iNACOL State Policy Report Highlights 5 Critical Issues Necessary to Transform K-12 Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2014

iNACOL State Policy Report Highlights 5 Critical Issues Necessary to Transform K-12 Education

The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) has published a State Policy Frameworks report with policy recommendations and guidance necessary for the continued transformation of America’s K-12 public education system. The iNACOL State Policy Frameworks highlight policies states must address to close opportunity and achievement gaps through personalized instruction for each student and offer timely recommendations as state legislatures begin to formulate policy priorities in advance of the new sessions. Removing policy barriers and advancing innovation through competency education will help to ensure teaching and learning are built on a foundation of true mastery, prepare more students for college and career, and reduce inequities in our education system.

“Over the last decade, our education system has seen unprecedented transformation of teaching and learning as educators have harnessed the power of leveraging technologies to help teachers personalize instruction for students in new learning models,” said Susan Patrick, President and CEO of iNACOL. “The next few years hold great potential to continue this incredible progress in customizing learning, but only if state leaders continue to ensure that students have access to a wide range of opportunity across learning environments.”

iNACOL’s policy brief provides concrete, actionable recommendations for state policymakers around five key issues. Taken as a whole, the recommendations present a framework for sustainable, systemic change.

• Create Competency-Based Education Systems
• Improve Student Access and Equity
• Measure and Assure Quality from Inputs to Outcomes
• Support Innovative Educators
• Support New Learning Models through Connectivity, Data Systems, and Security

“We present these recommendations with the understanding that each state starts from a different place, with its own unique context,” said Maria Worthen, iNACOL’s Vice President for Federal and State Policy. “This shift, however, cannot be sustained without changes in state policies across the country. Laws, rules, and regulations written in the analog era must be adapted to support new digital learning models.”

To download a copy of the iNACOL State Policy Frameworks: 5 Critical Issues to Transform K-12 Education. please visit https://www.inacol.org/resource/the-inacol-state-policy-frameworks-5-critical-issues-to-transform-k-12-education/

About iNACOL

The mission of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is to ensure all students have access to a world-class education and quality blended and online learning opportunities that prepare them for a lifetime of success. iNACOL is a non-profit organization focused on research; developing policy for student-centered education to ensure equity and access; developing quality standards for emerging learning models using online, blended, and competency-based education; and supporting the ongoing professional development of classroom, school, district and state leaders for new learning models.