Draft:OpenEd

OpenEd (formerly known as My Tech High) is an American education service provider that manages public-private partnerships between local school districts and families opting for individualized or home-centered learning. Founded in 2009, the company facilitates state-funded educational reimbursements and provides access to third-party online curricula.

History

The company was founded in 2009 in Utah as My Tech High by Matt and Amy Bowman to bridge the gap between traditional public school funding and home-based education. Initially operating within Utah, the organization partnered with local public school districts to enroll homeschool students as part-time public school students, allowing them to access state education funds.[1]

Over the following decade, the company expanded its operations into multiple states, including Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon. In 2024, following a leadership transition to CEO Isaac Morehouse, the company rebranded from My Tech High to OpenEd to reflect its broader focus on alternative and decentralized education models.[2][failed verification]

Operating model

OpenEd operates on a public-private partnership model. The company contracts with local public school districts to administer a program where students are officially enrolled in the district but complete their coursework remotely or at home.

In exchange for managing the enrollment and compliance reporting, OpenEd and the partner districts share the per-pupil state funding. A portion of this funding is then allocated to families via a "reimbursement wallet." Families can use these funds to purchase approved educational materials, technology, or enroll in third-party educational marketplaces and curricula, such as Outschool or Acellus. Students are typically required to check in periodically with a certified teacher to maintain their funding eligibility.[3]

Regulatory scrutiny and funding controversies

Because OpenEd's model relies on directing public education funds toward home-based learning, it has been the subject of regulatory scrutiny and legislative debate regarding accountability and the classification of students.

Colorado

In Colorado, the program faced significant challenges regarding whether the education provided was "teacher-led" or "parent-led." In 2024, the Colorado State Board of Education proposed rule changes stipulating that instruction must be overseen by licensed teachers to qualify for public funding, putting the My Tech High model at risk for elementary-aged students.[3] Several rural districts, such as the Vilas School District and Plainview School District, had relied heavily on enrolling online homeschoolers through OpenEd to boost their overall student counts and state funding. Following the tightening of state rules regarding eligible funding models, OpenEd ceased its operations in Colorado, leading to significant budget shortfalls for the rural districts that had utilized the program.[4]

Utah

In its home state of Utah, the company's financial tracking and reimbursement processes were the subject of a 2024 Utah Legislative Audit. The audit examined the oversight mechanisms for how state educational funds were being utilized by families through the third-party provider, raising questions about accountability in decentralized public education funding.

Nevada

The organization's model has also drawn caution from independent homeschooling advocacy groups. The Nevada Homeschool Network, among others, has warned that enrolling in such publicly funded partnerships legally changes a student's status from a "homeschooler" to a public school student, thereby subjecting families to state testing and public school regulations.

References

  1. ^ "My Tech High: Helping students in the pandemic with online learning". KUTV. 2020-08-20.
  2. ^ "Education startup My Tech High rebrands to OpenEd amid national expansion". BBC News. 2024-09-12.
  3. ^ a b Boyd, Shaun (2024-02-16). "Program that helps thousands of Colorado homeschooled kids at risk of losing funding". CBS Colorado.
  4. ^ Breunlin, Erica (2025-03-26). "Rural Colorado school districts that once served students online could see brunt of major state budget cuts". The Colorado Sun.

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