Stated Briefly: Online course use in Iowa and Wisconsin public schools: The results of two statewide surveys

Title:	Stated Briefly: Online course use in Iowa and Wisconsin public schools: The results of two statewide surveys
Description:	This "Stated Briefly" report is a companion piece that summarizes the results of another report of the same name. The purpose of the study conducted by REL Midwest in partnership with the Midwest Virtual Education Research Alliance was to develop and administer a survey to describe online course use in Iowa and Wisconsin brick-and-mortar public high schools during the 2012-13 school year. The Iowa Department of Education and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction administered the survey to representative random samples of 168 public high schools in each state at the start of the 2013-14 school year. Researchers analyzed survey data collected from 117 schools in Iowa and 96 schools in Wisconsin to produce statewide estimates of online course use. Results indicate that the primary uses of online courses in both states were to provide students with opportunities for credit recovery and opportunities to complete core requirements for courses covering the primary academic subjects. Schools cited concerns about the educational experiences of students taking online courses, including the lack of teacher training in Iowa and online course quality in Wisconsin. Further research is needed to examine the short-term and long-term academic outcomes for students enrolled in online courses.
Online Availability:	Download, view and print the report as a pdf file. (209KB)
Cover Date:	May 2015
Web Release:	May 12, 2015
Print Release:	May 12, 2015
Publication #:	REL 2015090 General Ordering Information
Center/Program:	REL
Associated Centers:	NCEE
Authors:	Margaret Clements, Angela M. Pazzaglia, and Erin Stafford: Education Development Center In collaboration with the Midwest Virtual Education Research Alliance
Type of Product:	Stated Briefly
Keywords:	Online Learning Public Schools States
Questions:	For questions about the content of this Stated Briefly, please contact: Amy Johnson.