By: Hailey Fitch, Communications Manager, FlexPoint

The Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) is only a few weeks away in Atlanta, Ga., on Feb. 24-26. This unique conference brings together digital learning leaders and practitioners from across the nation, allowing them to share best practices and insights to elevate the work they’re already doing and support even more students. 

I’m excited to share that our FlexPoint team has four presentations at DLAC 2025, featuring online learning experts across our instructional, curriculum, and research teams. 

Review the information below to determine which presentations you’re interested in attending. 

Presentation 1: Tried and True: Evidence-Based Practices for K-12 Online Teaching

Details at a glance: 

• Session Type: Table Talks
• Date: Monday, Feb. 24
• Time: 3:15-3:50 p.m. 
• Location: Skyline 2
• FlexPoint Presenters: April Fleetwood, Ed. D., director of research, evaluation, and planning, and Brianne Flory, director of instruction

K-12 online schools have become common in this digital era. Although there is much room for research on the topic of best practices in the online classroom, its growing prevalence has led to a much broader literature base than was available five to 10 years ago. 

However, rapid advances in technology combined with the incredible creativity our teachers bring to their online classrooms outpace the research reports of tangible examples educators need. In this session, April Fleetwood, director of research, evaluation, and planning, and Brianne Flory, director of instruction will: 

• Provide space for new and experienced online educators to share what they have learned has worked well (and not so well) in the online learning environment.
• Discuss researched best practices that drive student success so attendees can walk away with tangible takeaways they can implement in the virtual classroom. 

To add this table talk to your calendar, visit the DLAC 2025 program.

Presentation 2: A Framework to Ensure Quality Instruction in the Online Learning Environment 

Details at a glance: 

• Session Type: Explore and Engage
• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25
• Time: 2-2:45 p.m. 
• Location: M106/107
• FlexPoint Presenters: Kimberly Rugh, director of quality programs, Jason Odom, director of instruction, and KJ Anderson, instructional leader

We all know that the quality of digital curriculum and technology platforms are critical to student success in an online learning environment. Instructional quality is just as important. 

Educational effectiveness research has demonstrated the link between teacher quality and student learning. Through careful articulation, measurement, and analysis, digital learning programs can ensure instructor practices align with organizational expectations while optimizing student learning experiences. 

In this session, seasoned online instruction experts with a combined 46 years of experience will share the best practices they’ve learned to ensure quality instruction in the digital learning environment. Attendees will:

• Learn how to identify instructional quality metrics in their digital learning environment.
• Discover how to align instructional practices with organizational expectations. 

To add this explore and engage session to your calendar, visit the DLAC 2025 program.

Presentation 3: Best Practices for Serving Homeschool Students in a Digital Environment 

Details at a glance: 

• Session Type: Explore and Engage
• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26
• Time: 10:55-11:40 a.m. 
• Location: A705
• FlexPoint Presenters: Anne Flenner, school counseling team manager, and Meghan Reites, M.Ed., ED.S school counseling team manager

As homeschooling continues to be the fastest-growing form of education in the U.S., and more than 60% of parents consider new school options, it's critical that schools and districts have the resources they need to support homeschool students in the online environment. 

In this session, seasoned online school counselors will share: 

• How to develop robust support systems that create a personalized learning experience for every student. 
• The importance of offering a variety of services to homeschool students and what those services should look like.
• Practical takeaways that will allow attendees to apply their own support systems to increase homeschool student engagement, achievement, and retention.

To add this explore and engage session to your calendar, visit the DLAC 2025 program.

Presentation 4: Bridging the Gap: Empowering Students with Career and Technical Education from Elementary to Employment

Details at a glance: 

• Session Type: Contributed Talk
• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26
• Time: 1:30-1:50 p.m. 
• Location: A705
• FlexPoint Presenters: Amy Heflin and Jaimi Gruler, senior managers of curriculum development

Every student, regardless of age, gender, race, or socio-economic background, should have the opportunity to connect with learning that excites them and meets them where they are. Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses provide students with a path, starting at an early age, preparing them to be successful in life and the workforce. The employment landscape is ever-changing, so now more than ever, it’s critical that we prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions. Beginning in elementary school, we can set students up for success through exposure to CTE courses and experiences.

In this session, attendees will learn: 

• How to bridge the gender, race, and socio-economic gap through CTE courses.
• Ways to incorporate CTE, beginning in elementary school.
• Steps needed to elevate CTE programs so that what employers need is paired with what students are excited about. 
• Best practices to research local job markets and create hands-on experiences.
• Tips to help students gain employability skills.

To add this contributed talk to your calendar, visit the DLAC 2025 program.

If you’re attending DLAC, we hope to see you there. Visit us at booth 311 in the Exhibit Hall at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis to get a quick demo of a PreK-12 course and meet the team. 

To receive up-to-date information during the conference, follow us on LinkedIn.