Midstate lawmaker pushes to expand online education
(Harrisburg) — A midstate lawmaker is renewing his push to create a clearinghouse of online courses available to public school students across the Commonwealth.
Representative Ryan Aument says he’s revamped an earlier version of the bill based upon feedback from the education community.
The Lancaster County Republican says the online courses would be held to the same academic standards as traditional offerings.
“The goal of this effort is to harness technology in a way that is beneficial to students and educators, while preserving local control, by ensuring local school district flexibility,” Aument said at a Capitol news conference.
Aument says the Open Campus program at the Penn Manor, Hempfield and Manheim Township school districts has already proven successful, and he wants to extend similar opportunities statewide.
He says the database would include detailed information on all online courses and providers.
It would also allow participants to rate the courses and provide feedback.
House Education Committee Chairman Paul Clymer and Acting Education Secretary Carolyn Dumaresq are backing the effort.
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