Today is Digital Learning Day!

Lt. Governor Joe Garcia, the Morgridge Family Foundation, and the University Of Denver MorgridgeCollege Of Education invite you to a celebration and sharing of DigitalLearning Day.  Please see the invite and agenda below. CCA has been working with the designers of the day and several of our CCA member online schools are planning to participate in the day.

Digital Learning Day Celebration

University of Denver

Ruffatto Hall, 1999 East Evans Ave.,

Denver, CO

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Welcome and Introduction of Lt. Gov. Garcia                                                Mary Stansbury

10:35 a.m.

Importance of Digital Learning                                                                          Lt. Gov. Garcia

10:35 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.

Proclamation                                                                                                        Lt. Gov. Garcia

10:40 a.m. – 10:42 a.m.

Update on Local Digital Learning Efforts                                                         Various Attendees

10:42 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

National Town Hall Broadcast                                                                            All

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lunch                                                                                                                      All

12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.

National Town Hall Broadcast                                                                           All

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Colorado was a buzzing this past week!!!

Monday 1.23.12 there was major meeting of the minds to focus on the digital roadmap for Colorado – this was supported by the Independence Institute, Donnell Kay, Colorado Department of Education  and even the president of the InternationalAssociation for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL)  It was glorious to see the range of stakeholders represented including board members from the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families, the range of online school leaders district schools, multi-district schools and programs.  While each of these may have unique drivers, missions, and results it was interesting to experience the ebb and flow of conversation and to find sufficient agreement on key areas that a message could be crafted to share with the legislators.  With that information, a delegation made up of those who sponsored and facilitated the event extended themselves over lunch with legislators at the University Club  that was sponsored by the Independence Institute and Donnell-Kay.  The event included an informational presentation by Susan Patrick the President of iNACOL to set the understanding the landscape of digital learning in the US and how Colorado compares as well as how the nation compares to the rest of the world.  With the tone set, information shared, then she was available to address the questions on legislators minds.  While there is much more work to be done I think it is fair to call this day a successful start to laying out priorities for the critical roadmap of Digital Learning in Colorado.

Wednesday 1.25.12— what a day of focus on parents Standing for Choice—I was honored to represent CCA on a panel for an online workshop entitled “Advocacy Academy” which was hosted by one of our associate members the Colorado Coalition ofCyberschool Families (CCCF).  What an informative and professionally delivered workshop.  The material was concise, delivered with authenticity and enthusiasm by Parents who have worked to inform policy makers while continuing to support their families.  This workshop was recorded and by all means needs to be shared with all parties who have a desire to make a difference by having their voice heard and their choice in education known.  Please download the webinar here. 

As a part of National School Choice Week I wanted to make sure that CCA was represented at the major event at the Douglas County Events Center.  This had National Speakers Dick Morris and Hugh Hewitt as well as local leaders in the Chairman Bob Schaffer of the Colorado State Board of Education as well as a member of Douglas County School District Board member Dan Gerken.  This event was particularly relevant in this community given that they have been pursuing a unique and highly contentious voucher plan.  Regardless of where the members of the crowd were on the issues there was energy and interest in the topic.  In essence the night could be summed up very easily with parents must take back their rights and accountability for educating their children rather than turning that responsibility to the government.

Thursday 1.26.12 -the Presidents arrival Thursday at Buckley Air Force Base may have been the highlight for many but for me the highlight was the Branson School Online Science Fair.  Wow!  How exciting to see students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade entrenched in Scientific demonstration, exploration, and learning.  .

I had planned to travel to the Independence Institute for the Kids Aren’t Cars event!  While I was not able to get there due to some work items that needed to be taken care of but guess what… I could see it on u-tube.  (of course you can)  Just look it up on the web – I did miss the interaction and experience I would have had from driving there and being in the discussion but at least I did not miss the content.  Maybe enough of us will view it on the tube and then we can have our own discussion.

Friday 1.27.12 -How did last week come to conclusion for CCA?  Well I am pleased to share that we have been partnering with the Governor’s office in preparation for Digital Learning Day which will be February 1—yes that is this coming Wednesday.  CCA has sponsored an Essay Contest and the Governors’ staff will be the reviewers of those essays submitted by CCA member schools.  We had Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12) categories.  This is the first year and CCA is pleased to be supporting the effort. 

Last week was filled with major events in addition to the critical work educators are involved with.  Given that I encourage you to celebrate the week, rest a moment and then get ready for the future!

Written by Judith  Stokes, Assistant Superintendent Branson School Online and President, Colorado Cyberschool Association

Digital Learning Day 2.1.12

Join this national awareness campaign to improve learning and teaching for all children. Find out how you can join this nationwide celebration of innovation. 

Click on Digital Learning Day to learn more.

A Great Publication for Parents

The Education Policy Center has recently released a great publication for parents: Choosing a Colorado Online School for Your Child by Ella Peterson, Research Associate and Pamela Benigno, Director, Education Policy Center.

National School Choice Week 2012

Join National School Choice Week, January 22-28, 2012 to help in the movement to make quality education options available to every child!

Visit their website to see how you can help make National School Choice Week 2012 a huge success!

Working Together Has Advanced in Colorado’s Online Community

In September 2009, the Independence Institute hosted a podcast on how the Colorado Cyberschools Association (CCA) and the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families (CCCF) collaborate and how that collaboration enhances the online education movement in Colorado.  Please listen to the interview with president of CCA, Judith Stokes, and myself, president of CCCF: ivoices.org Podcast Working Together to Enhance the Cyberschool Experience.

Here’s another shout out about CCA and CCCF as both organizations continue to work together in an effort to provide opportunities for Colorado’s cyber school families.

“CCA cooperatively assists cyberschools in providing a high-quality education to online students by sharing information about effective online education and program management, promoting studies that improve the quality of online programs, improving access to online programs, working with appropriate agencies to improve enrollment and attendance processes, and collaborating to address geographic issues inherent to online learning.”

Currently, CCA is an organization comprised of 8 diverse multi-district online programs:

Online Program                                                        

Branson School Online                                                       

Colorado Connections Academy                                      

Colorado Virtual Academy (COVA)                                             

Guided Online Academic Learning Academy                              

Hope Online Learning Academy Co-Op (Hope Online)           

Insight School                                                                                  

Karval Online Education                                                    

Monte Vista On-Line Academy                                         

This organization has come together as a group of passionate and sincere administrators who share the same mission, “To cooperatively assist cyberschools as they provide a quality education to all Colorado students whose needs are served through online education.” 

CCCF is a group of dedicated parents who have volunteered to be advocates for public cyber schools and online learning in Colorado.  Our coalition organized in 2004 and our vision is to work together with like-minded individuals and organizations to keep choice of public online schools available to our children and to families who are looking for options in public education in Colorado. We will support and defend the rights of all Colorado children to have unrestricted access to online public school options.

In January 2009, CCCF became an affiliate member of this like-minded organization, CCA, and our collaboration has allowed us to communicate and partner to enrich opportunities and experiences for Colorado’s online families.

Through our partnership we have strengthened and broadened our reach to families and we brainstorm ideas in order to continue to provide avenues for our families to share learning and fun as well as make connections with other Colorado cyber school families.

Together, our organizations sponsor several annual events throughout the year including Day at the Capitol, a Red Ribbon Week Celebration, Cyberschool Hike Day, and a summer Park Day. 

The partnership between CCA and CCCF continues to grow and advance in an effort to embrace and enrich the cyber school experience for our Colorado families. 

Colorado Cyberschool Hike Day

Presented by

Colorado Cyberschools Association

and

Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families

Come join the students and families of Colorado’s online public schools for our inaugural Cyberschool Hike Day on September 10.  This event will help celebrate recreational safety awareness in Colorado, raise much needed funds for local search and rescue and pay tribute to a special child.

On October 2, 1999 Jaryd Atadero went missing in the Colorado wilderness while on a hike at the age of three. Despite a massive search and rescue effort, Jaryd was never found.  As an important reminder of the need for recreational safety, the State of Colorado and Governor Hickenlooper have proclaimed September 4-10, 2011 as Recreational Safety Awareness Week in Jaryd’s memory.  Cyberschool Hike Day will be a great way to honor Jaryd and celebrate this weeklong event.

What: Cyberschool Hike Day

When: September, 10, 2011

Time: 10 a.m. (meet at the trailhead- end time depends on the pace of the hike- most hikes will take 1-3 hours)

Where: Four different locations around the state (click on the link for info/directions)

               Fountain Valley Trail: Roxborough State Park, Littleton (no dogs)

               Lost Lake Trail: Grand Mesa National Forest, Grand Junction

               North Cheyenne Canon Park: Colorado Springs

               Devil’s Backbone (Raven’s Roost and North Loop): Loveland

There is no cost to the hike.  As a fundraiser project, we will be promoting the Colorado Outdoor Search and Rescue Cards and taking a general collection on the day of the hikes.  The COSAR cards and general collection will provide funds for search and rescue teams throughout the state.  A $500 matching fund has been established by the staff and faculty of Insight School of Colorado.  Jaryd’s father, Allyn Atadero, is a part-time teacher with Insight and will lead the hike at Fountain Valley Trail on September 10. 

You can read more about the The Jaryd Atadero Story here.