The Miami-Dade County school district is the fourth largest school district in the U.S.
In November 2011, nonprofit research firm SRI International released a year-long (school year 2010-2011) analysis of how the Miami-Dade County public school district—one of the largest in the county and the Florida Virtual School—a state-wide, Internet-based public high school with the highest enrollment in the country--introduced blended learning. The SRI researchers collected information on 5,500 students in 38 public high schools through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and site visits to seven schools. Here is a copy of the full report, called Implementing Online Learning Labs in Schools and Districts.
"We found that how schools implement blended learning—such as orientation sessions to prepare students and staff for what may be a new style of learning—makes a huge difference in student experiences and ultimately on student outcomes," said Marianne Bakia, Ph.D., senior policy analyst at SRI International’s Center for Technology in Learning and lead author of the report. "This report provides a guide and starting point for high schools implementing a mix of online and classroom learning. In addition, the report provides research-based recommendations for schools with traditionally underserved students and offers recommendations for new, targeted efforts to help support student success.
