Matt Wicks, Vice President of Efficacy Research and Reporting at Pearson Online & Blended Learning, will present new, independently-audited research comparing the performance of Connections Academy virtual public schools to their traditional school counterparts. The study found comparable performance at online and traditional schools after adjusting for the impact of student mobility and other key factors (the virtual school population is roughly twice as mobile as the ‘brick and mortar’ population). The findings will interest Conference attendees, as many students enroll in virtual schools after floundering in traditional schools; many are served by a range of ESEA programs. Additionally, the new research further validates the negative impact of mobility on student learning. Mr. Wicks will present research findings and study methodology; and discuss ramifications for future accountability frameworks for all public schools serving highly mobile student populations.

One or more presenters on this session represent an organization selling products or providing services to the ESEA market.