3/28/2014
Online classes surge in popularity among Michigan K-12 students | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
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Online classes surge in popularity among Michigan K-12 students
5:59 PM, March 26, 2014 |
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By Lori
Higgins
Detroit Free
Press
Education Writer
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The number of K-12 students taking online courses in Michigan
surged 52% in the last three years, according to a report released this
week that provides a first-of-its-kind — but limited — look at the
effectiveness of online learning in the state.
FILED UNDER
Local News
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During the 2012-13 school year, 55,271 students took at least one
online course, up from 36,348 during the 2010-11 school year. The
overall number of courses taken surged from 89,921 to 185,053
during that period.
The effectiveness data was mixed. Of the students taking a blend of
online and traditional classes, the completion/passing rate for the
online classes was 60%, compared with a completion/passing rate of
72% for non-online classes.
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Researchers caution that limitations in the
data could affect those completion rates. For
instance, completion rates for summer school
classes were not available when the data was
analyzed, said Joseph Freidhoff, executive
director of the Michigan Virtual Learning
Research Institute, which conducted the
research at the request of the Michigan
Legislature.
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The students who took summer classes in
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2013 are listed as having an incomplete, but
many of them may have passed those
classes, Freidhoff said.
“We know this data isn’t perfect,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, president
and CEO of the Michigan Virtual University, the state-created
nonprofit that includes the research institute. “This is a giant first step
in trying to wrap our arms around what we know is a growing trend.”
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State Superintendent Mike Flanagan said in a news release that the
information in the report will help impact instruction and policy in
http://www.freep.com/article/20140326/NEWS06/303260121/Michigan-students-online-classes
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3/28/2014
Online classes surge in popularity among Michigan K-12 students | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Michigan.
“The findings ... provide an important baseline to evaluate online
growth and effectiveness over time,” Flanagan said.
Fitzpatrick said the report puts Michigan years ahead of other states
in evaluating the effectiveness of virtual learning. More work will be
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needed to ensure that there is uniformity in the way schools submit
data to the state.
The researchers analyzed data from several sources: students
enrolled in courses through the Michigan Virtual School, which is part
of Michigan Virtual University; students who take all of their
coursework online through a cyber school, and students who take
online courses via other means, such as courses provided by their
districts or another entity.
Although there has been a growing push for students to take
advantage of online learning, the data suggests students perform
better when they only take one or two classes online.
Of the students who take a mixture of online and non-online courses,
the completion/passing rate was higher — 68% — for those taking
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one or two online classes than for those taking three or four (59%) and
those taking five or more (55%) online courses.
Some additional findings:
■ Completion/pass rates
for students in grades K-5 ranged
between 87% and 94%, while the rates for students in grades 6-12
ranged from 47% to 77%.
■ The overall percentage of students taking online courses remains
relatively small, particularly in the elementary grades. In grades K-7,
fewer than 1% of students have taken an online course. The highest
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percentage was in 12th grade, where 15% of seniors have taken an
online course.
Fitzpatrick said he’s concerned that the data suggests that a large
number of the students taking virtual courses are students who are
behind academically and need to catch up on credits. He said more
discussion is needed at the local level on how to ensure online
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Royal Oak , MI
courses are an option for all students.
“We have to ask ourselves from a policy perspective: If a student is
struggling and they need more help and assistance, is loading them
up with five or six online classes going to increase their chances of
success? The data suggests no.”
Detroit , MI
Director of Business
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Contact Lori Higgins: 313-222-6651, [email protected] or via
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http://www.freep.com/article/20140326/NEWS06/303260121/Michigan-students-online-classes
4/5
3/28/2014
Online classes surge in popularity among Michigan K-12 students | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Online classes surge
in popularity among
Michigan K-12
students
By Lori Higgins Detroit Free Press
Education Writer Filed Under Local
News Michigan news
freep.com
Mar. 27
The number of K-12 students taking
online
courses in Michigan surged 52% in
the last three years, according to a
report released this week that provides
a first-of-its-kind — but limited — look
at the effectiveness of online learning in
the state.
During the 2012-13 school year,
55,271 students took at least one
online course, up from 36,348 during
the 2010-11 school year. The overall
number of courses taken surged from
89,921 to 185,053 during that period.
The effectiveness data was mixed. Of
the students taking a blend of online
and traditional classes, the
completion/passing rate
for the online classes was 60%,
compared with a completion/passing
rate of 72% for non-online classes.
Researchers caution that limitations in
the data could affect those completion
rates. For instance, completion rates
for summer school classes were not
http://www.freep.com/article/20140326/NEWS06/303260121/Michigan-students-online-classes
5/5