Author: Richard England

Publisher:

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 44

ISBN-13:

There is at present an unusually high degree of interest among educators and educational policy makers in the possibilities of improving and expanding elementary and secondary education by incorporating some forms of distance education into traditional schooling. However, no procedures and little funding have been provided for research to find out what issues states consider important, what policies they have implemented or intend to implement, or what the opinions are among policy makers about the future of distance education in the schools. An issue raised by the Office of Technology Assessment in 1989 ("Linking for Learning: A New Course for Education") has to do with the certification of teachers involved in distance education programs, as the teacher certification process varies from state to state, and at times among universities and colleges within a particular state. A survey of chief state school officers in the United States, including the District of Columbia, was conducted in 1990 for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (APB), Organization of State Broadcast Executives (OSBE), and the Southern Educational Communications Association (SECA). Questions were asked regarding state-level involvement in distance education and teacher certification issues. Responses from 41 states (response rate 80%) provided an overview of activity and opinion. These responses are discussed in the context of individual questions in each of the two areas, and it is concluded that, although there is a continuing need for research and education of policymakers, the majority of states appear to recognize the opportunities that exist for distance education through telecommunications, and that they are exploring ways to make education more available through technology. Responses from the individual states to each of nine questions are tabulated in the appendix. (Contains 7 references.) (ALF)