The Online Revolution Comes to Public Education

[Valin]

Via Meadia:

Walter Russell Mead

7/9/12

 

Joe Klein, in a recent column about his visit with student leaders in Indiana, briefly touched on the potential of online education at the high school level. Interviewing a group of impressive students at the Girls State leadership program, Klein heard firsthand their enthusiasm for online courses:

 

(Snip)

 

Texas, where a lot of local high schools struggle to offer a broad range of courses, is experimenting with online programs. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:

 

(Snip)

 

If online education can really be made to work in secondary school, the shift away from big box high schools and centralized school districts is likely to pick up steam. In practical terms, it will mean that smaller schools can offer a more diverse curriculum (Mandarin classes in small town schools, art and music classes without the expense in every school of full time faculty and so on).

 

America has the chance to build school systems that slash bureaucratic overhead and red tape while giving teachers more autonomy and parents and students more choice. Online instruction is a big part of making that happen; congratulations to all the students, parents, teachers and administrators brave enough to give this a try.

[clearvision]

Nice but will the unions let it happen?

[Valin]

Nice but will the unions let it happen?

 

If I am correct that we are in the middle of major historical changes, what the unions want is irrelevant.