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House passes Schmick bill to
promote online learning programs
Measure would help rural students access
Web-course options
The state House Friday
completed work on legislation that would promote the availability of
online learning programs for high school students to earn college
credits.
Rep. Joe Schmick
introduced the measure (2SHB 3129) with an eye toward ensuring that
students who live in remote areas of the state have the information they
need to participate in the distance-learning options that are available.
The bill would direct the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
(OSPI) to compile and post information on its Web site about the
benefits of distance learning, how to access Web-delivered courses,
enroll and earn credits online.
“The Ninth District is largely rural, and people in many small towns
don’t have convenient access to community colleges and technical
schools,” said Schmick, R-Colfax. “This measure would give us an
additional tool to help students who reside in rural Washington to tap
into distance-learning opportunities, like Running Start, whether it’s
to fill in credit gaps or pursue an entire degree program.”
In addition to the OSPI Web-site posting, the bill calls for high
schools to ensure that teachers and counselors have information about
online learning programs. The measure also would require school
districts to provide general information about Internet distance
education to all 10th -, 11th - and 12th-grade students and their
parents.
Schmick noted that improved access and the availability of distance
education programs have provided convenient alternatives to attending
classes in person.
“Being separated by geographic distance from a conventional classroom
should not be a barrier to pursuing higher-education coursework. Thanks
to emerging technology, the Internet is removing those boundaries and
online classes are accessible just about anywhere. Our bill would help
us do a better job of closing the gap between where people live and
where educational resources exist,” he concluded.
The measure cleared the House 94-0 and now moves to the Senate for
further consideration.
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For more information, contact
Bill Taylor, Information Officer:
(360) 786-7074
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