This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This legislation is premised on the following beliefs:

• Each student learns in a different way
• Each student learns at a different pace
• The best education for any student is one which is customized to the way and pace at which that student learns
• Teachers who produce excellent results should be so rewarded for innovation, risk-taking and results
• Teachers can best innovate and excel in the least restrictive environment
• Privatization of the classroom would best reward teachers by providing them with the freedom to innovate and the ability to maximize their earnings potentials.
• Free market competition would reduce costs of education on a per student basis.

The objectives of this legislation are:

• To reduce the costs of education for Maine taxpayers
• To enhance educational results for Maine children
• To enable each student to learn at their own pace in their areas of greatest interest
• To encourage competition in the education process
• To reward Maine's most effective teachers
• To encourage Maine teachers to innovate
• To enhance parental school choice by providing an alternate education model
• To provide a model of education which will attract new business and economic development

Part 1. Authorization of a Digital Learning School Choice Model

Various sources, including the Foundation for Excellence in Education, have been developing education models based on digital learning capabilities. Prominent sources of digital learning include www.khanacademy.org and the Florida Virtual Schools.

Discussions of the merits, financial and educational, can be found in 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning Report.pdf and at http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/132519-transform-education-with-digital-learning.

"Our vision is an education that maximizes every child's potential for learning, prepares every child with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college and careers, and launches every child into the world with the ability to pursue his or her dreams."

This bill proposes to authorize digital learning as an educational model that is available as a school choice for parents. It hereby directs the formation of a team to examine existing digital learning models and to provide guidelines for the implementation of a digital learning model to be included as one possible education model from which parents may choose for their child(ren).

Part II. Privatization

This legislation also proposes to authorize private teaching constructs using a digital learning model (DLM). Individual educators or groups of educators would hereby be permitted to form professional associations or sole proprietorships to offer education to student using a DLM.

This bill proposes that the research and development team in Part I should concurrently explore ways that teachers could use digital learning to provide instruction to students on an individualized basis. Such instruction would enable each student to learn at an individual pace. Studies would include a core set of coursework and other courses for which the student demonstrates enthusiasm.

Concept

Digital Learning truly gives us a John Lennon "Imagine" moment. Imagine a classroom, not a traditional classroom, where each space is personalized for the student who uses that space. Each seat has a computer. Each computer is linked to a digital learning source, such as the Khan Academy. Each student spends their day studying a core set of required coursework, plus just about anything else that peaks their enthusiasm for learning.

One student, studying four languages in addition to the core three-R's, needing help after trying to find an answer through the online learning source, raises their hand. The teacher proceeds to give one-on-one assistance, either with content or with the learning interface. The teacher may also have direct access to other resources by phone, Internet or via an inhouse technician.

Then imagine that this teacher, or group of teachers, is operating this education program as a business, a professional association, with LLC status. The government funds each student with an amount significantly less than the current $11,644 or more. Each teacher can take on as many as a dozen-plus students, or more, especially if they have assistants. Essentially, each teacher can control their finances depending on how successfully they run their business. And each student gets an individualized education. Normal free-market factors will sort out the good from the bad, barring any interference in that process.

Yes it is truly non-traditional. And some teachers may fail. But the one-on-one opportunities, the course consistency, the support of a nationwide digital learning network and the reduced cost per student all combine to make our students more competitive in the global economy.

Just Imagine? Not Exactly ... check out Florida Virtual Schools

Click here to listen to the Heartland Radio Hour discussion of the new Digital Learning movement.

Other Resources
http://www.excelined.org/Pages/Programs/Excellence_In_Action/National_Summit.aspx

http://blog.heritage.org/2010/07/29/the-children-are-our-future-so-why-arent-they-learning-online/

• global skill demands versus educational attainment;
• the funding cliff; and
• a looming teacher shortage.