The graphic below from Step Up For Students got quite a bit of attention when it first came out, but I still think it deserves a bigger splash. As shown in the image, 51% of all K-12 students in Florida are now choosing a school other than their zoned neighborhood school. This is a big deal for a few reasons.

The digital learning space is growing, and it is also fluid, which means that there are many new schools and programs opening—and that some schools and programs are closing as well. That’s not necessarily a bad thing overall, although it can be negatively disruptive for the students and families involved. It can also cause some apparent confusion, as from time to time I hear from someone saying, “I heard XYZ online school closed, does that mean that online learning is not doing well?” That’s about the same as saying “my town’s Domino’s closed, I guess people don’t like pizza now.” Still, closures can also sometimes tell us something about the larger field. Let’s take a closer look at one example.

The end of the school year provides us with a time to reflect and make decisions to better the student experience, and as you well know, those decisions are dependent upon funding.  And that funding, well, it depends on what changes are made on Capitol Hill. So, there's a good chance you're paying attention. As the leader of DLAC's Policy Protector's PLC, I know you are. We've had some time as a community (shameless plug, you should totally come- our conversations are getting SO fun).

Digital learning is evolving rapidly, and at DLAC Ignite in Atlanta, I shared seven key trends shaping its future. In this recap, I break down how digital learning has grown post-pandemic, the expanding landscape of hybrid and alternative education models, and shifts away from traditional district schools. I also explore which trends—like microschools, ESAs, and AI—are overhyped, under-hyped, or right on target. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or just curious about the future of digital learning, this summary will help you stay ahead of the curve.

Digital learning is evolving rapidly, and at DLAC Ignite in Atlanta, I shared seven key trends shaping its future. In this recap, I break down how digital learning has grown post-pandemic, the expanding landscape of hybrid and alternative education models, and shifts away from traditional district schools. I also explore which trends—like microschools, ESAs, and AI—are overhyped, under-hyped, or right on target. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or just curious about the future of digital learning, this summary will help you stay ahead of the curve.

Digital learning is evolving rapidly, and at DLAC Ignite in Atlanta, I shared seven key trends shaping its future. In this recap, I break down how digital learning has grown post-pandemic, the expanding landscape of hybrid and alternative education models, and shifts away from traditional district schools. I also explore which trends—like microschools, ESAs, and AI—are overhyped, under-hyped, or right on target. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or just curious about the future of digital learning, this summary will help you stay ahead of the curve.

Celebrating the evolution of the DLAC brand and community.

Buckle up, digital learning innovators because this year’s trends might just have us channeling our inner Indiana Jones. Discussions with DLAC’s Executive Committee have uncovered some interesting shifts to keep in mind as we dive into the new calendar year. Like Indy deciphering ancient maps and dodging rolling boulders, we’ll need to navigate challenges, adapt our strategies, and stay ahead of the curve. These trends aren’t just coming at us, they’re reshaping the landscape, and the key to success will be how we prepare for and respond to them. 

A look back at the year in digital learning—what we’ve learned, what we’re grateful for, and what’s ahead for online education.

Robert Pondiscio’s admission earlier this fall that “there are serious questions about the validity” of the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO’s) findings about online learning outcomes felt like a lifeline to online educators who have been treading water for almost a decade. Senior Fellow Pondiscio wrote a column for the Fordham Institute based on what he heard on a panel he hosted entitled “Is it Time for a Fresh Look at Online Education?” I recommend watching the whole 75-minute panel recording. One crucial point is that CREDO’s “virtual twin” methodology, which is at the core of several widely cited reports criticizing online school effectiveness, fails to acknowledge essential ways that online students differ from brick-and-mortar students.

K-12 Online Education Service Market Poised for Explosive Growth, reads the headline on the press release. That headline does exactly what it’s meant to, which is to catch my eye and get me to click on the link. But it didn’t get me to take the next step, which is to buy the report that is available for sale. Instead, I’m going to comment on the points being made in the press release.

Most Americans can’t remember when smoking was allowed on domestic flights in the United States, because it was banned in 1990. But the Federal Aviation Administration just got around to updating a rule that had required that airplanes “No smoking” signs have an off switch, meaning the sign could be turned off to allow smoking. An off switch hasn’t been needed in 34 years. Is this just an example of an outdated regulation that had no real impact? Not exactly. The New York Times reports that United Airlines had been unable to use some new planes because they didn’t have the off switch, causing some flight delays. In the larger picture maybe a few flight delays isn’t that big a deal, but if you can remember the last time you were inconvenienced by a flight delay, you can imagine that how much worse it might have felt if you’d known that the delay was due to the FAA’s inability to change a policy that has been outdated for three decades."