K–12 Online Learning and School Choice: Growth and Expansion in the Absence of Evidence

Authors

Michael K. Barbour, Sacred Heart UniversityFollow

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2017

Abstract

The use of online learning at the K-12 level has seen exponential growth for much of the past two decades. Based on the limited research to date some students can experience success in the supplemental K-12 online learning environment, but other types of K-12 online learning are largely failing adequately to serve students. While proponents will argue that all types of K-12 online learning are forms of school choice, it is primarily cyber charter schools and course choice policies that are reflective of the policies and regulations proponents of online learning promote—as cyber charter schools and course choice policies are designed to open up markets to K-12 online learning providers. Yet, proponents continue to advocate for decreasing the amount of oversight for K-12 online providers. The combination of dramatic, unchecked growth and an almost complete inability to assure any measure of quality has resulted in abysmal student performance in many K-12 online learning environments.

Comments

ISBN: 9781119082354

Version posted is the author's pre-print.

DOI

10.1002/9781119082361.ch29

Recommended Citation

Barbour, M.K. (2017). K–12 Online learning and school choice: Growth and expansion in the absence of evidence. In R.A. Fox & N.K. Buchanan (Eds.), The Wiley Handbook of School Choice (pp. 421-440). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell.