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So what should a school district hoping to jump into online education do next?
First, realize you don't have to go it alone. There's no need to reinvent the wheel when so many states and school districts already have mapped out strategies. But ifs a fluid endeavor - ifs different for every district, and there's not just one way to go about it.
You have to figure out what makes sense for your school district, says Matthew Wicks, who runs a Chicago-area consulting firm specializing in helping schools and districts tap into the potential of online learning.
Wicks knows a little bit about the whole process. He was a co-founder of the Illinois Virtual High School. He offers these tips for those just starting down the path toward online learning.
* DETERMINE YOUR PURPOSE. Is it primarily for students' credit recovery or advanced classes? Will the school focus on electives or gear itself toward students at risk of dropping out?
The Omaha Public Schools in Nebraska launched its online program four years ago, primarily as a way for at-risk students to retake classes...