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Seat Time Waivers-Michigan Leads the Way
by Leslie Wilson


Michigan is frequently in the news because of its high rate of unemployment, failing economy and tales of the Big Three downfall. Michigan SHOULD be in the news because of its statewide seat time waivers (STW) enacted under the leadership of State School Superintendent, Mike Flanagan, and implemented by Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD), under the direction of Beverly Knox-Pipes-a highly effective leader in the ed tech arena. 
In precedent setting waivers of State School Aid Laws, Michigan is poised to lead this country in engaging the value of personalized teaching and learning through online experiences that create a revenue positive solution.
 
Through its GenNet and STW courses, GISD provides over 4000 courses taught by 500 online certified teachers in 512 out of 567 Michigan school districts. Nearly all Michigan’s 57 intermediate school districts have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with GISD to provide seat time waivers to their regional local education agencies. There has been tremendous uptick in the numbers of students and parents seeking access to this opportunity since it began a few months ago.
The profiles of students pursuing the seat time waivers include those who have been expelled, are pursuing Olympic sport skill status, are unable to physically or otherwise travel to their local school settings, are seeking unique courses not offered by their home schools and are jumpstarting their post high school educations.
Each student has as ‘in home school’ mentor who supports the student’s ability to successfully shift from traditional to virtual course experience. New sets of skills, interactions, expectations and outcomes are required for students to thrive in an online course environment.   A mentor’s recommended caseload is 25-30 online students. Each school deploys mentors within its local parameters and unique environment needs. 
Online courses are vetted and are reportedly of high quality – being accredited along all necessary avenues for acceptance and recognition at institutions of higher education. They also meet NCAA standards.
Some of the questions being asked include:
·         Will the STW cost teachers’ jobs?
·         Can all students successfully complete online opportunities?
·         What is the impact on students’ emotional and academic development – comparing the taking of virtual coursework to that of being in a classroom with an in person teacher?
·         Will there come a day when any student won’t need to be physically in a ‘place’ at all to earn a high school diploma? What will be the future of education as we know it?
·         How shall administrators ‘lead’ with a percentage of students being in virtual classrooms?
·         How should/will bricks and mortar schools change if STW take hold in the future?
·         What will be the cost benefits of virtual course integration in a school district?
GISD has posted a ‘frequently asked questions’ site that is regularly updated. You can view at: http://gennetbb.geneseeisd.org/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=community&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_7307_1. 
Many questions are being addressed through this avenue. The above, bulleted interrogatories will be answered over time and as our culture assimilates the new reality of reform needed to retool and reinvigorate our economy. STWs, I predict, will be instrumental in this transformation.
One thing we know from the November 2009 USDOE report regarding online learning is that the ‘best’ scenario for student achievement is when there is a ‘blend’ of face to face and virtual experiences. We really know more than we think we know about the future if we step aside and look at what is happening today….This is especially the case in Michigan.
Leslie Wilson is President of One-to-One Institute (OTO), a national not-for-profit serving schools, districts, states and countries in their implementation of 21st century teaching and learning. She is co-authoring the national research initiative, Project Red (www.projectred.org).  Ms. Wilson’s consultancy, Wilson Public Sector Consulting, LLC, serves the education industry. She holds a BS Ed and completed Ed Leadership doctoral work from the University of Michigan, Sp Ed Administration endorsement from Eastern Michigan University and M. Ed in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University. 

 

 

 

 

 

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