So…You Want to Start an Online

School Program?

• Rob Darrow, Ed.D.Rob Darrow, Ed.D.•Principal, Clovis Online SchoolPrincipal, Clovis Online School

www.ClovisOnlineSchool.comBlog: Clovisonlineschool.wordpress.com

Stanislaus County Office Online Learning Symposium, June 2010

A Little About YouA Little About You

Teachers?Teachers? Administrators?Administrators? Have taught an online course?Have taught an online course? Are working in an online school or Are working in an online school or

providing online school services?providing online school services? How many are hoping to launch some How many are hoping to launch some

type of online learning program in the type of online learning program in the next year?next year?

A Little About MeA Little About Me

Clovis, CA – Central CaliforniaClovis, CA – Central California 20 year old daughter – Junior, Cal Poly20 year old daughter – Junior, Cal Poly Educator, 30 years (Grades K-8)Educator, 30 years (Grades K-8) Teacher-Librarian and Coordinator, Teacher-Librarian and Coordinator,

School LibrariesSchool Libraries Project Director, Teaching American Project Director, Teaching American

History GrantHistory Grant Doctorate Completed at CSU FresnoDoctorate Completed at CSU Fresno

Topic: Online learning, charter schools and Topic: Online learning, charter schools and at-risk studentsat-risk students

My Daughter My Daughter The Digital NativeThe Digital Native

Raising kids and raising an online school is similar

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Components of Online LearningComponents of Online Learning The Cost ChallengesThe Cost Challenges Clovis Online School ExperiencesClovis Online School Experiences Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers Lunch: “Table top conversation”Lunch: “Table top conversation”

Time to WorkTime to Work

HandoutsHandouts Back to back – Resource ListBack to back – Resource List One page – Online School Decision ChartOne page – Online School Decision Chart

Online School Online School Decision ChartDecision Chart

5 minute Strategic Plan5 minute Strategic Plan Work with othersWork with others Include the costsInclude the costs Let’s do a few togetherLet’s do a few together

Type of Online SchoolType of Online School Operational ControlOperational Control Skip down to “Students”Skip down to “Students”

Complete the chartComplete the chart

ResultsResults

DiscussionDiscussion

A Little Background About A Little Background About Online LearningOnline Learning

Online Learning has increased at Online Learning has increased at every level in every way – every level in every way – K-12, community college, K-12, community college, four-year colleges, public, private, four-year colleges, public, private, adult education in the past 10 adult education in the past 10 years.years.

Number of schoolsNumber of schools Number of coursesNumber of courses Number of studentsNumber of students

College EnrollmentCollege Enrollment Growing more than 10% a yearGrowing more than 10% a year Most growth at 2-year institutions (Parsad, Most growth at 2-year institutions (Parsad,

2008. NCES)2008. NCES) 66% of all colleges offered online courses in 66% of all colleges offered online courses in

the 2006-2007 school yearthe 2006-2007 school year Over 3.9 million students were taking at least Over 3.9 million students were taking at least

one online course during the fall 2007one online course during the fall 2007 20% of all U.S. higher education students 20% of all U.S. higher education students

were taking at least one online course in the were taking at least one online course in the fall of 2007. (Allen, 2008)fall of 2007. (Allen, 2008)

Allen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2008). Staying the course: Online education in the United States 2008. Wellesley, MA: Sloan Consortium.Parsad, B., & Lewis, L. (2008). ED. Distance education at degree-granting postsecondary institutions: 2006–07. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, US Department of Education.

Online Course DefinitionsOnline Course DefinitionsAllen & Seaman, 2007Allen & Seaman, 2007

K-12 Online K-12 Online Enrollment – U.S.Enrollment – U.S.

1,030,0001,030,000 K-12 students in 2007-2008.K-12 students in 2007-2008. Represents a Represents a 47% 47% increase since 2005-2006. increase since 2005-2006. 63% 63% of public school districts in the U.S. had of public school districts in the U.S. had

at least one student enrolled in either a fully at least one student enrolled in either a fully online or blended courseonline or blended course

A sample of K-12 OL growth across the U.S….A sample of K-12 OL growth across the U.S….

Picciano, A., & Seaman, J. (2008). K–12 online learning: A 2008 follow-up of the survey of U.S. school district administrators. Sloan Consortium, Olin and Babson Colleges.

State/organization Full-time or

supplemental

2007-2008

enrollment

2008-2009

enrollment

Annual

increase

Florida Virtual School Supplemental 120,000 154,125 25%

Idaho Digital Learning

Academy

Supplemental 6,619 9,646 46%

Alabama ACCESS Supplemental 18,955 28,014 48%

Michigan Virtual School Supplemental 11,000 16,000 45%

Minnesota (state) Both 23,722 28,332 19%

Colorado (state) Full-time 9,238 11,641 26%

Ohio (state) Full-time 24,011 27,037 13%

Arizona (state) Both 15,000 23,000 24%

Connections Academy

(across U.S.)

Full-time

charter

13,000 20,000 54%

K12, Inc.

(across U.S.)

Full-time

charter

39,500 56,000 42%

Watson et al, Keeping Pace. http://www.kpk12.com/

California K-12 Online California K-12 Online Charter EnrollmentCharter Enrollment

40% Increase

101% Increase

85% Increase

CBEDS Data from Online Charter Schools Darrow Dissertation, 2010

Clayton Christensen, Clayton Christensen, Michael Horn, and Curtis Michael Horn, and Curtis

Johnson (2008).Johnson (2008).Disrupting Class.Disrupting Class.

““By By 20192019, 50% of , 50% of courses taken by courses taken by

high school students high school students

will be will be onlineonline.”.”

A Tipping PointA Tipping Point

Online learning has reached a Online learning has reached a “tipping point”“tipping point” Like the Internet, it’s not going awayLike the Internet, it’s not going away

The question is no longer “what”, The question is no longer “what”, but “when”but “when”

The bigger question: can we The bigger question: can we collaborate rather than compete?collaborate rather than compete?

California Finance:California Finance:How public schools How public schools

are fundedare funded

1 student in school 1 day = 1 ADA 1 student in school 1 day = 1 ADA (or FTE). (or FTE).

Cannot split ADA (unless district Cannot split ADA (unless district chooses to do so)chooses to do so)

ADA Amount for each district ADA Amount for each district different based on different based on Proposition 13 formulaProposition 13 formula

Ranges from $5,000 - $7,000Ranges from $5,000 - $7,000

California School California School Finance ModelsFinance Models

ADAADA (“seat time” - 240 (“seat time” - 240 minutes each day) minutes each day)

Independent StudyIndependent Study (student (student gets hours based on work gets hours based on work and physically meets a and physically meets a teacher once a week). teacher once a week).

CharterCharter

1 student in school 1 day = 1 ADA1 student in school 1 day = 1 ADA

California FinanceCalifornia FinanceADA DifferencesADA Differences

Per student, per yearPer student, per year

Clovis USD–Clovis USD– $5,700$5,700 Sierra USD- Sierra USD- $8,100$8,100 Modesto USD Modesto USD - $6200- $6200 Empire USD Empire USD - $5800- $5800 Stockton USD Stockton USD - $5700- $5700

Let’s set up a sample Let’s set up a sample online programonline program

An example:An example: Using a content provider for content Using a content provider for content

and for teachersand for teachers

Sample District - RevenueSample District - Revenue

30 students - ADA30 students - ADA

30 students X $5900 = 30 students X $5900 = $177,000$177,000 per year. per year.

Special program funding - $650 Special program funding - $650 per student (or another $20,000)per student (or another $20,000)

Total Income: Total Income: $197,000$197,000. . Round up to Round up to $200,000$200,000

Personnel CostsPersonnel Costs

Principal/Administrator – Part Principal/Administrator – Part timetime

Secretary/lab aide (full time)Secretary/lab aide (full time) CustodialCustodial Total Personnel Cost: Total Personnel Cost: $150,000 $150,000

Computer LabComputer Labfor Students to Workfor Students to Work

Cost for Cost for hardware (20): hardware (20): $40,000$40,000

Does not include network/Internet access cost

Course Content Course Content and Teachersand Teachers

Provided by a Content Provider: Provided by a Content Provider: Cost: Cost: $400 $400 per student per course.per student per course.

5 courses per student.5 courses per student. $400 X 30 students X 5 courses = $400 X 30 students X 5 courses =

$60,000.$60,000.

Income and ExpensesIncome and Expenses Income from ADA: Income from ADA: $200,000$200,000 Expenses: Expenses:

Personnel: $150,000Personnel: $150,000 Equipment: $40,000Equipment: $40,000 Content and Teachers: $60,000Content and Teachers: $60,000 Supplies: $5,000Supplies: $5,000

Total Expenses = Total Expenses = $255,000$255,000 Result: Result: ($55,000)($55,000) If…

Clovis Online SchoolClovis Online SchoolA charter…why?A charter…why?

Two year process to decideTwo year process to decide Clovis USD ADA = $5700Clovis USD ADA = $5700 Charter School ADA = $6500Charter School ADA = $6500 Fresno County HS Dropouts = 4,000Fresno County HS Dropouts = 4,000 More and more students choosing chartersMore and more students choosing charters The millennial generation demands The millennial generation demands

technology for learning and wants technology for learning and wants alternatives to traditional schoolingalternatives to traditional schooling

Wrote a charter in May 2008Wrote a charter in May 2008

Reflections about the first Reflections about the first year of the year of the

Clovis Online SchoolClovis Online School Full time diploma granting online Full time diploma granting online

charter schoolcharter school Opened Aug. 2009 for 9Opened Aug. 2009 for 9thth-10-10thth

Now registering Grades 9-12Now registering Grades 9-12 Currently 80 studentsCurrently 80 students From various school districts in Fresno From various school districts in Fresno

County (Furthest lives about two hours)County (Furthest lives about two hours)

About our studentsAbout our students

All going to college or All going to college or the world of workthe world of work

Want alternatives to Want alternatives to traditional schooltraditional school

Some were suspended Some were suspended or expelledor expelled

Want flexibility of timeWant flexibility of time

50/5050/50 99thth/10/10thth

Male/FemaleMale/Female Complete work/don’t complete workComplete work/don’t complete work Students with positive school Students with positive school

experiences vs. negative school experiences vs. negative school experiencesexperiences

About our staffAbout our staff Three full time staffThree full time staff

Principal, Multimedia Specialist, Principal, Multimedia Specialist, Administrative SecretaryAdministrative Secretary

16 part time innovative and 16 part time innovative and passionate teacherspassionate teachers

Enrollment ProcessEnrollment Process

1. Student completes online activities1. Student completes online activities 2. Student/parent interviews with principal2. Student/parent interviews with principal

Student strengths/abilitiesStudent strengths/abilities Why they want to joinWhy they want to join 80% student directed80% student directed Student choiceStudent choice

3. Test online environment 3. Test online environment Student chooses to joinStudent chooses to join

4. Formal enrollment4. Formal enrollment

Technologies UsedTechnologies Used

Low CostLow Cost MoodleMoodle WikiWiki BlogBlog NingNing Teacher created Teacher created

contentcontent Windows Live Windows Live

(Email and IM)(Email and IM)

CostCost ElluminateElluminate QuiaQuia ALEKS (math ALEKS (math

learning program)learning program)

The Harsh RealityThe Harsh Reality

80 students, but only received 40 ADA80 students, but only received 40 ADA Online learning is 80% student Online learning is 80% student

directed (vs. face-to-face learning directed (vs. face-to-face learning which is 80% teacher directed)which is 80% teacher directed)

Teacher transformation in thinkingTeacher transformation in thinking Balance between cost and revenueBalance between cost and revenue Some online charter schools: top Some online charter schools: top

teacher salary is $30,000 full timeteacher salary is $30,000 full time

Clovis Online SchoolClovis Online SchoolPurpose and MissionPurpose and Mission

Our PurposeOur Purpose To provide students of Central California with an engaging and To provide students of Central California with an engaging and

comprehensive online course delivery system that prepares them comprehensive online course delivery system that prepares them for college and the world of work.for college and the world of work.

Our BeliefsOur Beliefs The students, teachers, parents, administration and community of The students, teachers, parents, administration and community of

this school are a collaborative team of learners.this school are a collaborative team of learners.

Our DirectionOur Direction Let’s work together (Open source platform – Moodle; Open Let’s work together (Open source platform – Moodle; Open

educational resources developed; Open source online learning for educational resources developed; Open source online learning for all students in Central California)all students in Central California)

Book: Book: The World is OpenThe World is Open

““Anyone can Anyone can now learn now learn

anything from anything from anyone at anyone at anytime”anytime”

Curtis Bonk (2009)Curtis Bonk (2009)

Use of Use of Open Educational ResourcesOpen Educational Resources

- David Wiley- David Wiley

OERs = upfront investment, as OERs = upfront investment, as materials are discovered or createdmaterials are discovered or created

Investment can be similar to what Investment can be similar to what would normally be spent acquiring would normally be spent acquiring commercial materials. commercial materials.

But once the investment is made…But once the investment is made…

Once the investment in OERs Once the investment in OERs is made…is made…

Ongoing costs for curriculum can be Ongoing costs for curriculum can be significantly lower than traditional textbook significantly lower than traditional textbook replacement and other costs. replacement and other costs.

Due to the "open" nature of open Due to the "open" nature of open educational resourceseducational resources teachers can make revisions and improvements teachers can make revisions and improvements resulting in materials that are actually more resulting in materials that are actually more

effective than their more expensive commercial effective than their more expensive commercial counterpartscounterparts

The ChallengeThe Challenge

Shall we work together or separately?Shall we work together or separately? We have content you can use…and We have content you can use…and

knowledge knowledge Or do we expect every teacher to re-Or do we expect every teacher to re-

create their own content?create their own content? Or do we pay for online content Or do we pay for online content

providers year after year?providers year after year?

If you want to “do” If you want to “do” online learningonline learning

Learn about it for Learn about it for yourselfyourself first by... first by... Joining iNacolJoining iNacol

Virtual School Symposium Virtual School Symposium Nov 14-16, ArizonaNov 14-16, Arizona

Reading some blogs Reading some blogs Reading resource document and Reading resource document and

resourcesresources And…And…

Join Classroom 2.0Join Classroom 2.0www.classroom20.com

Weekly web Weekly web eventsevents

41,000 41,000 members members worldwideworldwide

Join E-Learning Sig:Join E-Learning Sig:“El Sig” via CUE“El Sig” via CUE

http://elsighome.ning.com

Online MeetingsOnline Meetings Second Tuesday Second Tuesday

of each monthof each month 75 Members75 Members California California

focusedfocused

Questions…Questions…Comments…Comments…

ThoughtsThoughts

www.ClovisOnlineSchool.comBlog: Clovisonlineschool.wordpress.com

Rob Darrow – Rob Darrow – robdarrow [at] cusd.com