While educators say blends of traditional and virtual learning are ideal, all-virtual classes could create an opening for strapped states to save money by slashing the ranks of teachers they employ in traditional classrooms. “If the same virtual lesson recorded in Seattle can educate 8,000 kids in Ohio, how many teachers might not be needed that Ohio has historically employed?” Finn asks.

Taylor, of the teachers’ union, is concerned about budget cuts with the coming changes in Ohio. “There may be a few districts that are financially strapped in this climate who may see [credit flexibility] as a chance to see budget slashing, but if they do, obviously it’s going to be done to the detriment of effective student learning,” she warns. On the contrary, she thinks districts should hire more teachers, with some taking on more supervisory and advisory roles in overseeing credit-flexibility experiences. “If a teacher has 125 students in a day, it’s not going to be feasible for [him] to help to design and work with each and every student,” she says.

For the rest of the article, go to States Experiment With Out-of-Classroom Learning

Beginning this year, Oak Hills’ students will be moving toward the next decade in three areas:

• Virtual learning opportunities using personal laptops and other technological devices.
• Capstone activities and projects that culminate students’ high school learning experiences.
• Flexible credit options, which provide alternate ways for high school students to earn credit outside the classroom.

The result will be students graduating from Oak Hills prepared to stand above the competition by having more marketable skills for future educational and career experiences.

Hayes Ryland, an Oak Hills senior, attended the 2020 engagement and a similar session on technology in the district. He is eager to take advantage of the new opportunities he and Oak Hills classmates will have in the upcoming school year.

For the rest of the article, go to 2020 vision helping Oak Hills move toward future