Published the week of 5/1/05

Superintendents like Bob Belluzzo, Lynn Steenblock, Gary Amoroso, Mike Moriarty, Mark Sleeper, Barb Zakrajsek and Jeff Miller know there's a "new game in town:" distance learning Minnesota may not fit the national pattern when it comes to distance learning, according to a small survey I did over the last two weeks. But superintendents are very aware of new opportunities available to take on-line and television courses. These leaders also know that some educators ARE responding to a growing number of families that want these opportunities for youngsters.

Hibbing Superintendent Bob Belluzzo says that the district "currently does not offer" a distance learning or on-line courses. However, he says getting into this area is "definitely a priority."

Lynn Steenblock, superintendent of Forest Lake has an extensive background with two way interactive television, dating back to time he spent in Montevideo. However, Forest Lake current is not offering any on-line or television courses. He thinks it is a valuable option when offered by well-trained staff, with good equipment and a strong assessment program. And he points out that all this takes money.

Milaca Superintendent Barbra Zakrajsek reports her district offers two high school courses via television: Medical Technology and American Sign Language. These courses have been "received very well," and the district is considering doing more of this. She also says that she and other district educators also have participated in meetings via educational television, and that they've found these meetings "a very good use of time."

Princeton interim superintendent Mark Sleeper says that the district's high school began offering half a dozen "on-line" courses this year for high school students. The courses covered subjects like English Social Studies and Family living. Teachers were trained before offering the courses, which will be evaluated at the end of the year. So far, Sleeper says, "I think the faculty and students have done a good job."

Mike Moriarty in Caledonia says high school students in his district are taking a number of honors courses "on-line", offered by Southeast Technical College in Winona. Moriarty praises the courses as "very challenging," and a "good deal" for students. He's very aware of the new state-wide on-line charter school being offered by Houston, a neighboring district, and a national company, K-12, headed by former U.S. Education Secretary Bill Bennett.

Jeff Miller, superintendent in Rushford-Peterson says the district has talked briefly about distance learning. He sees it as one possible tool for learning, and an approach some values value, but "certainly not the end all" for problems facing education. Miller also stresses that most students really benefit from coming together in a school, rather than getting their education at home.

Doug Hodson supervises several alternative programs for the Anoka-Hennepin district. His district helps more than 350 students a year who have major health problems, take courses and then get help via telephone. The same is true for some students with discipline problems: the district also uses telephones to stay in contact, and help these young people stay involved in academics. The district also offers some "on-line" courses in areas the schools do not teach, on a "case by case basis." Hodson has found that on-line courses work best for "highly-motivated students" or for students who are in a lab, and are constantly monitored by a teacher.

Lakeville superintendent Gary Amoroso says the district offers on-line courses for students who are behind in credits, or have other problems that mean they need "extra help to get back on track to graduate." He says broader uses of on-line learning are "worth exploring" but insists, "academic rigor must be maintained."

One of the more intriguing uses of on-line learning is found at Cyber-Village, a grades 4-8 charter school based in St. Paul. About 130 students spend several days each week in the school building, working with teachers, and two days a week at home, taking courses on-line. Cyber Village also provides courses to some youngsters with major health problems, and courses to about 12 other schools around the state. Bob Bilyck, the school's director, has been involved with distance learning since the late 1980's. He agrees with others that teaching via computer requires special skills all educators do not have. But he also notes that high quality on-line learning "is something many, many families are seeking."

That's evident in a new US Department of Education report, "Distance Education Courses for Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, 2003. " Released in March, the report notes that about 1/3 of U.S. Districts are offering some form of distance learning course, via television, computer or other means. A higher percentage of rural districts, compared to suburban and urban districts are using this approach (46 percent compared to 28 and 23 percent, respectively."

Distance learning courses are not a panacea. But these courses can be a strong option for many students. And clearly, growing numbers of Minnesota families are interested.