Administrators
STEPS to Online Education Implementation
Step Two: Establish Funding Base
Look at funding and other cost-related issues; these may be the FIRST things you will have to consider. Where is the money coming from to hire the teachers to begin the course development? OR to purchase the online interface for teachers and students? What sort of tech support will be needed to make the whole endeavor work?
Other financial issues related to working, sustainable DE programs
- Who "owns" the online school and is ultimately financially responsible? If it is a state entity, who is the governing body, an independent board, the state department of education, the state board, a school district? If it is a charter school, how is it set up?
- What happens with the cost responsibility when crossing school, district, regional, and state boundaries?
- What should we expect from service providers (ISP's) and commercial companies?
- What sort of an intra-school and inter-district agreement will be necessary to insure equitable compensation for content development and time teaching?
- What will your relationship be with the local teacher's union regarding online teaching compensation, benefits, and preparation time?
In some states, schools pay the online provider for courses and claim funding for online students as they would any student. Calculate the income you receive per student per course per semester to know what you can afford to pay a provider. If not funded by your state or district, the costs of a course may range between $250 and $450 per student per semester. Bartering by trading teacher time for student slots is also a possibility.
Schools may charge a refundable fee, a nonrefundable fee - especially for students taking more than their allotted number of courses each year, or no fee.
Some states entirely fund online education for students. Others underwrite part of the costs. Still others do not have a funding formula in place for online students. Contact your online provider and your state department of education for information.
When considering costs, factor in computers and software, a mentor-facilitator (an educational assistant or library person ), training time and technology support for student and teacher.
Income can be generated through an online program by attracting non-traditional students, attracting students who have scheduling/work/family-responsibility conflicts, and students who leave school early because they complete graduation requirements.
Online Learning Needs Assessment Checklist (PDF)
Online Learning Administrative Policy Issues Checklist (PDF)
STEPS to Online Education Implementation
- Step One: Conduct Needs Assessment
- Step Two: Establish Funding Base
- Step Three: Establish Policy & Procedures
- Policy Matrix [PDF]
- Standards [PDF]