West Virginia Virtual School:

Course Options for Course Options for StudentsStudents

Sharon Gainer, WVVS Registrar

Office of Technology and Office of Technology and

Information SystemsInformation Systems

West Virginia Department of EducationWest Virginia Department of Education

Why Distance Learning Courses?

A significant share of West Virginia’s students live in rural areas, and attend small schools.WV has a decreasing population base, and this has resulted in public school staff cuts.WVVS was created “to offer high quality educational courses via Internet technology to all students.” In this setting, technological solutions are a key to assuring equitable access to education.

Created by legislation July 1, 2000 (House Bill 4319)WV Legislature based the bill on findings of need and capacity, addressing the primary need to provide instruction to students who are “geographically disadvantaged.”West Virginia State Board Policy 2450 was revised October 18, 2000, to support new DL initiatives.Policy sets forth directives for course approval, course management, course materials, evaluation of pupil progress, technology access, and funding.

WVVS ModelWV does not currently have the resources to create and deliver web-based courses (the current exception to this is Spanish).WVVS delivery model involves:

identifying providers that offer both high-quality courses and course delivery options.identifying quality courses that align with corresponding state content standards.

WVVS model requires that the course provider make available an online teacher to direct and guide the student through the learning process.Content + Electronic Delivery + Online Teacher = Tuition Model currently used by WVVS

Role of WVVSWVVS operates as a broker for state’s public schools and facilitates operational areas of delivery.WVVS evaluates and selects providers.WVVS evaluates and approves courses.WVDE negotiates statewide prices for services.

WVVS currently provides 100% of tuition through a grant funded by the WV Legislature and awarded through a joint partnership of the WV Educational Broadcasting Authority and the WV Department of Education.*Tuitions can be funded until the funds have been expended.*

Course Evaluations

Course and provider quality are the keys that will determine student success.Teams of content specialists receive training in the pedagogy of online teaching and learning.Teams are trained on evaluation procedures and documents.Courses are evaluated by alignment with state content standards and objectives and by the SREB’s “Essential Principles of Quality” checklist.This process results in the course approval catalog posted on web site.

What you need to know…All courses meet WV State Curriculum Goals and ObjectivesCounselors insure that courses fit students’ educational programsSome courses are electives—must be approved by countyAP courses come from course provider, not WVVS (College Board Requirements)Student must be in WVEIS

One Size Does NOT Fit All

Learning styleTechnology expertiseComputer availabilityIndependenceMotivationExtracurricular commitmentsFamily commitmentsTime of year

Which Students are a Good Fit for Virtual Courses?

Student seeking higher level challengesextra creditsclass not offered at his schoolcredit recoverycareer explorationaddition to home schooling or home-bound instruction

How are Classes Scheduled?

In a class period in the lab called virtual learning—random coursesFull group instructionSit-in studentIndependently at homeBefore or after schoolIn the summer

What Kinds of Courses are Available?Fine Arts—15 coursesForeign Language—65 coursesHealth—4 coursesMath—54 coursesPhysical Education—3 coursesReading and Lang. Arts—49 coursesScience—30 coursesSocial Studies—72 coursesTech. and Career—19 coursesMiddle School—9 courses

Core Classes

Health—full creditReading and Language Arts—4 creditsMath—4 creditsScience—4 credits (Physical Science?)Social Studies—4 creditsPhysical Education—no credit

Other Graduation Requirements

Fine Arts creditForeign Language—2 years of six languagesMany elective choices

WVVS Additions for

2009-10 School Year

WVVS Registration Procedures

Registration Procedure – Pre-registration

Student pre-registers request for course(s) at: http://virtualschool.k12.wv.us (Enroll in a Course link)

Pre-registration is mandatory. This step is how all necessary student information for enrollment is gathered. Contacts can register (this replaces student pre-registration) and approve students at the same time.

Next Steps After Enrollment Approval

Contact’s approval of request is automatically forwarded to WVVS Registrar.Registrar reviews and evaluates the school contact’s approval.Automatic emails detailing provider-specific registration instructions are sent to the student, parent and the school contact.

Registration leading to course start is NOT complete until provider-specific registration requirements are met.

Course Providers and Effective Mentoring and Monitoring of Students

WVVS Course Providers

AMDG, Inc.BYUAPEX LearningAventa LearningFlorida Virtual SchoolMountaineer VirtualVirtual GreenbushWest Virginia Virtual School

http://virtualschool.k12.wv.us

Tips for Successful Facilitation

Good Practice is Good PracticeSelect Students with CareSet Expectations for Students and ParentsConference with Students to Monitor ProgressCheck Reports WeeklyReport GradesBring Issues to Registrar in Timely Manner

And now…

What are your questions?What are your concerns?What are your comments?

Contact Information

Sharon Gainer, Registrar, West Virginia Virtual School

sgainer@access.k12.wv.us toll-free at 866-593-8065Anne Meadows, Asst. Director, WVDE Office of Technology ameadows@access.k12.wv.us 304.957.9833 Ext. 53433