Boston Globe columnist Jim Stergios is on a tear. If he has it his way, he will push Massachusetts into the 21st century when it comes to virtual education.
A few weeks ago, Stergios wrote a column in which he talked about the good news and the bad news in Massachusetts education.
"The good news for Massachusetts is that last January the state passed a law to double the number of charter schools. Further good news is that students in our charters consistently do better than their district peers; in other states that level of consistency is not always the rule.," Stergios wrote.
"The bad news for Massachusetts is that states like Florida, Colorado, Michigan, Arizona and so many others are pushing forward with digital learning much faster than the Bay State is."
Stergios has written another column about online learning. This one is called "Virtually There."
"If Massachusetts has because of lack of leadership within the Board and the Department of Education, ground to a halt on digital learning, other states are moving fast, he wrote in the latest column.
"Virtually, Massachusetts is way behind states across the country – places not known for as sustained and comprehensive a commitment to reform as the Bay State," he added.
Click here to read his complete post.
Showing posts with label Massachusetts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Massachusetts. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Guest Commentary: The Boston Globe Rocks the Virtual Schoolhouse
Jim Stergios is a Boston Globe columnist who writes about leadership, education and the future of America.
In a recent column, he talked about "the good news" and "the bad news" happening in Massachusetts public education.
"The good news for Massachusetts is that last January the state passed a law to double the number of charter schools. Further good news is that students in our charters consistently do better than their district peers; in other states that level of consistency is not always the rule.," Stergios wrote.
"The bad news for Massachusetts is that states like Florida, Colorado, Michigan, Arizona and so many others are pushing forward with digital learning much faster than the Bay State is. In fact, the education bureaucracy is putting some of the strictest limits in the country on expanding digital learning. That may seem odd in a state better known than most for developing and leveraging technology," he added.
Stergios goes on to describe the ongoing fight in Massachusetts to expand K-12 online learning in the state.
Click here to read his complete post and find out why he believes the state's "Department of Education that has wasted 18 months dithering and, in fact, choosing most every opportunity to choose regulatory options that are the polar opposite of what experts recommend in order to ensure accountability to the public and to ensure high-quality options for students."
In a recent column, he talked about "the good news" and "the bad news" happening in Massachusetts public education.
"The good news for Massachusetts is that last January the state passed a law to double the number of charter schools. Further good news is that students in our charters consistently do better than their district peers; in other states that level of consistency is not always the rule.," Stergios wrote.
"The bad news for Massachusetts is that states like Florida, Colorado, Michigan, Arizona and so many others are pushing forward with digital learning much faster than the Bay State is. In fact, the education bureaucracy is putting some of the strictest limits in the country on expanding digital learning. That may seem odd in a state better known than most for developing and leveraging technology," he added.
Stergios goes on to describe the ongoing fight in Massachusetts to expand K-12 online learning in the state.
Click here to read his complete post and find out why he believes the state's "Department of Education that has wasted 18 months dithering and, in fact, choosing most every opportunity to choose regulatory options that are the polar opposite of what experts recommend in order to ensure accountability to the public and to ensure high-quality options for students."
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Guest Commentary: Massachusetts should be pioneering online education, not restricting it
Recent headlines in the Massachusetts news media hailed the arrival of the state's first statewide virtual school, the Massachusetts Virtual Academy. The school offers classes to students from throughout the state.
While the news stories make the opening of the school seem easy, the back story reveals a different tale.
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education issued ruling after ruling that have placed hurdles in front of the creation of this virtual school. The rulings may also serve as a warning to others that, at least in Massachusetts, online education in not an education reform route to take.
Two Massachusetts state representatives--Marty Walz and Will Brownsberger--wrote an opinion article for the Boston Globe in which they detail how their state can--and should--become a leader in the virtual education movement.
"In a state where digital pioneers flourished, the educational system should catch up to the students," the representative write.
Click here to read the complete article.
While the news stories make the opening of the school seem easy, the back story reveals a different tale.
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education issued ruling after ruling that have placed hurdles in front of the creation of this virtual school. The rulings may also serve as a warning to others that, at least in Massachusetts, online education in not an education reform route to take.
Two Massachusetts state representatives--Marty Walz and Will Brownsberger--wrote an opinion article for the Boston Globe in which they detail how their state can--and should--become a leader in the virtual education movement.
"In a state where digital pioneers flourished, the educational system should catch up to the students," the representative write.
Click here to read the complete article.
Monday, August 16, 2010
My Virtual Schools Op-ed that was Banned in Boston
A few weeks ago, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education established a series of restrictions that are sure to slow the growth of any virtual schools that open in that state.
The board voted to cap enrollment of online schools at 500 students. It also requires that 25 percent of the online school's students live in the district operating the school.
I wrote an op-ed about this misguided decision and submitted it to the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. Neither paper chose to publish it.
Here is a link to the article. Read it and tell me what you think. Let me know why you think the Globe and the Herald were afraid to publish this.
The board voted to cap enrollment of online schools at 500 students. It also requires that 25 percent of the online school's students live in the district operating the school.
I wrote an op-ed about this misguided decision and submitted it to the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. Neither paper chose to publish it.
Here is a link to the article. Read it and tell me what you think. Let me know why you think the Globe and the Herald were afraid to publish this.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Guest Commentary: Putting Virtue into Virtual School
Jim Stergios blogs on all things education for Boston.com in the "Rocking the Schoolhouse" blog.
Right now he's on the frontlines watching Massachusetts grapple with finding ways to fully fund what may be the state's first state-led virtual school, the Massachusetts Virtual Academy at Greenfield. The school is scheduled to open this fall.
He also has some strong words about restrictions a state education board placed on the virtual school's enrollment.
Stergios believes the Massachusetts bureaucracy needs to "stop protecting the status quo" and start seeing the virtue in virtual schools. Click here to read his post.
Right now he's on the frontlines watching Massachusetts grapple with finding ways to fully fund what may be the state's first state-led virtual school, the Massachusetts Virtual Academy at Greenfield. The school is scheduled to open this fall.
He also has some strong words about restrictions a state education board placed on the virtual school's enrollment.
Stergios believes the Massachusetts bureaucracy needs to "stop protecting the status quo" and start seeing the virtue in virtual schools. Click here to read his post.
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