1. New York’s State of Online Learning S/CDN Thursday, March 3, 2011 Office of Educational Design and Technology edtech@mail.nysed.gov

2. Lawrence M. Paska, Ph.D. Coordinator of Technology Policy Office of Educational Design and Technology New York State Education Department John Brock Associate in School Library Services Office of Educational Design and Technology New York State Education Department Office of Educational Design and Technology

3. Awarding Units of Credit for Online and Blended Courses The Commissioner of Education proposes to add a new section 100.5(d)(10) to the Commissioner's Regulations to establish criteria for earning credit for online or a combination of online and classroom-based (blended) coursework. Draft 100.5(d)(10) Regulations

4. Published to the State Register A Notice of Proposed Rule Making will be published in the State Register on March 2, 2011. It is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at their May 16-17, 2011 meeting.

5. How to Comment The text of the proposed amendment is included. Comments may be submitted to John B. King, Jr., Senior Deputy Commissioner of P- 12 Education, NYSEDP12@mail.nysed.govNYSEDP12@mail.nysed.gov Comments must be received by the State Education Department on or before April 18, 2011.

6. Policy Intent To provide guidance To offer new learning opportunities for students through online/blended instruction To provide a foundation for implementing and evaluating online and blended courses as alternative pathways for students

7. Statewide Survey: Online Learning Needs Assessment

8. What do you think?

9. Is the inclusion of online learning part of your school/district overall academic improvement plan?

10. Are students in your school/district taking online classes to earn course credit, test preparation, make up/credit recovery, or remediation?

11. Results of the Online Learning Needs Assessment The four most common reasons to use online learning: 1. Offer remediation or credit recovery courses 2. Provide expanded curriculum offerings 3. Address needs of homebound instruction 4. Increase graduation rates

12. Reasons for Student Enrollment For content remediation They were unsuccessful in traditional classroom environments To take courses not offered at their local school. To earn college credit in Advanced Placement (AP®) courses Due to course scheduling conflicts

13. Why Students Do Not Participate in Online Learning State regulations do not address online courses Students are unaware that online learning options exist Lack of funding to cover the cost of online learning

16. Does your district limit the number of courses a student can take online?

17. How do we formulate a game plan?

18. Regents’ Statewide Learning Technology Plan Goal # 4: Provide policies, standards, and guidance on quality digital content development and delivery; accessibility; information literacy; and ongoing, sustained professional development in pre-service and in-service education.

19. Regents’ Statewide Learning Technology Plan Goal # 7: Develop and/or revise Commissioner's Regulations and Department policies to promote sustained support for the delivery of quality instruction for all learners through digital means.

20. Regents’ Statewide Learning Technology Plan Goal # 9: Identify and/or develop incentives for the expansion of digital learning across USNY.

21. Regents’ Reform Agenda  Teacher Preparation & Effectiveness  Curriculum & Professional Development  Assessment  Transform the Field of School Leader Preparation  Early Childhood  Raise Graduation Rates for At-Risk Students  Replace Failing Schools  Build a P-20 data system  Transform NYSED

22. Current Regulations to Support Online Learning A minimum of 10.5 credits (out of 22 required) under Part 100.5(d), each limited in scope: Make Up Course Credit (allows additional credits) Independent Study (3 credits in electives only) X Credit by Examination (6.5 credits where student must score an 85 and complete an associated project) X marks the spot….

23. Solving for X … Updating the Board of Regents in policy and practice (December 2010 and January 2011) Determining next steps in policy and regulation (December 2010 and February 2011) Engaging the field through regional forums (starting early 2011) and continued communications (ongoing) Leveraging funding (starting with Race to the Top funding)

24. Next Steps for Online Learning Create the Environment Fill the Gaps Race to the Top Funding Sustainable Capacity

25. Credit for Online/Blended Courses Part 100.5(d)(10) Proposed regulations discussed by the Board of Regents (and revised for publication in the State Register, March 2, 2011): (i) To receive credit, the student shall successfully complete a unit of study and demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes for the subject, including passing the Regents examination in the subject or other assessment required for graduation, if applicable.

26. Credit for Online/Blended Courses Part 100.5(d)(10) (b)The school district, charter school or registered nonpublic school shall ensure that: (1) courses are aligned with the applicable New York State Learning Standards for the subject area; (2) courses provide for documentation of student mastery of the learning outcomes for such subjects, including passing the Regents examination in the subject or other assessment required for graduation, if applicable;

27. Credit for Online/Blended Courses Part 100.5(d)(10) (3) instruction is provided by or under the direction and/or supervision of: (i) a certified teacher from the school district; or (ii) a certified teacher from a board of cooperative educational services (BOCES) that contracts with the school district to provide instruction in the subject area where authorized pursuant to Education Law §1950; or (iii) a certified teacher from a school district who provides instruction in the subject area under a shared service agreement; or

28. Credit for Online/Blended Courses Part 100.5(d)(10) (4) in the case of a registered nonpublic school, a teacher of the subject area from a registered nonpublic school; or (5) in the case of a charter school, a teacher of the subject area from a charter school

29. Credit for Online/Blended Courses Part 100.5(d)(10) (4) courses include regular and substantive interaction between the student and the teacher providing direction and/or supervision pursuant to subclause (3) of this clause; and (5) instruction satisfies the unit of study and unit of credit requirements in section 100.1(a) and (b) of this Part

30. What is a unit of study and a unit of credit? 100.1 Definitions As used in this Part: a. Unit of study means at least 180 minutes of instruction per week throughout the school year, or the equivalent. b. Unit of credit is earned by: 1. the mastery of the learning outcomes set forth in a New York State- developed or locally developed syllabus for a given high school subject, after a student has had the opportunity to complete a unit of study in the given subject matter area; or 2. pursuant to section 100.5(d)(1) of this Part, a passing score of at least 85 percent or its equivalent on a department-approved examination in a given high school subject without the completion of a unit of study, and the successful completion of either an oral examination or a special project.

31. Issues to Consider  Course Alignment to NYS Learning Standards  Broadband Capacity and Access  Standards for Online Courses  iNACOL’s National Standards of Quality for Online Courses Content Instructional Design Student Assessment Technology Course Evaluation and Management 21st Century Skills

32. Contracts for Instruction The Department issued a July 29, 2009July 29, 2009 memorandummemorandum on contracts for instruction in which it stated that school districts cannot contract with private entities to deliver “core educational programming/instructional services” to students.

33. Contracts for Instruction Q: Can school districts contract with non profit or other entities to provide distance or online learning opportunities for students? A: Yes, provided that the distance or online learning program is used as a supplementary or additional resource to assist a district’s certified teachers in delivering instruction.

34. Timetable for Implementation  A Notice of Proposed Rule Making in the State Register no later than March 2, 2011  Anticipated proposed amendment submitted to BOR for approval in May 2011  Effective date of June 8, 2011  An implementation date of July 1, 2011

35. Some NYSED Recommendations for Teaching and Learning Online District-level committees to examine online learning policies Ensure adherence to principles of universal design Assess student needs and interests for online courses Assess online program availability compared to student need Create and adopt local district policy for online courses Provide professional development opportunities Develop a district process to evaluate online content Use common evaluation standards, like iNACOL and ISTE Communicate with parents on online learning Evaluate district-created and vendor-purchased content

36. Menu for S/CDN Discussion How do we build capacity for teachers? What is the current status of online and blended learning in districts and across regions? Can we developing possible tools for online and blended learning “regulatory compliance servicing”? Other questions or concerns?

37. Web Links and Resources National Education Technology Plan http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010 Regents’ Statewide Learning Technology Plan http://www.p12.nysed.gov/edtech NYS Online Learning Survey http://www.lhric.org/distance_ed.cfm?subpage=764 iNACOL (International Association for K-12 Online Learning) http://www.inacol.org

38. THANK YOU! Office of Educational Design and Technology Phone: (518) 474-5283 Fax: (518) 486-9070 E-Mail: edtech@mail.nysed.gov Web: www.p12.nysed.gov/technology