Two school districts in the state of Iowa are working to get their new curricula approved by state legislators, marking a turning point in their teaching style.

In contrast to the traditional style of teaching — where learning is face to face and the teacher is physically present — CAM Community School District and Clayton Ridge Community School District are set to become Internet-based with classes taught primarily online starting this fall.

State legislators are questioning the legality of this move because the schools would be sponsored by the school districts but operated by private companies. The CAM school district serves Iowa students in Cumberland, Anita and Massena, while Clayton Ridge is based in the northeast Iowa towns of Garnavillo and Guttenberg.

Staci Hupp, communications director for the Iowa Department of Education, said these schools have been approved by the state.

"Iowa Code gives school districts in Iowa the authority to deliver education online as long as the education is not delivered exclusively online," Hupp said. "The CAM and Clayton Ridge districts have demonstrated in good faith that they intend to meet all legal requirements by combining online with traditional materials and instruction. We will closely monitor how the districts implement their online programs."

Jeffrey Brooks, associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies, said online schools should be allowed in Iowa.

"Online schools are increasingly common around the country," Brooks said. "They should definitely be allowed in Iowa, especially because underfunded rural schools may be able to offer their students courses they would not otherwise be allowed to deliver. Moreover, high-quality online teaching can offer students other opportunities to make up missed credits or to engage the materials and instructors via formats that may be more conducive to their learning."

Hupp said that state law gives school districts the authority to start online schools without approval from the Iowa Department of Education and that there is no state process for approval or denial.

"The department's concern is that quality education is delivered within the confines of the law" she said. "That can happen in an online format, and, in some cases, it's the right choice for students."

Online schools are an increasingly popular trend in Iowa as well as across the nation.

"Online schools are a growing trend that cannot be ignored," said Lily Compton, lecturer of educational leadership and policy studies. "They can offer students access to more opportunities and learning options. There are organizations that offer supplemental courses to students enrolled in traditional schools."

Compton used Iowa Learning Online as an example of such an organization, which offers Advanced Placement classes, postsecondary enrollment options and additional courses not offered by school districts.

Brooks said the education program at Iowa State should be getting ahead of the curve with online learning and teaching.

"Educator preparation programs at universities like Iowa State University shouldn't be reacting to the coming of online teaching, they should be leaders of innovation," Brooks said. "We have all the capacity and know-how to do amazing things, but are stuck in many outmoded ways of thinking about teaching and learning

"ISU has always been a leader in distance education, outreach and extension — it's time for us to also lead in terms of online instruction."

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Iowa schools begin to adopt online-education practices