Oregon educators look to create single hub for cyber classes | OregonLive.com

Oregon educators look to create single hub for cyber classes | OregonLive.com

Oregon educators look to create single hub for cyber classes

By Wendy Owen, The Oregonian

March 28, 2010, 9:55PM

Students across Oregon may be able to take online classes as soon as this fall if the state's Education Service Districts can pull together a plan for a statewide cyber-school hub.

"The students would remain in their school district," said James Sager Sr., assistant superintendent of the Northwest Regional ESD. "This is collaborative and cooperative for kids across the state."

Superintendents from nearly all of Oregon's 20 ESDs converged in Salem on March 11 to consider strategies for offering a broad range of online classes. If the plan works, it will be a giant step into 21st century learning for most of Oregon's 197 school districts.

The virtual courses could allow students in the far corners of the state to take the same Advanced Placement courses as students in Beaverton or Lake Oswego. Among the group's priorities are classes enabling students to make up credits to graduate, and classes that offer both high school and college credit, Sager said.

The group will continue to meet and work out details. Sager said students may be able to take one online class or possibly a full load if their parents, teachers and counselors think it's the best option. Nationally, students in states that offer online courses take an average of two a year. Students would access the statewide system of courses through their local ESD.

Oregon's ESDs offer school districts services such as special education, technology, early education and teacher training. They receive state funds and can provide services on a broader scale for less money than schools