Digital Advocacy Group Wields Policy Influence

When the educational technology advocacy group Digital Learning Now! revealed its first state report cards gauging where states stand in supporting online learning, it was in part applying the adage that what gets measured gets done.

Observers say the report cards, which were released in 2011 to rate states according to 10 elements of what the group considers high-quality digital learning, have already had an impact on state policy and are likely to help guide future decisions about online learning. "Without question, [the organization's goals] are showing up in the legislation," said Douglas Levin, the executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association. "A vast majority of states have put this on their agenda in one way or another."