Dive Brief:

• So far in 2014, 12 states have passed 17 education technology laws, according to Business Solutions Magazine.
• Most of the state ed tech laws are aimed at making existing online education programs stronger, both at the K-12 and higher ed levels.
• Seven states have passed virtual education laws: Colorado, Tennessee, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Six states have enacted legislation on distance learning and higher education issues: Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Dive Insight:

From the magazine’s perspective, the cyber learning and ed tech trends indicated by the legislation are creating a need for computer resellers and information technology providers. The laws include removing limits on attendance for virtual charter schools, developing digital textbooks and learning standards, providing state funding for virtual charter schools, and contracting with schools to create online courses and make them available to other schools.