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K-12 online and blended learning have evolved in new directions in the past year. While nowfamiliar segments of the field, such as online charter schools and state virtual schools, have continued to grow, relatively new forms such as consortium programs and single-district programs are expanding even more rapidly, as is the range of private providers competing to work with districts. As of late 2011, online and blended learning opportunities exist for at least some students in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, but no state has a full suite of full-time and supplemental options for students at all grade level.  See page 164 for WI.

This is an annual report on policy and practice across the nation...state by state. Empahsis on quality of online and blended learning this year. You'll find this to be very informative and factual. Note the "Planning for Quality" section pages 50-62...well done.

In developing their plans, states should adopt a sense of urgency around certain policy areas: establishing a competency-based education that requires students to demonstrate mastery of the material,providing a robust offering of high quality courses from multiple providers,ending the archaic practice of seat-time,funding education based on achievement instead of attendance,funding the student instead of the system,eliminating the all-too-common practice by school districts of prohibiting students from enrolling with approved providers, either by withholding funding or credit, andbreaking down the barriers, such as teacher-student ratios and class size limits, to effective, high quality instruction.