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Abstract: Over just the past decade, online learning at the K-12 level has grown from a novelty to a movement. Often using the authority and mechanism of state charters, and in league with home schoolers and other allies, private companies and some state entities are now providing full-time online schooling to a rapidly increasing number of students in the U.S. Yet little or no research is available on the outcomes of such full-time virtual schooling. The rapid growth of virtual schooling raises several immediate, critical questions for legislators regarding matters such as cost, funding, and quality. This policy brief offers recommendations in these and other areas, and the accompanying legal brief offers legislative language to implement the recommendations.

Hmmm, what do you think of this ban?

It seems like the legislators have not been advised of the many positive attributes of a social networking site in the classroom. At the same time, they are probably acting out of fear and intense need to decrease liability. Unfortunately, as the article also states, such legislation probably won't stop inappropriate communications from happening. If a teacher and student decide to cross that line, they will, undoubtedly, find other ways of communicating.