Transforming and turning Around Low-performing Schools: The Role of Online Learning

• Main Authors: Michael Corry, Angela Carlson-Bancroft
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Journal of Educators Online 2014-05-01
• Series: Journal of Educators Online
• Subjects: Credit Recovery; Curricular Reform; Low-Performing Schools; Online Learning; Personalized Learning; School Improvement Grant; School Transformation
• Online Access: https://www.thejeo.com/archive/archive/2014_112/corrycarlsonbancroftpdf

This review of the literature examines online learning as a core strategy for bold, dramatic curricular reform within transformational or turnaround models in improving low-performing K-12 schools. The analysis of the literature in this area found benefits of online learning in transforming and turning around low-performing schools to include: (a) broadening access for all students and providing opportunities for students to recover course credit, (b) the potential to motivate and engage students due to the flexible and self-paced nature of online learning, and (c) providing highly individualized and differentiated environments allowing for personalized learning. As a number of schools and school districts move to online learning, it can be used not only as a curricular reform, but also as a tool to improve student achievement and turning around low-performing schools.