Where Online Schooling Has Been—and Where it's Going.

To help you learn more about online schooling, we have compiled a collection of research and white papers from education and government organizations.

• Building the Next Generation School: How Administrative Visionaries are Overcoming Challenges to Implement Online Education.
  K12 Inc. and Project Tomorrow, February 2012
  In this exclusive white paper, K¹² partnered with Project Tomorrow to examine the challenges faced in implementing online learning, and how ”online visionary” administrators are overcoming these challenges. In addition, see the types of programs they are implementing, and the five measurements of quality that will make your online learning program successful. For example, fully 33 percent of these innovative administrators are implementing online learning through a blended learning model. Examine the models they use, and read three case studies of districts getting results with online learning programs today.

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• Leveraging Technology to Close the Achievement Gap: A Critical Peer Survey
  K12 Inc. and Project Tomorrow, October 2011

  In this exclusive white paper, K¹² partnered with Project Tomorrow to examine how education leaders are employing technology to overcome critical student challenges—from low graduation rates to serving special populations. Through analysis of Project Tomorrow's SPEAK UP national survey results, this report outlines the technology initiatives that school and district administrators believe have the greatest potential for enhancing student achievement. Select case studies also demonstrate how robust online learning solutions are helping schools meet diverse needs.

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• K¹² Math
  David Niemi, K¹² Vice President of Evaluation and Research, December 2009

  What makes K¹² Math unique is its heavy foundation in cognitive science research. When we were first designing the curriculum, we drew extensively on several major areas of research, resulting in a program that exhibits a deep understanding of what children need to become both mathematically proficient and capable, productive adults.

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• Mastering Math: How K¹² Math Meets and Exceeds the New NCTM Focal Points
  K12 Inc., December 2009

  In September 2006, in an effort to address this lack of depth in American math, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) published Curriculum Focal Points for Pre-kindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics: A Quest for Coherence. This paper spells out in detail the three most significant math concepts students should learn at each grade level—called "Focal Points." K¹²’s math program meets or exceeds these Focal Points through a philosophy—and practice—of content mastery.

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• K¹² Primary Phonics and Language Arts
  Kristen Kinney, K¹² Senior Content Specialist and Curriculum Specialist for Reading, and John Holdren, K¹² Senior Vice President of Content and Curriculum, December 2009

  In the primary grades, the most critical educational task is to ensure that children learn to read. To help ensure success in this task, K¹² has developed a primary Language Arts curriculum with a comprehensive focus on phonics and decoding, as well as meaning and comprehension.

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• A Summary of Research on the Effectiveness of K-12 Online Learning
  Susan Patrick and Allison Powell, for the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), June 2009

  There are a number of rigorous studies that have examined the question, "Is online learning effective?" However, there is not a single, large-scale, national study comparing students taking online courses with traditional students, using control groups in the instructional design. The most in-depth, large-scale study to date is a meta-analysis and review of online learning studies from the U.S. Department of Education.

  This memo contains three sections: 1) a summary of the major study by the U.S. Department of Education, 2) a brief literature review of online learning research and studies, and 3) future research recommendations. The conclusion of the meta-analysis of these studies is that online learning offers promising, new models of education that are effective.

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• New Study Determines Students in Full-Time Online Public Schools Possess Strong Social Skills
  Interactive Education Systems Design (IESD), Inc., in collaboration with The Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP)

  A new study concludes that the social skills of students enrolled in full-time, online public schools are superior to or not significantly different than students enrolled in traditional public schools.

  The independent study was completed by Interactive Education Systems Design (IESD), Inc., in collaboration with The Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) at the University of Memphis. It represents the first significant research effort on the social skills of students in full-time, online public schools.

  Download the White Paper Summary PDF
  Download the Full Report PDF