Grant helps Idaho schools plug into online classes

With $1.5 million in startup money from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, Khan Academy content will be provided in 47 schools, making Idaho the nation's first proving ground for a statewide implementation of the academy's free educational content and teaching model.

Schools selected to take part were picked from more than 75 applicants, with winners ranging from districts in the Treasure Valley to smaller, rural areas like Castleford, Cottonwood and Kellogg.

"Idaho has the students, the schools and the determination to succeed in showing the nation how to innovate within our public education system," said Jamie MacMillan, executive director of the Albertson Foundation. "Khan Academy is a demonstration of the learning revolution in Idaho."

The Khan Academy was founded in 2008 by former hedge fund analyst Salman Khan with the goal of making its courses in math, science, history and art available free through the Internet to students of all ages and backgrounds. The courses are available through videos, but the nonprofit also provides practice problems and data for reports and other projects.

Idaho schools will use a "flipped learning" method where students use video instruction as homework to learn new lessons and use class time for one-on-one instruction.

The Khan Academy has partnered previously with more than 40 schools in northern California, and last month Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim agreed to underwrite the translation of thousands of the organization's online classes into Spanish.