Resources

=**Reports and Resources**= //Scroll down for more information on the reports and resources listed below. Note that the NECC/NYCC does not endorse products or programs represented here. This list is for your information only.//
 * CAST - Center for Applied Special Technology [Resource]
 * Clearing the Path: Creating Innovation Space for Serving Over-Age, Under-Credited Students in Competency-Based Pathways [Report]
 * [|Digital Learning Now] [Resource | Reports]
 * e-Learning for Educators Research: Evidence of Online Professional Development Impact on Teachers and Students [Report]
 * Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning [Resource | Report]
 * Online Learning Institute 2010 [Wiki]
 * OPEN New Hampshire: Online Professional Education Network [Wiki]
 * TechMatrix: Assistive Technologies and Resources for Learning [Resource]
 * When Success is the Only Option: Designing Competency-based Pathways for Next Generation Learning [Report]

//**Assistive Technologies**//
> CAST is a nonprofit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning//.//
 * **CAST: Transforming Education through Universal Design for Learning** //[Resource] []//

> TechMatrix is a tool for educators to find "educational and assistive technology products for students with disabilities." The resources within allow visitors to "[f]ind and compare educational and assistive technology products side by side to make informed decisions."
 * **TechMatrix: Assistive Technologies and Resources for Learning**. //[Resource] []//

//**Competency-Based Learning**//
> "This exploration into competency-based innovation at the school, district, and state levels ... draws on interviews and site visits with innovators and the limited literature that has been developed on the topic of competency-based approaches. The first section introduces a working definition for competency-based pathways that hopefully will be the beginning of creating consensus on the characteristics of a high-quality approach to guide policy. The second section explores the driving forces behind competency-based innovations and implementation issues. The last section highlights a number of challenges facing states and districts as they explore competency-based approaches" (p 4,5).
 * **When Success is the Only Option: Designing Competency-based Pathways for Next Generation Learning**. //[Report] November, 2012; Sturgis, C., Patrick, S.; International Association for K-12 Online Learning. []//

> " This paper provides guidance on creating competency-based approaches (CBAs) for students that have fallen off the track toward graduation. Alternative school models that use aspects of competency-based approaches (e.g., Diploma Plus, Performance Learning Center, and AdvancePath Academics) are severely constrained by policies that rely on the Carnegie unit and other time-based system elements. The full benefit of competency-based alternative schools will remain unknown until enabling state policy conditions are in place" (p 2).
 * **Clearing the Path: Creating Innovation Space for Serving Over-Age, Under-Credited Students in Competency-Based Pathways.** //[Report] December 2010; Sturgis, C., Rath, B., Weisstein, E., and Patrick, S.; iNACOL.org. [] //

//**Educational Policies & Practice**//
> "Digital Learning Now is a national campaign to advance policies that will create a high quality digital learning environment to better prepare students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college and careers. The initiative was launched in 2010 by Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida 1999 – 2007, and Bob Wise, Governor of West Virginia 2001 – 2005." Digital Learning Now "produced The 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning and [|Digital Learning Now! report]," which were released on December 1.
 * **Digital Learning Now.** //[Resources/Reports] []//

> From the About Keeping Pace page: "Keeping Pace has several goals. First, it strives to add to the body of knowledge about online education policy and practice, and make recommendations for advances. Second, it serves as a reference source for information about programs and policies across the country, both for policymakers and practitioners who are new to online education, and for those who have extensive experience in the field. Third, because there has been so much online education activity in the past year, the report attempts to capture new activity." From the Reports and graphics page: [The report] [|Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning: An Annual Review of Policy and Practice](2010) is the latest in a series of annual reports that began in 2004 that examine the status of K-12 online education across the country. The report provides an overview of the latest policies, practices, and trends affecting online learning programs across all 50 states.
 * **Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning﻿**. //[Resources/Report] []//

> This Wiki contains the archived notes from the 2010 Online Learning Institute, sponsored by Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and EdTech Leaders Online (ETLO). Keynote speakers included Chris Dede, Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Chris Lehmann, Principal of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, PA. Information on the upcoming Institute 6/29/2011 in Philadelphia, PA can be found here: Online Learning Institute 2011
 * **Online Learning Institute 2010.** //[Wiki] http://onlinelearninginstitute.wikispaces.com/home//

//**Professional Development**//
> "The e-Learning for Educators Initiative [was] a federally funded program seeking to establish an effective and sustainable model of online professional development that will help address state-wide teacher quality needs and have an impact on student achievement in eight partner states. Part of this initiative [involved] conducting four large-scale randomized experiments in 4th grade English Language Arts (ELA), 5th grade Mathematics, 7th grade ELA, and 8th grade Mathematics. inTASC [conducted] these studies ... to examine the impact of online professional development on teacher knowledge, teacher practices, and, most importantly, student achievement.
 * **e-Learning for Educators: Effects of Online Professional Development on Teachers and their Students.** // [Report] June, 2010; O’Dwyer, L., Masters, J., Dash, S., Magidin De Kramer, R., Humez, A., & Russell, M.; inTASC; Boston College. []//

> OPEN NH is growing a cost-effective statewide online professional development system geared to school or district needs. We do this by selecting and training facilitators, designing online courses specifically tied to the needs of NH schools and educators, and researching effective online professional development. OPEN NH offers 7-week online courses on best practices, curriculum enhancement, and a variety of content domains.
 * **OPEN New Hampshire: Online Professional Education Network**. //[Wiki] [|http://www.opennh.org]//