Digital Learning Task Force Final Recommendations from Governor Nathan Deal's Digital Learning Task Force December 17, 2013 This page intentionally left blank. Table of Contents Letter to Governor Nathan Deal.....................................................................................................................1 Task Force Members.........................................................................................................................................2 Task Force Charge.............................................................................................................................................3 Recommendations .............................................................................................................................................4 I. Infrastructure..............................................................................................................................................5 II. Digital Content and Courses ..................................................................................................................8 III. Blended and Competency-Based Learning.........................................................................................9 Appendix A: Executive Order .......................................................................................................................12 Appendix B: Meeting Agendas and Resources............................................................................................14 Appendix C: Working Group Information..................................................................................................16 Further Information ........................................................................................................................................17 Letter to Governor Nathan Deal December 17, 2013 The Honorable Nathan Deal Governor of Georgia 206 Washington Street Suite 203, State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Dear Governor Deal, Over the past two decades, technology has played an increasing role in our educational system, as it has in all aspects of our lives. Despite this proliferation of technology, most modern classrooms still are structured the same way as classrooms over a century ago. Most students progress through grades at the same rate, regardless of the pace that they can master the instructional standards. Furthermore, many students and parents still lack sufficient course choices and learning resources, despite their widespread availability through the Internet. At the same time, Georgia businesses depend on the educational system to provide graduates who are college and career ready, and an increasing number of jobs require advanced skills. Digital learning has the potential to leverage technology to transform our educational system by providing students, parents, and educators more flexibility over the time, place, path, and pace of learning. In other words, it individualizes each student's educational experience and shifts the teacher's role from being the source of information to being a guide alongside students. To maximize the impact of digital learning, Georgia needs a cohesive, aligned strategy for implementation across the state. As we have learned through experience, simply integrating technology into classrooms is not likely to increase student outcomes. Over the last year, the Digital Learning Task Force, formed by Executive Order, has been working to develop such a framework. In November 2012, the task force first met to examine the current state of digital learning in Georgia and develop guiding questions to direct the development of recommendations. Over the next year, we met eight times and formed three working groups to develop recommendations in line with these questions. The meetings included presentations from national, state, and district digital learning experts as well as tours of locations in the state having success implementing digital learning. Also, as requested in the Executive Order, we examined the experiences of other states and school districts. The enclosed report represents the culmination of that work. It includes recommendations that focus on three key areas: Infrastructure, Digital Content and Courses, and Blended and Competency-Based Learning. As members of the task force, we thank you for the opportunity to explore this important issue and provide recommendations that will serve as a blueprint for the future of digital learning in Georgia. In the coming months, we look forward to providing any support necessary to bring these recommendations to reality. Respectfully submitted, The Digital Learning Task Force Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 1 Task Force Members Dr. Jody Barrow Superintendent Fayette County Public Schools Dr. Buster Evans Superintendent Forsyth County Schools Timothy Gage Senior Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs Comcast Cable Rep. Mark Hamilton State Representative R-Cumming Dave Howland Founding Principal KIPP Atlanta Collegiate Dr. Alan Long Principal Jefferson County High School Kami B. Luigs Director of Citizenship GE Energy Management Sen. Butch Miller State Senator R-Gainesville Ed Morrison Grants Specialist Barrow County Schools Gerard Petty Teacher Stockbridge High School, Henry County Georgia Virtual School Helen Rice Vice Chair State Board of Education Teya Ryan President & Executive Director Georgia Public Broadcasting Bob Swiggum Chief Information Officer Georgia Department of Education Levette Williams Associate Superintendent of Technology Services Georgia Department of Education Ex-Officio Working Group Members Rep. Mike Dudgeon State Representative R-Johns Creek Barbara Hampton Chair State Board of Education Support Staff Erin Hames Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Office of the Governor Kristin Bernhard Education Policy Advisor Office of the Governor Martha Ann Todd Executive Director Governor's Office of Student Achievement Sam Rauschenberg Deputy Director Governor's Office of Student Achievement The task force is also grateful to the following interns and fellows for their support during the task force: Neil Bitting, Joshua Delaney, Abigail Lloyd, Rachna Puthottu, and William Ruffin. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 2 Task Force Charge The Executive Order calls for the task force to do the following: Provide recommendations to prepare the state to effectively improve the educational achievement and attainment of students through the creation of robust digital learning environments, which may include the transition to digital textbooks and the effective use of wireless mobile devices. Provide recommendations and support the state's position in research and development related to and arising out of the integration of wireless technology into K-12 classrooms, including an examination of the experiences of other states and schools districts. Appendix A includes the Executive Order, and Appendix B lists task force meetings with hyperlinks to meeting agendas and presentations. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 3 Recommendations The following twelve recommendations are the culmination of the task force's work over the last year. The recommendations are organized into the following three categories: Infrastructure Digital Content and Courses Blended and Competency-Based Learning Together, these recommendations provide a comprehensive, integrated strategy for the future of digital learning in Georgia. All recommendations, adopted over time, will optimize implementation. Appendix C includes information on working group assignments for each of the categories. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 4 I. Infrastructure Recommendation 1: Increase statewide broadband capacity to schools, ensuring that Georgia's schools are able to utilize 21st century technology in classrooms. The state must develop a short- and long-term broadband expansion plan that becomes a permanent part of the state strategic plan. The broadband expansion plan should include stakeholders in public sectors outside education to increase buy-in and usage. These sectors include, but are not limited to, public safety, economic development, healthcare, and communications. Georgia's plan should produce infrastructure to support bandwidth capacity within schools that will sustain personalized learning, educational video services and access to digital learning tools throughout the school and in the classroom. Bandwidth capacity will likely be a growing need in Georgia, and the connections deployed should be scalable over time. While there is ongoing national debate regarding current and future educational broadband capacity needs, Georgia should consider the State Education Technology Directors Association's 2012 Broadband Imperative Report as a target. These specifications state that Georgia needs to following capacity: o By 2014-15, schools should have 100 megabits per second (Mbps) per 1,000 students/staff on an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and 1 gigabits per second (Gbps) per 1,000 students/staff for an internal district/school network (WAN). o By 2017-18, schools should have 1 Gbps per 1,000 students/staff on an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and 10 Gbps per 1,000 students/staff for an internal district/school network (WAN). To accomplish this goal, the state should leverage existing broadband infrastructure, including the University System of Georgia's PeachNet, and invest additional funds to lay fiber where needed. When determining where to expand broadband infrastructure, the state should take into consideration current capacity and needs across the state as well as the private sector's ability to provide equivalent or superior connectivity. The state's investment should not duplicate existing infrastructure as long as it allows schools to meet the minimum connectivity requirements detailed as a part of this plan. The state's plan should encourage private sector investments and relationships to ensure that private sector providers have an incentive for further build-out of broadband infrastructure in Georgia's communities. Once infrastructure is in place, the state should pursue an open bidding process for broadband service provision, ensuring that all service providers have an equal opportunity to serve schools. Local educational agencies (LEAs) should maximize federal E-Rate funds, and the state should provide additional state funds necessary to procure the needed bandwidth. To this end, as Georgia develops its plan, it should Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 5 remain cognizant of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) efforts to modernize the E-rate program. The strategic plan should include an estimate of savings and increased efficiencies for the state as a result of this expansion. The state should plan to evaluate progress toward meeting the goals laid out in the plan and the cost effectiveness of expenditures, including the extent to which private sector investment and broadband expansion has been encouraged. Recommendation 2: Increase districts' ability to expand wireless connectivity and device availability within schools, allowing them to fully leverage increased broadband capacity. In considering the broadband needs for schools, Georgia should recognize that the ultimate objective is delivery of bandwidth to the classroom, allowing students and teachers to take advantage of digital learning tools. Georgia should work to ensure that schools have access to the network infrastructure required to deliver the necessary bandwidth to the classroom. The state should continue funding the $7 million annual competitive grants for districts to improve technology implementation. In line with the State Education Finance Study Commission's recommendation, the FY2014 budget included funds for this purpose. The commission recommended this investment to continue for two additional years. LEAs with winning applications must have clear technology plans that are aligned with the district strategy and have the largest potential impact. The state should increase flexibility within the capital outlay category of the Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding formula to allow districts to spend funds on technology infrastructure. This increased flexibility will provide LEAs with more local control over capital outlay funds, allowing them to meet the specific needs of schools. This recommendation can be accomplished in one of two ways: o Broaden the definition of capital outlay in O.C.G.A. 20-2-260 to include technology infrastructure among allowable expenses. o O.C.G.A. 20-2-260 allows the State Board of Education (SBOE) to determine what expenses can be considered "educational facilities." As such, the SBOE could amend its rule governing capital outlay (160-5-4-.04) to broaden the definition of capital outlay to include technology infrastructure, allowing LEAs to include technology infrastructure upgrades as part of facilities plans. If more funding is available in the FY2015 budget, the state could increase the full-time equivalent (FTE) allotment for classroom technology. The FY2014 budget shifted $16.15 per FTE transfer from central administration operations into classroom technology, in line with recommendations from the State Education Finance Study Commission. Increased funding in FY2015 would allow districts to invest in wireless connectivity or devices. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 6 LEAs, municipalities, and local economic development authorities should apply for grants to expand connectivity. Where possible, the state should support LEA efforts to apply for these grants. LEAs should pursue multiple options to increase device availability in schools, including through school purchases, donation programs, and "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) programs. It should be noted that device availability does not require continual broadband connectivity because devices can be loaded with content for offline use. Recommendation 3: Increase availability of wireless connectivity in communities, allowing students to access learning resources outside of school. Encourage small businesses to offer free public wireless connectivity, or "Wifi Zones," to Georgia students, as Forsyth County Public Schools has done with its Free Wifi Directory. Broaden the home connectivity of low-income families by increasing publicity for broadband adoption options through local Internet providers that provide discounted high-speed connectivity and Internet-ready computers. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 7 II. Digital Content and Courses Recommendation 4: Support the transition to and acquisition of digital resources at the state, system, school and classroom level. Ensure that state policies to support the acquisition of digital textbooks move beyond mere digitized text and towards more interactive and personalized digital resources. Identify and support highly motivated schools and districts to become exemplars of digital learning through competitive grants and a scalable process with progressive, statewide goals for implementation over a set time period. Incentivize and recognize teachers, through competitive grants, to produce and share exemplary digital resources to populate the Georgia Department of Education's (GaDOE) Teacher Resource Link, which is housed in the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS). Where possible, leverage economies of scale to purchase digital resources at the state level that can be made available to LEAs and charter schools. Explore collaborations with other states to share high-quality, open education resources to populate the GaDOE's Teacher Resource Link. Consider utilizing a portion of state professional learning dollars to focus on professional development for teachers on the effective utilization of digital learning resources. Recommendation 5: Remove barriers to online learning. Examine the existing funding streams for online courses to encourage students, parents, and schools to broaden and strengthen learning options. Streamline credit options to ensure that the state clearinghouse maximizes access to postsecondary education. Recommendation 6: Develop a broad-based communication strategy around the importance and effective use of digital learning. Share information about the resources already available at the state level and best practices in digital learning. Include audiences in sectors outside of education to increase buy-in and usage. These sectors should include, at minimum, educators in all school settings, students, parents, the business community, and the broader community of education stakeholders. Emphasize the potential for effective incorporation of digital learning to achieve and leverage cost savings. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 8 III. Blended and Competency-Based Learning Recommendation 7: Provide blended and competency-based learning opportunities, so that PK-12 and postsecondary students are able to broaden, accelerate, or otherwise pace their learning appropriately and ensure mastery before progressing. Define competency-based learning as applied learning to mastery that may be demonstrated in multiple formats, with multiple opportunities, and through multiple pathways where students advance based on the demonstration of such mastery. Define blended learning as a combination of online delivery of content and instruction with face-to-face instruction where the student has some control over time, place, pathway, or pace of learning. Recommendation 8: Invest in assessments that drive higher expectations for demonstrated proficiency in academic content, application, analysis, and evaluation on summative and formative assessments at both the state and local levels. Plan to provide adequate funding to support the development and subsequent administration of these assessments. Clearly define the standards and content by setting consistent, specific expectations for student work and engagement, which are acceptable as evidence that a student's performance demonstrates the required level of competency in a course. Clearly define consistent expectations for demonstration of appropriate businessrequired skills by Georgia students. Recommendation 9: Review and align into a single document, policy, or law all dual enrollment and competency-based options already available in Georgia, so the options are more easily understood by students and parents. Include all options for dual or joint enrollment, Move On When Ready, summer ACCEL pilot courses, testing out of certain courses, blended learning courses, digital courses, credit recovery, credit repair, end-of-pathway assessments of competency for certification, and Georgia's Work Keys assessments for certification. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 9 Recommendation 10: Design a funding mechanism that provides flexibility to foster blended and competency-based learning while balancing the operational needs of districts. Consider how existing parameters and requirements in state policy and procedure may adversely impact blended and competency-based learning as well as course choice in Georgia. Revisit and refine the related laws or policies in the state to maximize opportunities for dual credit, blended, and competency-based learning. Recommendation 11: Find ways to incentivize the blended learning and competency-based courses, programs, and opportunities that expand and extend learning opportunities for students. Use the Innovation Fund, housed at the Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA), to support pilots and identify scalable models. Select pilots to support through the Innovation Fund that: o Build partnerships and digital networks of innovation, moving toward equitable access for students statewide, o Build on or expand successful innovative programs utilizing digital, blended or competencybased learning, and o Provide an opportunity to test new ideas for implementing digital, blended and competencybased learning that can be expanded if successful. Provide districts and schools with necessary flexibility to pursue a competency-based model. Leverage GOSA's capabilities, through its 501(c)3, to serve as a fiscal agent for programs, allowing Georgia's innovative programs to become more competitive for large national and private grants in digital and competency-based learning. Seek the support of the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) and the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA) in promoting Innovation Fund opportunities where there is alignment between the task force recommendations and the GSBA/GSSA Visioning Project recommendations. Explore partnerships with nonprofit organizations specializing in blended learning to perform a broad needs assessment for blending learning that engages all stakeholders in K-12 education that will lead to a customized plan for expanding blended learning in Georgia. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 10 Recommendation 12: To promote 21st century learning, schools and districts must consider how traditional classroom structures and furniture inhibit teachers from the differentiation needed for effective blended learning. Everything in a learning space should have purposeful thought that promotes learning. As districts replace classroom structures over time, leaders should purchase more versatile furniture that is conducive to blended learning. Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 11 Appendix A: Executive Order Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 12 Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 13 Appendix B: Meeting Agendas and Resources Overview of Digital Learning Context in Georgia Georgia State Capitol, Room 107, Atlanta Tuesday, November 20, 2012 9:00 am 12:00 pm Agenda Presentation: Overview of Digital Learning in Georgia Digital Learning in Other States Smokey Road Middle School, Newnan Thursday, December 13, 2012 1:00 pm 4:00 pm Agenda Presentation: Digital Learning in Other States Digital Content & GaDOE Resources Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta Tuesday, February 5, 2013 1:00 pm 4:00 pm Agenda LEA Access to Integrated GaDOE Systems Chart Georgia's Path to Personalized Learning Diagram Providing Access to Course Providers & Measuring Quality GaDOE Center for Classroom Innovation, Atlanta Tuesday, April 2, 2013 12:00 pm 4:00 pm Agenda Presentation on Louisiana's Course Choice Program Competency-Based Learning Professional Development Center, Barrow County Schools, Winder Thursday, June 6, 2013 11:00 am 4:00 pm Agenda Presentation on Competency-Based Learning & Blended Learning (Michael Horn) Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 14 Teacher Certification, Professional Development, & Teacher Preparation Programs Kennesaw State University, KSU Center Tuesday, August 6, 2013 1:00 pm 4:00 pm Agenda Presentation on Teacher Preparation for Digital Learning (Dr. Angela Coleman) Working Group Presentations: Infrastructure Cisco Systems, Atlanta Office Friday, October 11, 2013 10:00 am 2:00 pm Agenda Working Group Presentation: Digital Content/Courses and Competency-Based/Blended Learning LaFayette Educational Center, Fayette County Schools, Fayetteville Tuesday, October 22, 2013 12:00 pm 4:00 pm Agenda This meeting information is also available at the following link: http://gosa.georgia.gov/meeting-schedule Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 15 Appendix C: Working Group Information The task force split into three working groups during the August 6, 2013 meeting. These groups met in person and by conference call as needed before proposing recommendations to the full task force in October 2013. Working Group 1: Digital Content and Courses Members Gerard Petty (chair), Rep. Mark Hamilton, Dr. Alan Long, Teya Ryan, Levette Williams Staff Kristin Bernhard Working Group 2: Blended and Competency-Based Learning Members Helen Rice (chair), Dr. Jody Barrow, Dave Howland, Kami Luigs, Ed Morrison Staff Martha Ann Todd Working Group 3: Infrastructure Members Dr. Buster Evans (chair), Bob Swiggum, Tim Gage, Sen. Butch Miller Ex-Officio Members Barbara Hampton, Rep. Mike Dudgeon Staff Sam Rauschenberg Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 16 Further Information Further information on the task force, including digital learning resources and highlights from schools around the state, is available on the Governor's Office of Student Achievement's website: http://gosa.georgia.gov/digital-learning-task-force. For any questions related to the task force's work, please contact Sam Rauschenberg at srauschenberg@georgia.gov or 404-463-3219 Digital Learning Task Force| Final Recommendations | December 17, 2013 | 17 This page intentionally left blank.