In my EDU 653, each week we are posed a question, assigned a
side to argue for and work with others through the class wiki to write a
coherent essay supporting our side of the question. We also read a
point/counter point article to provide us with a basis for our side of the
question. This week’s question was “Should public schools be required to offer
an online K-12 curriculum?” My group was
assigned to argue “No they should not.” In the article, Tom Layton contends that
while schools should give students an opportunity to take classes not available
in their district, public schoool districts should not be required by law to
create k-12 virtual schools. Legislating such a requirement would be just
another unfunded mandate. I agree with
Mr. Layton that schools should not be required to create virtual schools,
however I disagree with the at least two arguments he presents to support his
position. To quote Mr. Layton “I doubt that there is any public school district
in the nation that can afford to spend the millions of dollars it takes to create a K-12 online school.” I
know this not true since I live in a school district that created and operates a
K-12 virtual academy . The district’s
operating budget has actually profited from the creation of the virtual academy
as it has attracted students, such as those who were home schooled and not previously
enrolled in the district, bringing their tax dollars with them. So funded or
not, it is possible for a district to create k-12 virtual school.
I also disagree with Mr. Layton’s contention that “school
districts simply do not work and play
well with others.” My district is currently cooperating with
another district to expand an alternative education program. I just read an article about a school
district in a small farming community working with a district in a small
college town to provide opportunities for students from both districts. I am
sure there are many more stories about districts working together to provide
their students opportunities unavailable without such cooperation. If districts
could work together in these endeavors, school districts could also work
together to create virtual schools.
Layton, T. (2009) "Should Public Schools be Required to Offer Online K-12 Education?" Learning & Leading with Technology. Retrieved May 18, 2014 from https://blackboard.cmich.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2873817-dt-content-rid-26864425_1/courses/EDU653-14700-22247012/onlineeducation.pdf
Layton, T. (2009) "Should Public Schools be Required to Offer Online K-12 Education?" Learning & Leading with Technology. Retrieved May 18, 2014 from https://blackboard.cmich.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2873817-dt-content-rid-26864425_1/courses/EDU653-14700-22247012/onlineeducation.pdf
I also agree that all schools should not be required to offer online education.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is awesome that your district is working with another district for your online education system. I think that there are many districts out there that do not want to collaborate with other districts for a variety of reasons. As the state continues to push for growth and high test scores, I think that districts want to make sure that they are competing with the best as opposed to working together to create many successful districts. I think that it would be beneficial if districts could work together to be productive in the education of their students. Kuddos to your district!! I think that is a step in the right direction to providing our students with the best education that we can give them.
I had to argue on the other side of the fence on this issue, which I was happy to do because I think online education is amazing. However, I also do not think schools should be required to have an online component to their school. If parents want their child to have access to an online school, they can register their child at a school that offers online school. Families send their students to "school of choice" schools for various reasons, including availability of sports, advanced classes, or orchestra programs. When programs like these are that important to families, they choose a school that has them and drive their children the extra distance. We don't "require" all schools to have sports, advanced classes, and orchestras. It is the same with an online program, except finding a school with an online curriculum is even easier, since it doesn't involve any long distance driving.
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