroll students in online courses. Accurately capturing student participation is complicated by the variety of ways that schools use online learning. As online learning grows exponentially, we need more information about how schools are using it to inform policy and best practice.

Beyond School: Earning Credit for Real-World Experiences

On December 16th, Education Week hosted a Webinar entitled “Beyond School: Earning Credit for Real-World Experiences.” This Webinar discusses an extended learning opportunity (ELO) initiative involving Providence, Rhode Island school district and its nonprofit partner Providence After School Alliance (PASA). In selected high schools throughout the district, students participate in community programs for digital badges and course credit.

New CCRS Center Brief: Understanding Accelerated Learning Across Secondary and Postsecondary Education

This month the College and Career Readiness and Success Center (CCRS Center) released a brief titled Understanding Accelerated Learning Across Secondary and Postsecondary Education. Prepared by the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), the brief catalogs and articulates accelerated learning options across and within secondary and postsecondary education.

How Businesses Can Help Create Digital Learning Opportunities

On January 14, 2013, the Alliance for Excellent Education hosted The Role of Business LeadersExpanding Learning Opportunities Through Digital Learning, a Webinar focused on how businesses can assist schools in increasing digital learning opportunities for students. Panelists for the event included Steve Andrews, U.S.

A Lesson in Blended Learning: Carpe Diem Collegiate High School

Carpe Diem Schools is a public school system in Arizona serving students both online and in person. Carpe Diem Collegiate High School and Middle School was founded in 2002 and began implementing its blended learning model in the 2005-2006 school year. Today, the High School serves approximately 160 students, both online and in person.

State Spotlight: Clinton Innovation Classroom First of Its Kind in Iowa

Clinton High School (CHS), in Iowa, will be debuting its new innovation classroom in the spring of 2013. The school’s principal, Karinne Tharaldson Jones, describes the classroom as 21st-Century skills-based, providing students with increased opportunities for collaboration - a skill highly sought out by colleges and employers.

Kentucky’s Technology Platform: Integrating Instructional Delivery and Teacher Development

In these difficult financial times, finding low- or no-cost ways of providing quality professional learning experiences for educators remains a challenge for departments of education and the school districts they help support. One solution increasingly embraced is technology-based professional learning.

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