NACOL+Programs+and+Services

Susan Patrick Allison Powell
 * Second Wednesday of the month there is a NACOL Webinar - they are seeking topic suggestions
 * Will be a series of 3 webinars on Second Life
 * Teacher Talk Webinars - instructors and professional development for online teachers at 7:00 PM EST
 * 4 master teachers around the country will lead the discussions
 * NACOL is still working on Quality Standards for Online Courses and Teacher Quality
 * An extensive survey resulted in SREB Standards being adopted as national standards for Online Courses
 * An email survey for Teacher Quality is out now to be followed by the same process
 * Soon to tackle Quality Standards for online Programs (Liz Pape and Matt Wicks) based on program audits around the country
 * School and Students Needs Assessment Program (SNAP)
 * NACOL deploys a survey to help states or districts find out what the courses and services desires really are. They will survey whoever you want: principals, parents, etc. It also raises awareness among all participants.
 * ?? Should HRETA take advantage of this service? The report provides information that can be used to lobby school boards and legislatures.
 * Standard pricing is $15,000
 * National Primer on K-12 Online Learning
 * ?? Should we get copies of this for all school board members?? Susan suggested taking the PDF off the website and taking it to staples and having them print and bind!!
 * Promising Practices in K-12 Online Learning
 * Currently identifying topics for examination including credit recovery, and soliciting other topics
 * Media Relations and Advocacy
 * Provides fact sheets for reporters and will testify on legislation, etc.
 * Has drafted a set of state policy priorities and are working on national policy priorities
 * Write a letter to Susan Patrick if we need info or help
 * Georgia has started a weekly telephone meeting of NACOL members to talk about issues and share info
 * NACOL can serve as an independent reviewer of course quality, including alignment to state standards. The report is owned by the initiating organization and includes recommendations for each course, such as "Recommended, with reservations"
 * !! Check out an organization called Region 4 (website) that provides all kinds of services for online education
 * NACOL is going to move forward to gather accurate detail nationally on online programs - email Susan if there is information or specific data we want to know