KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Virtual Education in Kansas: 1998-2014

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Adams_ku_0099D_13469_DATA_1.pdf (1.833Mb)
    Issue Date
    2014-08-31
    Author
    Adams, Christina Marie
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    133 pages
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ed.D.
    Discipline
    Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    K-12 virtual education is a growing trend in American education. Virtual education is defined as K-12 online learning experiences led by district-affiliated teachers as part of a structured public school learning program that occur across a distance between the teacher and student in either synchronous or asynchronous modes. Since the first virtual program began in Kansas in 1998, program offerings have spread at a swift rate and now eighty-five districts, approximately thirty percent of all Kansas districts, currently operate virtual programs. As districts in Kansas continue to adopt or consider adopting virtual education as an alternative or supplement to traditional instruction, there is a need to understand the influencing factors surrounding adoption of this educational innovation as well as the pros and cons of this model. This case study exploration of virtual education in Kansas collected data from four sources. First, demographic data for districts utilizing virtual education were compiled from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) to examine district-level characteristics, such as urbanicity, socioeconomic status, and region in the state. Second, Kansas superintendents were surveyed to explore their perceptions about the educational quality of virtual education and the adoption or non-adoption in their districts. Third, virtual education program directors across the state were also surveyed to examine their perceptions of this model, and fourth, six follow-up interviews were carried out with program directors to understand their beliefs about the strengths and weaknesses of K-12 virtual education in Kansas. This study found that perceptions about the quality and merit of virtual education vary drastically by superintendents across the state of Kansas. Districts chose to adopt virtual education to access the perceived benefits of the model and other districts refrain from adopting virtual education in order to avoid the noted limitations of this model. Isomorphic mimicry is an underlying motivating factor influencing some districts to adopt virtual education in order to be like other districts and join the proverbial bandwagon of this growing trend. The major finding of this study is that virtual education is not a one-size-fits-all educational alternative for the majority of students; program directors clearly articulated that this is not the way in which most students will be successful. Thus, this study contributes to the overall understanding of K-12 virtual education nationwide and specifically articulates, through the voices of district leaders and program directors, the perceived challenges, limitations, and benefits of this model for students and districts in Kansas.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/15169
    Collections
    • Education Dissertations and Theses [1068]
    • Dissertations [4472]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps