Events › Upcoming Pioneer Events

Removing the Barriers: Virtual Schools and State Regulations

Thursday, March 1, 2012 — 3:00 - 5:15 pm

Omni Parker House, 60 School Street, Boston

Digital learning is becoming increasingly popular across the country. However, some states have implemented regulations that have hindered the movement's progress, barring access to online education for hundreds of thousands of children. In December, Pioneer held an event and released a publication introducing online learning and its implementation. Join us for this follow-up forum, describing some of the regulatory barriers.

The keynote address will be delivered by Susan Patrick, President and CEO of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), the leading voice for the emerging field of online and blended learning. She is the former Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. This event is co-sponsored by Pioneer Institute, Florida Virtual Schools, Democrats for Education Reform, and the Program on Education Policy and Governance (PEPG) at Harvard University. A panel discussion will follow, featuring Julie Young, President and CEO of Florida Virtual School.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by Thursday, February 23rd to Brian Patterson at 617-723-2277, ext. 217 or bpatterson at pioneerinstitute.org.

No More Know-Nothing Laws: School Choice in Massachusetts

Thursday, March 15, 2012 — TIME: TBD

LOCATION: TBD

Pioneer Institute, in conjunction with the Black Alliance for Education Options, Democrats for Education Reform and Harvard University’s Program on Education Policy and Governance, will hold a forum on obstacles to school choice, such as the Blaine Amendments, and strategies for revocation.

The keynote address will be delivered by Kevin Chavous, noted attorney, author and national school reform leader. As Chair of the District of Columbia Council’s Education Committee, Mr. Chavous was at the forefront of promoting change within the public school system. Through his efforts, over $500 million new dollars became available for the education of D.C.'s children. Mr. Chavous will be introduced by Jay Greene, the 21st Century Chair in Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. Mr. Greene researches and writes about education policy, school choice, high school graduation rates, accountability, and special education. A panel of experts will be moderated by Thomas Finneran, WRKO radio host and former Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by Thursday, March 8th to Brian Patterson at 617-723-2277, ext. 217 or bpatterson at pioneerinstitute.org.