Classroom Technology

Increased Accountability for Colo. Online Schools?

By Katie Ash — March 08, 2012 1 min read
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Some lawmakers in Colorado are looking into increased accountability measures for online schools in that state, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Sen. Pat Steadman, for instance, says he hopes to sponsor a bill that would give “more teeth” to the Unit of Online Learning office in the state department of education. The office now requires that online schools provide reports on “annual budgeting and finance practices” as well as “staff development plans” but does not provide any other specifics about what those reports should include.

A bill currently in the legislature would require the education department to take a closer look at accountability measures in relation to online schools, to determine whether they are sufficient. The bill has been passed by the House but awaits approval from the Senate, the article says.

This focus was spurred by a 2010 report from the state department of education that found low test scores for online students, as well as high dropout rates, says the article. However, student enrollment in online courses has continued to grow, increasing by 12 percent from 2008 to 2009.

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A version of this news article first appeared in the Digital Education blog.