Sustaining small rural schools via e-learning

Many small rural schools have been closed during the reform movement. A mountain of studies
suggest that small school have various advantages. Despite these advantages, small schools are
still in danger of closure and consolidation. However, the advent of internet is a ray of hope to
sustain small schools in rural areas. Many K-12 online programs across the world are providing
educational opportunities to students. Most of those virtual schools have focus on urban and
suburban students. However, the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) has been
established to provide equitable access to educational opportunities to rural students. The author
has outlined a short history of distance education in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Various issues of e-learning at the K-12 have been identified. It is also intended that the e-learning
model which is being used in the province can provide a model to sustain small schools across the
globe.