1. Get more info on this report!
Moving Online: K-12 Distance Learning Market Forecast 2010
March 22, 2010
Moving Online: K-12 Distance Learning Market Forecast 2010 is a new publication
from Simba Information that applies Simba‟s time-tested analytics to the K-12 online
learning market to provide crucial business and market intelligence on this growing
segment of the school market.
Specifically for this report, Simba Information partnered with leading education market
research firm Market Data Retrieval to conduct a survey of public school- and district-
level administrators on their current use of and their plans for implementing online
courses through 2012.
Survey topics include:
The percent of students taking online courses,
The breakdown of online courses among grade levels,
The most popular subjects of courses offered online,
Funding and cost estimates
Use of leading commercial vendors for online course offerings and platforms,
Types of instructional materials most widely used in online courses.
The data and analysis in Moving Online: K-12 Distance Learning Market Forecast
2010 is designed to provide usable guidance on where implementation of online
courses is growing the fastest, what factors are driving that growth and the current and
future opportunity for marketers and developers of products and services for the school
market.
Moving Online: K-12 Distance Learning Market Forecast 2010 also provides state
and district case studies to personalize the trends and opportunities available through
the implementation of online courses.
Among the topics covered in the report are:
The size and structure of the online course segment in the K-12 market,
What elements of online courses are making their way into traditional

2. classrooms,
The leading providers of online courses and services,
How online models are widening access to more challenging courses, opening
pathways for credit recovery, expanding instructional resources for struggling
students and facilitating a bridge from high school to higher education.
Moving Online: K-12 Distance Learning Market Forecast 2010 is an essential tool
for publishing, editorial, marketing, business development and investment professionals
responsible for creating strategies to harness the potential for online learning.
Additional Information
Stamford, CT—March 30, 2010—Interest is growing in online learning courses in the
kindergarten through grade 12 school segment, and more than half of the nation‟s
public elementary and secondary schools could be offering students online learning
programs within the next two years, media industry forecast and analysis firm Simba
Information projects in its most recent research report, Moving Online: K-12 Distance
Learning Market Forecast 2010.
According to a survey conducted by Simba Information and Market Data Retrieval in
February 2010, about one-third of schools have some kind of online program in 2009-
2010, and another 20% expect a program will be started by 2011-2012.
“The anticipated expansion of the implementation of online learning is spurred not only
by the economy and education budget constraints but by the increasing recognition of
the need to engage students as individuals and the rapid proliferation of computer
technologies,” said Kathy Mickey, senior analyst/managing editor of Simba‟s Education
Group.
The jointly conducted Simba Information/Market Data Retrieval survey of district- and
school-level administrators featured in the new report provides greater understanding of
who offers online courses and what purposes the courses serve.
Another key feature of the report is the detailed examination of current and developing
programs through six case studies at the district, state and consortium levels.
Publishers, marketing, sales and business development professionals, as well as
industry analysts and consultants, will gain insights into:
The most widely deployed uses of online courses;
Market segments with the most penetration and most anticipated growth;
Types of instructional materials most in demand in online courses;
How components of online courses are being integrated into mainstream
classes.

3. For additional information please visit www.simbainformation.com or contact Kathy
Mickey at 203-325-8193 x102.
About Simba Information:
Simba Information is widely recognized as the leading authority for market intelligence
in the media and publishing industry. Simba's extensive information network delivers top
quality, independent perspective on the people, events and alliances shaping the media
and information industry. Simba provides consulting and reports that provide key
decision-makers at more than 15,000 client companies around the globe with timely
analysis, exclusive statistics and proprietary industry forecasts. For more information,
please visit www.simbainformation.com.
Table of Contents
Methodology
Executive Summary
Chapter 1: Online Education on the Rise
Online Courses will Change Education
Market Failure Spurs Growth
Definitions Are Fluid in Rapidly Changing Environment
Costs Are Low Benefits High
The Goal Is Individualized Instruction
Getting a Grip on Achievement and Accountability
Online a Boon for Students Who Struggle
Unexpected Benefits Have Appeared
Methods, Purposes Are Multiplying
Web 2.0 Techniques Are Controversial
Gaming Integrated Into Courses
Availability of Online Learning Varies Across States
Charter Schools Embrace Virtual Education
Department of Defense Offers a Federal Example
Rural Small School Communities Fill Needs
Advancement Is Popular
Stemming Losses, Gaining New Students
Schools Approach Cautiously
Federal Policies Add to Momentum
Table 1.1: Projected Growth of Elementary and Secondary School Population
Table 1.2: Online Learning Definitions Vary, Overlap
Table 1.3: Arizona Pilot Project Cost Per Pupil Comparison
Table 1.4: Alabama Equips 21st Century Distance Learning Classrooms

4. Table 1.5: 2007 8th Grade Reading Proficiency
Table 1.6: States‟ Online Learning Initiatives
Table 1.7: Virtual High School AP Success Rate
Chapter 2: Online Learning in Schools
Overview
Growth in Schools Offering Online Instruction
What Students Are Taking and Why
Range of Providers Offer Courses
Many Vendors Offer Courses
Funding for Online Learning
Projected Funding Trends for Online Learning
Virtual Learning Environments Support Online Learning
Core Course Materials Used with Online Learning
Formative Assessments Usually Come with Course
Online Learning Elements Integrate into Classrooms
Table 2.1: Percent of Schools Offering Online Learning
Table 2.2: Percent of Districts Offering Online Learning
Table 2.3: Percent of Schools Planning to Offer Online Learning
Table 2.4: Percent of Districts Planning to Offer Online Learning
Table 2.5: Number of Years Schools Have Offered Online Courses
Table 2.6: Main Reasons Schools Offer Online Courses
Table 2.7: Access to AP Courses Online, Current and Projected
Table 2.8: Most Frequent Sources for Online Courses
Table 2.9: Use of Commercial Providers of Online Courses
Table 2.10: Funding Sources for Online Learning
Table 2.11: Funding Trends for Online Learning, Projected 2011-12
Table 2.12: Virtual Learning Environments Used with Online Learning
Table 2.13: Core Curriculum Materials Used for Online Learning
Table 2.14: Sources for Formative Assessments Used with Online Learning
Table 2.15: Classroom Integration of Online Applications
Chapter 3: Online Education Case Studies
Four States, One District and One Consortium Show the Way
Case Study: Alabama
Case Study: Arizona
Case Study: Michigan
Case Study: Texas
Case Study: Lee County, Fla.
Case Study: Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium
Chapter 4: Implications and Outlook
Introduction
Issue: Quality and Accreditation
Issue: Catching up with Technology
Issue: Devil in the Details

5. Opportunities to Move Beyond „Old Mindset‟
Opportunity: Help for Special Needs and Struggling Students
Opportunity: Districts Attracted to District-Level Programs
Opportunity: Competition and Investment in Content
Expected Growth for Digital Materials
Free or Low-Cost Resources for Districts
Keys to Growth
Key: Funding Support
Key: Innovative Technology
Key: Innovative Thinking
Key: Teacher Training
Strong Impact Expected
Chapter 5: Who’s Who Among Online Learning Course Providers
Advanced Academics, Inc.
Apex, Inc.
Blackboard, Inc.
Connections Academy
Desire2Learn, Inc.
Elluminate
Florida Virtual School
K12, Inc.
KC Distance Learning
Virtual High School
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