Online learning program e2020 to continue in HVS

The Huron Valley School District will be continuing its online learning programming this year to accommodate specific student needs.

Since 2010, the district has utilized curriculum materials from a nationally recognized provider of online education programming, Education2020, also known as e2020. As part of the district’s e100 initiative, students at Harbor, Huron Valley Lakeland and Huron Valley Milford high schools — as well as students in the Adult Education Program — have completed curriculum requirements using this system.

“We started the e100 initiative some time ago to look at all ways to use electronic resources to enhance education,” said David Maile, the district’s director of secondary education.

This school year will be no exception. The district will continue its e100 initiative by providing students with online learning opportunities, an avenue for students — including students with special needs — to take courses outside of the school day to participate in educational and/or vocational opportunities and credit recovery.

“A lot of the programming is used for credit recovery, non-traditional students or those traditional students who want to accelerate,” Maile said. “That’s what’s nice about the program — meeting individual needs, but it’s only one tool in a toolbox.”

Maile warned that online learning is not an educational tool that works for everyone.

“The politicians make it seem like it’s a panacea, and it does help some and has been found useful, but others do not (have success with online learning), so we’re always trying to refine who does it and monitor success,” Maile said.

In an effort to continue these online learning opportunities, 150 e2020 licenses were purchased for the 2012-2013 school year to provide Harbor High School and Huron Valley Milford High School each with 30 concurrent seats, 60 seats at Huron Valley Lakeland High School, and an additional 30 seats for special education students.

“Every license can be used 24/7 a year and it is now centrally coordinated,” Maile said. “We did a usage study to see who is logged in at certain times. We don’t want to pay for licenses we don’t use.”

Through consortium pricing with Oakland Schools, the total cost for the program is estimated at $82,500, plus a 20-percent contingency for usage adjustments to add another 30 seats if needed.