Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative
Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
- This strategy can help address educational disparities. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
- Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Program overview
- Combines an online learning platform and support environment with in-person classes
- The goal is to provide comparable or better instruction while reducing costs and time spent
- Provides full courses and learning materials to both learners and instructors at low or no cost while providing the instructor with a platform to track student achievement and progress
- Target Population
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Students enrolled in post-secondary education
- Cost per Participant
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Not available
Evidence and impacts
Ranked as having the second-highest level of evidence by the U.S. Department of Education What Works Clearinghouse
- Increased academic achievement
- Increased credit accumulation and persistence
Best practices in implementation
- Note: This content is under review
- Partnerships between educational institutions and internet service providers can ensure that greater numbers of students have internet access and are thus able to take part in open learning curricula.
- Technological specialists can help instructors transition material to online platforms, improving the learning experience for students.
- Creating easy-to-use feedback systems enables instructors to adapt course materials to student preferences.
- Investments in digital infrastructure improvements are often necessary in ensuring that open learning initiatives perform adequately.