The Online Learning Imperative and an Update on the Digital Learning Council

Bob Wise, PresidentAlliance for Excellent Education

November 16, 2010

Challenges in America’s K-12 Education System

Three Looming Crises:

1. Declining State Fiscal Revenues

2. Mounting Teacher Shortages

3. Increased Global Demands for Skilled Workers

Challenge 1. Declining State Fiscal Revenues…

Source: Boyd, Donald J. What Will Happen to State Budgets When the Money Runs Out? Issue brief. The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, 19 Feb. 2009. Web. 1 Oct. 2009. <http://www.rockinst.org/pdf/government_finance/2009-02-19-What_Will_Happen_to.pdf>.

-8.00%

-6.00%

-4.00%

-2.00%

0.00%

2.00%

4.00%

State BudgetsState Budgets with Federal Stimulus FundsProjected State Budgets without Federal Stimulus Funds

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

In FY2009, general fund expenditures were $657.9 billion.

In FY 2010, general fund expenditures were $612.9 billion.

The Fiscal Survey of the States, June 2010; National Association of State Budget Officers and the National Governors Association.

States Have Drastically Reduced Spending

Example: Online Learning in Wisconsin

Per Pupil Cost of Schooling

Traditional System: National Average =

$10,000

Wisconsin's Virtual System =

$6,500

Challenge 2: Mounting Teacher Shortages

Number of Teachers Eligible to Retire in the Next 5-7 Years

Eligible to Retire

1/3

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics to 2017 (NCES 2008-078) (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, September 2008).

The nation faces a supply issue…

In 1987-88 the typical teacher had 15 years of

experience.

Challenge 2: Mounting Teacher Shortages…

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics to 2017 (NCES 2008-078) (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, September 2008); K. Smith, National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future. Presentation to Arkansas AACTE-NEA Meeting, May 14, 2009.

There is a significant drop in experience in the classroom.

By 2007-08 the typical teacher had just 1 to 2 years of experience. 

Challenge 2: Mounting Teacher Shortages…

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics to 2017 (NCES 2008-078) (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, September 2008); K. Smith, National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future. Presentation to Arkansas AACTE-NEA Meeting, May 14, 2009.

There is a significant drop in experience in the classroom.

…and Finding the Right Teachers

440 high schools88 qualified

physics teachers

Challenge 3: Increased Global Demands for Skilled Workers…

1960 1970 1980 1990 2002-10%

-5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

Abstract tasks

Routine tasks

Manual tasks

Per

cent

cha

nge

Tasks carried out by the American workforce 1960-2002

Source: Author, Levy, and Murnane 2003.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

32

10 11 10

40

34 30 28

12

810 12

9

19 21 23

7 10 11 10

1917 17

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, December 2009

There Is Growing Demand For An Increasingly Educated Workforce

Workforce job requirements, by education level

1973 1992 2007 2018

Graduate degree

Some college

HSdiploma

HS dropouts

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Opportunity…Provide Students With Access to Quality Learning

Personalize instruction and make it more

relevant

Improve access to courses that prepare students for college

• Launched in August 2010

• Co-chaired by former Governors Jeb Bush of Florida and Bob Wise of West Virginia

• Council’s goals are to identify and promote policies that promote technological innovations and spark transformational change in public education .

The Digital Learning Council

A diverse group of leaders representing:• Education• Government • Philanthropy • Technology• Business • Public Policy Think Tanks.

Who is the Digital Learning Council?

Council members have been regularly meeting online to

debate the best strategies for digital change in public

education.

The DLC is Setting the Example

• Online and virtual schools• Personalized learning• Blended learning• Social networking• The latest technological classroom tools• And many, many more.

Types of Digital Learning Being Discussed

• Access for all students• Funding of innovative technology• Encouraging high quality digital content

and instruction• Effectively utilizing providers• Promotion and giving students credit• The best ways to provide accountability

Issues the Council Will Promote

• On December 1, 2010 in Washington, DC

• Convened by Governor Jeb Bush and Governor Bob Wise

• Announce 10 elements to guide states on policies and best practices to promote high quality digital learning and turn educational challenges into opportunities.

UPCOMING SUMMIT

• Bold and transformational• Comprehensive by including all types of

digital learning• State-focused towards laws and policies at

that level that promote digital learning• The elements are all measurable• They form a long-term roadmap for states.

The Guiding Principles of the 10 Elements

Three out of every ten students do not graduate from high school.

The Challenge for the Nation

Source: EPE 2007; Greene 2002

About half of those who graduate are not college- and work-ready.

The Choice:

Be boldly innovative

Or badly irrelevant

Governor Bob Wise

Alliance for Excellent Educationwww.all4ed.org

Governor Jeb Bush

Foundation for Excellence in Education

www.excelined.org