A group of Iowa educators and lawmakers is exploring alternatives to school district consolidation, and one potential option is an increased reliance on online learning.
Historically, consolidation has been an answer for many states facing declining enrollments and funds. In Iowa, state Republican and Democratic lawmakers have organized a rural education task force to study the issue and come up with alternatives, according to a recent story in The Sioux City Journal. The state has seen 117 district reorganizations since 1965.
Gov. Terry Branstad proposed earlier this month expanding Iowa Learning Online, an online program run by the state’s department of education. Some see that as an option to avoid consolidation.
