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 ncep STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Education Providers Applaud On-line Learning Accountability Recommendations
National group cautions against sweeping generalizations

(December 19, 2006) The National Council of Education Providers today applauded the work of the Colorado State Auditor and invited legislators and policymakers to review in depth the progress being made by individual schools rather than judging all online learning schools through the same lens.

“As providers of public education opportunities to more than 260,000 children in 27 states, we welcome the necessary oversight that ensures all families have access to quality opportunities,” said NCEP Chair Michael Connelly, the Chief Executive Officer of Mosaica Education, Inc. “Whether schools are made from bricks and mortar, or provide their learning virtually, we represent quality providers who are succeeding across the board.”

Connelly pointed out that two of his association’s members, Connections Academy, LLC and K12 Inc., are curriculum and service providers to full-time online public schools in Colorado, and have demonstrated marked progress since their inception. K12’s Colorado Virtual Academy has had the highest percentage of online school students scoring at or above grade level in all subjects for three consecutive years. Denver Connections Academy, which also serves students statewide, has made AYP every year save one; last year, 83% of Connections Academy who took the Colorado Student Assessment Program showed measurable growth in math and 89% showed measurable growth in reading.

Online schools like those served by Connections and K12 have the same accountability requirements as every other traditional public school in Colorado. However, these schools serve many children who do not fit in a traditional system, and thus comparisons among online schools and those in buildings are often not meaningful.

“We believe the auditors – and thus the legislators – recognize that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to online learning any more than there is a one-size-fits-all model for students or teachers,” said NCEP treasurer Barbara Dreyer, who is president of Connections Academy. “We look forward to working with lawmakers to ensure continued high-quality public school options in Colorado”

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The National Council of Education Providers is an alliance of organizations that provide quality education opportunities for families in the communities we serve. For more information please contact NCEP at (202) 822-5076.