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A Summary of Research on the Effectiveness of K-12 Online Learning
This memo examines the outcomes of existing studies on K-12 learning effectiveness, and it provides a literature review of these studies. A number of rigorous studies have asked the question, “Is online learning effective?” However, there is not a...
Deepening Student Learning in Three Kentucky Communities
The Aurora Institute toured three Kentucky sites in 2025 to elevate lessons from past work and to assess progress to date and goals for the future. Using document review, on-the-ground interviews, observation, and existing expertise in deeper...
The State of Competency-Based Education Policy Map
The State of Competency-Based Education Policy Map is an interactive tool developed in partnership with KnowledgeWorks. Designed to highlight state-level innovation, this map provides a comprehensive overview of how K-12 education policies...
Community Schools Case Study Project
Introduction We know that there are many models of innovative learning aimed at systems transformation. This case study series aims to explore the work of community schools, who take a whole-community approach to education that aligns with the...
Keeping Pace with K-12 Digital Learning, 12th Edition
This is the 12th annual Keeping Pace report. The digital learning world continues to change significantly each year, but the continued support from sponsors, educators, education agencies, state virtual schools, vendors and others has not faltered....
Understanding the Implications of Online Learning for Educational Productivity
The purpose of this report is to support administrators and policymakers in becoming informed consumers of information about online learning and its potential impact on productivity. It provides foundational knowledge and a conceptual framework,...
iNACOL Research Agenda
iNACOL publishes a research agenda on an ongoing basis to continue its work in field-building, capacity-building and knowledge-building. Based on a 2013 survey of the field to identify research needs, iNACOL developed a research approach, including...
Going Virtual! Unique Needs and Challenges of K-12 Online Teachers
The findings in this report represent Phase II of the Going Virtual! research series. In this report, we posed the question, “What are the unique needs and challenges of K‐12 online teachers?” The first phase of the Going Virtual! research series,...
Performance-Based Funding & Online Learning: Maximizing Resources for Student Success
The report is focused on performance-based funding and the costs in online learning programs. This study examines the variety of funding models for K-12 online learning, explores adequacy costs, and outlines the guiding principles of...
Education Policy Issues for the COVID-19 Era: Policy Actions and Responses to Leverage the Moment for Future Readiness
As school districts deliberate over reopening schools with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, we’ve developed this report with strategic guidance on how to harness our current opportunity to transform K-12 education. Education Policy Issues for...
Innovation Zones: Policy Flexibility to Reimagine and Modernize K-12 Education Post-COVID-19
Innovation zones represent an important policy lever states can use as K-12 reimagines its future post-COVID. Innovation zones are created through state legislation to give schools and districts freedom from burdensome administrative regulations....