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The essence of schooling has changed little in the past 200 years, a KU professor says. He's hoping to play a part in changing that.

A new virtual learning program will provide curriculum tailored to individual student interests and needs, and any K-8 student in Kansas will be eligible for it.

The Augusta school district has partnered with OpenEd – a tuition-free, flexible education program that allows students to create personalized learning experiences. The program is launching for K-8 students who live in Kansas, and it will provide certified teachers, state-approved curriculum and a range of resources for the creation of personalized learning plans.

While some students using OpenEd are entirely enrolled in online classes, many students do a split enrollment that blends traditional school classes in their district with additional learning opportunities online, according to the OpenEd website.

“The traditional model of home school might not be the best option for a younger child,” Superintendent of Augusta Public Schools Matt Ward told the Journal-World. ” … This gives more options to families who are looking for options at this time to be able to provide some of those educational services at home.”

Students in the online program will have the opportunity to take core subjects such as math, language arts, science, and social studies. Additionally, they can choose from a variety of elective courses tailored to their individual interests and needs, including technology and entrepreneurship, fine arts and more.

NPR reported in 2024 that public school enrollment in Kansas has decreased by roughly 16,000 students since its peak in 2015, reflecting a 3% decline compared to the 2014-2015 school year. Isaac Morehouse, CEO of OpenEd, believes that adding flexibility to school schedules can be a game-changer. He also thinks that offering OpenEd as an option in public schools could encourage families, especially those who have switched to homeschooling, to re-enroll in public education.

“For some families, the real benefits of doing virtual are the ability to have a little more flexibility with your schedule,” Morehouse said. “If you have a parent that works three days a week, but two days a week they’re home or they have to take their kid with them somewhere if they travel for work, they can do things virtually for that time. But when they’re home, they can do things in person.”

Students can also join a variety of clubs to be able to connect with other students who share similar interests. Some options include clubs for cake decorating, exercise, LEGO enthusiasts and more.

There are three main requirements to stay enrolled in the program, including submitting a brief weekly learning log as students progress through their courses, demonstrating active engagement with the curriculum and checking in with an assigned teacher periodically.

In addition, the Augusta school district is opening the Sunflower Virtual Academy, a virtual school option separate from OpenEd and geared towards high school students. This program will also be available statewide. Ward said that while this option is a more traditional virtual school, there are some options in what courses are available to students.

As the Journal-World reported, Yong Zhao, foundation distinguished professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies and Educational Psychology at KU, released a paper proposing a measured approach to providing small innovations that have the potential to grow into systemwide changes in which students are given more of a say in their learning. A more tailored approach vs. a standardized education, he says, is key in helping students achieve success.

Ward added that the landscape for education has changed, and it will continue to evolve along with technology and as other opportunities become available.

“It’s just an exciting time for us,” Ward said. He said that finding new opportunities for students to be successful and for families to be involved in their child’s education along with working on high quality efforts for student learning is something the Augusta school district is looking forward to.

The Augusta school district currently has waitlists for families interested in participating in the OpenEd program and the Sunflower Virtual Academy. To join a waitlist, visit the district’s virtual program page. Ward said the district will be reaching out to families over the next few months ahead of the 2025-2026 school year, when both programs will launch.