Virtual School Meanderings

January 28, 2012

Allied Online High School Blog

From the inbox earlier today…

Allied Online High School Blog

Link to Allied Online High School Blog

ANHS Accreditation News

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 03:31 PM PST


As part of our ongoing school improvement efforts, Allied National High School will be visited by one of our accrediting bodies, AdvancEd, on March 12-14. The goal of the visit is to determine our next accreditation term.The AdvancEd team will be evaluating our self assessment and executive summary reports, looking at evidence of our report findings, as well as meeting with parents, students, and staff. This is a very important occasion for ANHS, and we invite all interested parent and student volunteers to contact us today to learn more about how they can participate in the visit. To learn more about AdvancEd, you can visit their website.Here is an excerptthat explains a little bit about who they are, and what they do.”AdvancED is the world’s largest education community, serving more than 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 69 countries that educate over 15 million students. We believe that students must be prepared to succeed in a constantly-evolving and diverse world and that educational institutions have a deep responsibility to deliver quality education to students from all walks of life.”As the global leader in advancing education excellence through accreditation and school improvement, AdvancED brings together more than 100 years of experience and the expertise of the two largest US-based accreditation agencies — the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).The AdvancED Accreditation Process, a protocol embraced around the world, is a clear and comprehensive program of evaluation and external review, supported by research-based standards, and dedicated to helping schools, districts and education providers continuously improve.”

With Online High School Programs, Participation is Key to Success!

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 11:23 AM PST

Participation has been held as a key factor for achieving academic success for many years, and online education is no exception to this golden rule. A student’s level of participation in online schooling is a good indicator of their overall success. The reason why this is true is simple; an active student who is engaged in the curriculum has more opportunities to learn than a student who is not participating or is only active once in a while.

Additionally, online high school can require even higher levels of student participation to activate meaningful learning opportunities because of the asynchronous nature of the learning environment. As a result, many online schools are beginning to adopt participation policies and requirements for their students to help them achieve academic success.

Allied National High School is at the forefront of this movement and has taken this approach to the next level by developing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Plan to promote participation and successful course completion. There are three components of the SAP Plan.

  • Monthly progress reports
  • Monthly phone calls
  • Course participation grades

The progress reports and phone calls occur once per month and provide students and parents with updated information on progress and approaching deadline dates.

The participation grade component of the plan consists of students receiving a grade, worth 10% of the total course grade, based on their ability to complete the course within their deadline date. There are two grade items in each course; one in the middle of the course, and one after the final examination. Students need to complete the first grade item within three months of their start date in order to earn 5% toward their participation grade. Students have another opportunity to earn 5% toward the participation grade if they complete the remainder of the course within six months, or by their deadline date.

Our hope is that this new plan will motivate students to complete their courses on time, stay active throughout their enrollments, and ultimately reach all of their academic goals.

Image by scui3asteveo

Planning For Success at ANHS

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 11:21 AM PST

Allied National High School helps students taking online high school courses succeed by offering free scheduling advice. The Dean of Instruction creates customized schedules for students that need help planning their lessons upon request. Some students need assistance with creating a schedule that will work around their job, and other obligations. While others needs to catch up on some courses where they have fallen behind. Parents also ask for this type of assistance so they can help their child set academic goals and reward them as they hit weekly and monthly benchmarks.

Some students prefer to work on one course at a time, and complete an entire lesson including the reading, online lesson, assignment, discussion board, and quiz. This is a great way to plan course work because once they are done with that lesson; they do not have to work on that subject for a whole week. While other students prefer to work on a part of a lesson for each subject everyday; this is similar to a traditional classroom schedule and a comfortable pace for many students. Students can rotate what days they work on a specific subject, or keep it the same each week. Another creative scheduling solution is for students to double-up on two of their favorite subjects, and complete two lessons in one day, giving them a free day to catch up on other courses, study, or just relax. Below is a sample school schedule of one of our students.

Day/Course
Monday – English 9B
Tuesday – World History B
Wednesday – Psychology
Thursday – Algebra
Friday – US History

The scheduling options are endless, but having a schedule for online schooling is an important part of planning to be a successful online student. In order to reach your goals, you must first know what they are. Creating a schedule can help you set those goals and reach them with ease.

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Allied High School Now Offers Preparation for the GED® Tests!

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 11:12 AM PST

We are pleased to announce the newest addition to the Allied National High School course offerings: Allied’s Guided Online Preparation for the GED® Test and Allied’s Self-Paced Online Preparation for the GED® Test. ANHS created these courses in response to the large number of inquiries we receive from prospective students that want to move on to post secondary goals as quickly as possible, and are not looking to complete their high school diploma.

Taking the ANHS preparation courses will help a student prepare for the GED® tests. The GED® tests are offered nationally at local testing centers by the American Council on Education. Once a student passes all five GED® tests, they will have met the basic requirements to enter into many post secondary schools and vocational programs. Many employers also require employees to have either a high school diploma or GED® certificate.

Both preparation courses offer students the curriculum they will need to prepare for the GED® tests. Our courses combine a well known preparation textbook, Contemporary’s Essential GED®, with online lessons and quizzes created by ANHS faculty. The guided course offers the additional benefit of having an instructor to help student’s master concepts, and provide feedback on the essay component of the preparation course. Students will have nine months to complete either of the courses, but some students will be able to complete much sooner than that because there is a pre-test component that determines which areas a student needs to focus on during their preparation. In addition, the self paced nature of the courses allows students to work through the curriculum as quickly or slowly as needed to master the course concepts.

For more information on these new course offerings and the GED® tests, please visit the website.

Conference Update: Blended Learning (Milwaukee) & Emerging Tech for Online Learning (Las Vegas)

From the inbox overnight…

Emerging Technologies for Online Learning (Las Vegas) – Call for Presentations Open through March 55th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium
A joint symposium of the Sloan Consortium and MERLOT
July 25-27, 2012
The Venetian/Palazzo Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
http://sloanconsortium.org/et4online
We invite you to submit a proposal for the 5th Annual Sloan-C/MERLOT Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium in Las Vegas. The Call for Presentations ends Monday, March 5.

The Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium, a joint Symposium of Sloan Consortium and MERLOT, is designed to bring together individuals interested in the review and evaluation of online teaching and learning technologies.

Faculty, students, instructional designers, instructional The Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium, a joint Symposium of Sloan Consortium and MERLOT, is designed to bring together individuals interested in the review and evaluation of online teaching and learning technologies. technologists and academic administrators are encouraged to submit proposals which are engaging, informative and interactive. These sessions can be targeted to all attendees or beginners, intermediates, or experts. Symposium tracks highlight and demonstrate research, application and effective practices and noteworthy technological tools in the following areas:

  • Digital Learning Environments & Communities
  • Accessible Learning for All
  • Evidence-based Learning and Reflection
  • Learning and Data Analytics
  • Faculty Development and Learning Support
  • Innovation in Media and Tools

Proposals for presentations must be submitted by March 5, 2012 at http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2012/et4online/call-for-presentations.

Register now for Blended Learning Conference and Workshop (Milwaukee) – Early bird registration ends Feb. 23

9th Annual Sloan-C Blended Learning Conference and Workshop
“Perfecting the Blend”
April 23-24, 2012
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee – Milwaukee, WI
http://www.sloanconsortium.org/blended
Join your colleagues at the 9th Annual Sloan Consortium Blended Learning Conference and Workshop, Perfecting the Blend, as we problem-solve, exchange ideas, and explore effective strategies about blended learning. Attendees will be able to attend two days of sessions including interactive workshops, information sessions, poster sessions, a plenary session, and a keynote address, all focused on instructional practices, academic planning, faculty development, and assessment/evaluation.

  • Register now for special early bird pricing of $445 for Sloan-C members, $495 for regular attendees. Early bird pricing ends February 23.
  • Make your hotel reservations between now and April 8 to receive a special conference rate of $139/night plus tax at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. Attendees who register through our website will receive complimentary guest room internet service throughout the conference.
  • Sign-up for updates on the Blended Learning Conference. You will be notified when the full program is posted (early February) and receive periodic updates on conference news.

The Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C), sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is composed of institutions and organizations dedicated to continually improving the quality, scale, and breadth of their online programs, according to their own distinctive missions, so that education becomes a part of everyday life, accessible and affordable for anyone, anywhere, at any time, in a wide variety of disciplines.

The Sloan Consortium – PO Box 1238 – Newburyport, MA 01950-8238

NCVPS E-Learning Advisors Portal – E-lerts

From Thursday’s inbox…

NCVPS E-Learning Advisors Portal – E-lerts


NCVPS E-lert for January 25, 2012

Posted: 25 Jan 2012 11:52 AM PST

_::::::::::::::: Join the NCVPS Community :::::::::::::::
Be Empowered – Know the Trends in E-learningAre paper shortages cramping your school?  21st -century educators don’t say “Turn it in,” they say “Publish it!”  Read about it here.E-learning Success StoriesELAs, teachers, administrators, parents, and students, submit your stories here: http://goo.gl/MMt7t    Please tell how virtual learning has made a difference!

GenerationText SuperUsers
Follow this link to nominate your SuperUsers!
Teach for NCVPS
NCVPS is actively recruiting teachers in all areas.  You must hold an SP II NC Teaching License and have taught for four years in North Carolina.  Check all the details here:  http://www.ncvps.org/index.php/teach-for-ncvps/

::::::::::::::: E-lert Message Below :::::::::::::::

New Items

Checklists for Spring

Please make sure your enrolled students have access to the Getting Started Checklist for NCVPS Students below.  You can send them the link or print the document.  There is also a district and school checklist for you.

Getting Started Checklist for NCVPS Students:  https://docs.google.com/a/ncpublicschools.gov/document/pub?id=1SY5w3-4IlXWpyLlRVfiZ5lDxfYjCL8khri8xf92i_kw

Getting Started Checklist for Districts and Schools:  https://docs.google.com/a/ncpublicschools.gov/document/pub?id=13uve3zrBPpETH4cxqGxWTOzEKM_pkgrjiXjMFhIht2I

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Password Issues

Student Password Issues

Passwords will not work until the first day of class, which is January 3 for early calendar courses and January 23 for traditional calendar courses.

If the student’s password does not work on the first day of class, follow these steps:

1) Confirm that the student is enrolled and not waitlisted.

2) If the student is recently enrolled, remember that passwords will not work for 24 hours.

3) If the student is confirmed enrolled and it has been at least 24 hours since enrollment, then have the student submit an online ticket with our Help Center here: http://www.help.ncvps.org/  Click on “Open a New Ticket.”  The student or the E-learning Advisor can submit this ticket.

4) Lastly, if the  student took a course in the past and the student changed his or her password, then the student has to use the password that he or she changed it to, or the student can submit an online ticket with the Help Center.

5) If a student’s password stops working anytime during the semester, have the student submit an online ticket with the Help Center.

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Reserve Funds

If your district gets a message in the registration system that it has reached its maximum enrollment allotment, please contact your virtual learning consultant.  We may have reserve funds available for your district.

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Summer and Fall 2012 Course Catalogs

The course catalogs for summer and fall 2012 are posted here:  http://www.ncvps.org/index.php/courses/catalogue/

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Final Grades – Fall 2011

Grades are posted in the registration system. Look for the report with this title: Fall and YL 2011 Second Grading Period Rpt Due Jan. 19th 2012 (contains EC)

This link shows how to access your grade reports in the registration system: https://docs.google.com/a/ncpublicschools.gov/View?id=dfwwcvfq_1704fngh2vdv

It this grade report, you will find final grades for fall block courses in both the traditional calendar and early calendar courses. You will also find midterm grades for yearlong courses.

For all EOC and CTE courses, the grade that we report is 75% of the final grade. You will need to average in the EOC and CTE scores for the remaining 25% of the grade.

You will see “Null” grades for German courses, students who withdrew or dropped, and yearlong courses will have “Null” grades in the final grade column.

You will find these fields on the far right of the spreadsheet.

final exam

Grading Period 1

Comment

Grading Period 2

final grade

OSU reports German grades separately. Here’s OSU’s contact information:

Sabine Lewis, sabine.lewis@okstate.edu,
1-800-423-6493
german.online@okstate.edu

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Blackboard Pronto Update

For your district tech directors and school technology leaders:

NCVPS transitioned from the Pronto IM service to the new Blackboard Enterprise IM service on January 20, 2012. There were few changes to take place in this transition, one of which will be new instant messaging client download. Your students that use this on their personal machine should be able to install this with the normal installation instructions provided by their teachers. However, for those of you that need to use the IM service on the district machine, you will most likely need to install this for your students. Since this is the case, we have provided a link below in this email that will give you the installation files for both Mac and Windows platforms. Below the installation link there is also information that details port configurations and IP settings for the new service. Please make sure that your networks are set-up for these port configurations and IP acceptance.

The link to the zipped install file.

Download Zip File

  • New Blackboard Collaborate IM server IP netblock will be: 69.46.102.224/27
  • Connection information necessary for your Course Management System (CMS) to the Blackboard Collaborate IM Server –

o    The CMS server needs to accept HTTP/HTTPS traffic from the following IP netblock69.46.102.224/27.

o    The CMS server needs to be able to make outgoing TCP requests on port 443 and port 80 to IP netblock 69.46.102.224/27.

  • The port requirements necessary for using Blackboard IM are the same as those needed to access web pages: Standard Web Access (Port 80/TCP). Components (features) of Blackboard IM will upgrade to use more efficient transport methods, when possible. The recommended ports to be opened on the network which the users will install the Blackboard IM desktop client onto their computer are:

o    Text chat requires the ability to make TCP requests on port 443 or 5223 to the following IP netblock69.46.102.224/27.

o    VOIP and Video requires the ability to make UDP requests on port 4569 to the following IP netblock 69.46.102.224/27.

o    Application Sharing requires the ability to make TCP requests on port 5300 – 5900 and 5998 to the following IP netblock69.46.102.224/27.

If you have questions concerning the new installation process, please contact the NCVPS Helpdesk at http://www.help.ncvps.org/.

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AP Course Audits

During a recent AP Course Audit, the College Board approved the following courses to use the AP designation for the 2011-2012 academic year for the North Carolina Virtual Public School:

World History
Chinese Language and Culture

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On the Calendar: A Look Ahead

Thursday, January 26
Day 3 Student Status Report Posted in Registration System for Traditional Calendar

Friday, January 27
Last Day to Add Traditional Courses

Wednesday, February 1
Traditional Calendar Admin Drop Reports Sent to ELAs

Thursday, February 2
Corrections to Admin Drops Must Be Reported to Teachers by 5pm

Friday, February 3
Last Day to Drop Traditional Calendar Courses

School Usernames and Passwords

The e-learning coordinator (ELC) at the district office can now reset passwords for school and look up usernames.

Follow this link for directions:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZhbRzsiBzsVuwzXrEb8bUsHTRVlh6o-SqvC9RrQAp4c/edit
Previous Items
OCS Enrollment

Once a school registers for an OCS Blended Learning course in the NCVPS Registration System, the school contact listed in the NCVPS Registration System will be sent an email requesting information for the school’s classroom OCS teachers who will partner with the NCVPS content teacher.  NCVPS will not assign an NCVPS partner teacher to a school until the school provides the teacher information.   These emails requesting school information were sent out beginning on January 3, 2012.  Additional emails for newly enrolled schools will be sent out several times a week hereafter.  If your school contact has not received an email requesting classroom OCS teacher information, and it has been over three days since students were enrolled, please email Michelle Lourcey, michelle.lourcey@ ncpublicschools.gov.

If this information requested above is received by January 16, 2012, classroom OCS teachers will be contacted by their NCVPS partners during the week of January 17, 2012.  At that time, classroom OCS teachers will have access to their course sections in Blackboard.

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NCVPS OCS Blended Learning program!

Want to learn more about the OCS Blended Learning program and its successes?

Check out our webpage:  http://www.ncvps.org/index.php/courses/ocs-blended/

Here you can read about the program, read testimonials, and see the latest newsletter designed for the classroom partner teachers!

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Spring Registration

Registration for the Spring Semester will opened on November 14.  NCVPS will be communicating information out regularly regarding enrollments, waitlists, and any course capacity situations.  Please be vigilant in monitoring your enrollments.

SAS Computer Programming

SAS Computer Programming will be offered for Spring 2011 as a pilot. The course will not appear in the list of courses in the registration system or on the NCVPS course catalog. If you have students you would like to register for this course, please contact Karen Creech at – karen.creech@ncpublicschools.gov.

For more information on SAS Computer Programming, go to http://www.ncvps.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/NCVPS_SAS.pdf. You can download this flyer and share it with students. The flyer includes reasons why students should consider taking this course, career opportunities with SAS skills, a course description, and the prerequisites.

OCS Blended Learning

In order to register for NCVPS OCS Blended Learning courses for Spring 2012, please look in the NCVPS Registration System for the generic OCS Blended course in which you want to enroll students, such as OCS Blended Algebra I Spring 2012.  You may need to scroll until you find the generic section that is not associated with any schools.

Once you enroll students into a generic course, the system will create a section of that course for your school’s students.

Courses available for Spring 2012 for OCS Blended Learning:
OCS Blended Learning Algebra I
OCS Blended Learning Applied Science
OCS Blended Learning Biology
OCS Blended Learning English I
OCS Blended Learning English II
OCS Blended Learning Intro to Math

NEW!  Once a school registers for an OCS Blended Learning course in the NCVPS Registration System, the school contact listed in the NCVPS Registration System will be sent an email requesting information for the school’s classroom OCS teachers who will partner with the NCVPS content teacher.  NCVPS will not assign an NCVPS partner teacher to a school until the school provides the teacher information.   These emails requesting school information were sent out beginning on January 3, 2012.  Additional emails for newly enrolled schools will be sent out several times a week hereafter.  If your school contact has not received an email requesting classroom OCS teacher information, and it has been over three days since students were enrolled, please email Michelle Lourcey, michelle.lourcey@ncpublicschools.gov.

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Interventions for Low-Performing or At-Risk Students

If you have students who are low-performing, under-performing, or at-risk for any reason, NCVPS has a number of intervention strategies for districts and school to follow.

  • Have students contact their instructors during their office hours for live help.
  • Try to establish a recurring time for student to meet with instructor (by Wimba, Pronto, or phone) for one-on-one tutoring.
  • Have student sign up for NCVPS Peer Tutoring, which is available for certain courses.  Go to this link to learn more:  http://goo.gl/GRkwT   .
  • Establish peer tutoring with other successful NCVPS students at your school (if available).
  • Have EC students meet with the school’s EC specialist.
  • See our list of assistive technologies.  Go to this link to learn more: http://goo.gl/eryLQ
  • Have students attend your school’s review sessions (if available).
  • Have students attend your school’s tutoring session (if available).
  • If the student taking the course off campus, consider moving the student to a lab setting, especially if the student is not logging into the course.
  • If you have students in EOC courses, but sure that they take part in our EOC Reviews that are in each EOC course.  Have them contact their teachers for more information.  
  • Establish weekly or bi-weekly contact with instructors of any at-risk students.
  • Check for progress reports and report cards in the registration system.  Updates are made every two weeks.  You may contact teachers directly between updates to check on student progress. 

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Why NCVPS Credit Recovery?

Why should you choose NCVPS credit recovery?

Because it is a program completely different from all other credit recovery options — it focuses on the STUDENT and the differentiation that happens because of the powerful student/teacher relationship.

Learn more HERE!  http://www.ncvps.org/index.php/courses/credit-recovery/

Check out the Testimonial link!  

 

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FEATURED LINKS

follow this link for details on our LOCK Webinar Series.  The series keeps district leaders apprised of NCVPS operations.

Follow this link to the new E-learning Advisors Portal.

Click here for the NCVPS district calendar.

CHECKLISTS

Click here for the online District and School Semester Checklist.

Click here for the online Getting Started Checklist for NCVPS Students.

REGISTRATION

School-level ELAs, follow this link to SchoolTube to watch a short video on the registration process.

District-office ELCs:  Follow this link to watch a short video that shows how to check your district’s enrollment, check grades, and enroll and drop students at the school level.

Find our course catalogs here:  http://www.ncvps.org/index.php/courses/catalogue/

If plan to enroll home school or private schools students into NCVPS courses through your districts, be sure to read this link first:  http://www.ncvps.org/index.php/parents/homeprivate-school/

DLA Contact Information:  Be sure to update your contact information in the registration system.  Follow this link to see how to update your contact information.

CREDIT RECOVERY

Be aware of the new State Board grading policy in credit recovery courses: http://www.ncpublicschools. org/docs/stateboard/meetings/ 2010/12/gcs/12gcs.pdf    This is for NCVPS and vendor credit recovery programs.

Please become familiar with the updated NCVPS IEP guidelines:  http://www.ncvps.org/index.php/educators/operations-guides/

STUDENT SUPPORT

Find information on your new Help Desk here:  https://docs.google.com/document/preview?id=1xIyjRZVIJGMHhSoz2K5EE7krBSN1RzUA70bOG7M1sV8

Follow this link to see a full list of assistive technologies that are beneficial for a variety of student disabilities:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Am5iphYrw8o_gwzsWHvO3RhhhPop81tLyhfiB-WK4g8/edit?hl=en&authkey=COv327YI&pli=1#

If your students need tutoring help, be sure to check out our Peer Tutoring Center by following this linkhttp://www.ncvps.org/?s=Peer+Tutoring

::::::::::::::: End of E-lert Message :::::::::::::::

Virtual Schooling In The News

InTheNewsBeginning with the ASCD SmartBrief.

Digital Learning Day: Strategies for adopting classroom technology
The Alliance for Excellent Education is promoting the first annual Digital Learning Day, to be held on Feb. 1, when it will recognize educators who are successfully integrating technology into the curriculum. Bob Wise, the group’s president and former West Virginia governor, and Sarah Hall, director of the Alliance’s Center for Secondary School Digital Learning and Policy, suggest that effective use of classroom technology requires planning, a willingness to try new tools, and the ability to choose and combine content and technology to create effective lessons. U.S. News & World Report/High School Notes blog (1/25)

SmartBrief on EdTech.

States to teach digital literacy with online program
Education Week/Digital Education blog (1/20)

Fla. online school spends less, posts higher AP scores
Online students at the Florida Virtual School in 2011 outscored their peers at brick-and-mortar schools by an average of 12 percentage points on Advanced Placement tests, despite spending nearly $2,200 less per student than a traditional school. A study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found that online schools spend less money on school operations, but the same or more on “content” and “student services” and three times as much on “technology.” Sunshine State News (Fla.) (1/23)

Videoconferencing helps N.C. district expand teachers’ reach
Officials in a North Carolina school district are planning to use videoconferencing to help expand the course offerings at their schools. Starting next school year, the technology will be used to broadcast a course at one school to other schools throughout the county. “It will help our students be competitive across the board,” said Shirley Gamble, the school’s principal. The Fayetteville Observer (N.C.) (1/24)

Bill requiring online learning advances in Indiana
WANE-TV (Fort Wayne, Ind.) (1/25)

Back to the regular Google News Alert for virtual school.

Oklahoma City to host Jan. 24 “town hall” during National School Choice Week
Tulsa Today (blog)
Concerning this year’s likely or potential legislation at the state Capitol, Jolly reflected, “I expect to see a virtual school bill, a process to create a clearinghouse at the state Department of Education. I believe Senators John Ford [a Bartlesville …
See all stories on this topic »

EARLY GRADUATION: Real learning in virtual school
Greensboro News & Record
More than 32000 students took NC Virtual Public School courses last school year, according to the NC Department of Public Instruction, making it the second-largest virtual school by enrollment in the country. The NC Virtual Public School was indirectly …
See all stories on this topic »

Notes from School — Jan. 22, 2012
Fond du Lac Reporter
3, at Camp Vista in Campbellsport. n The Fond du Lac School District is accepting enrollment for students interested in participating in the Wisconsin Virtual School program. The opportunity is available to students in Grades 6 to 12. …
See all stories on this topic »

school choice deadline nears
Bradenton Herald
To register students in virtual schools, families should check out the weblink provided above, which also includes a link to virtual school information. n Career academies offer high schoolers a chance to earn college credits and participate in …
See all stories on this topic »

Online drivers’ ed makes sense for course vendors
MiamiHerald.com
Earlier this month, the Tampa Bay (St. Petersburg) Times looked into the state’s largest online course provider, the Florida Virtual School, which, with a little help from the legislature, has grown into a $166 million-a-year operation. …
See all stories on this topic »

Program to help 5th-year seniors earn diplomas
Columbia County News Times
They’ll work in the alternative school’s computer lab 9 am to noon Monday through Thursday, taking online courses on the Georgia Virtual School system under the tutelage of high school graduation coaches. Many fifth-year seniors detest having to learn …
See all stories on this topic »

‘Virtual’ Charter School Looks To Cabarrus, Seeks BOE Partnership
WFAE.org
But the school system would still have to pay for Cabarrus County students who transfer to the virtual school, just like it does with other charter schools. Currently, that’s about $6500 per student in local and state funds.
See all stories on this topic »

Charter, virtual school expansion a possibility
Topeka Capital Journal
By Tim Carpenter About 200 virtual school students from across the state will descend Tuesday on the Capitol to earn face time with Kansas government. The road trip for Maize Virtual Preparatory School’s students won’t be the most unusual feature of …
See all stories on this topic »

Spending $2159 Less Per Student, Online School Outscores Florida Campuses on …
Sunshine State News
Online students at Florida Virtual School outperformed their traditional-school peers on Advanced Placement tests in 2011, and at less cost, new studies show. Florida Virtual School reported scores that averaged 12 percentage points higher than …
See all stories on this topic »

Growth will stretch charter school policy
News Chief
Berry opted to take a job with Florida Virtual School. The only other issue she could remember before that was in 2005 when several staff members from the high school transferred back to the Polk County School District. However, the system could have …
See all stories on this topic »

MCS virtual tech class offering 2 key languages
Memphis Commercial Appeal
“I think the virtual school is a great idea. You can’t go to two schools at the same time.” The city schools got approval for the investment from the state, including permission to spend $458000 in Race to the Top funds on STEM curriculum provided by …
See all stories on this topic »

Two Rivers School Board approves virtual school
Herald Times Reporter
TWO RIVERS — Ninth- through 12th-graders living within the boundaries of the Two Rivers School District now have another option for acquiring an education — the Two Rivers Virtual School. School board members unanimously approved the virtual school …
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Virtual charter school company gets approval in Cabarrus
The Progressive Pulse
K12, Inc. has hired numerous lobbyists in North Carolina, including a former state legislator from Cabarrus County, and agreed to send the Western North Carolina school district a percentage of its revenue in exchange for sponsoring the virtual school.
See all stories on this topic »

Jindal pushes virtual programs
Daily Comet
Jindal wants more students to enroll in the Louisiana Virtual School, a statewide program that offers Internet courses to home-schooled children. Louisiana Virtual School offers a full range of high-school classes from English, math and biology basics …
See all stories on this topic »

3 finalists named for online K-12 teacher award
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
The finalists are: Leslie Fetzer from North Carolina Virtual Public School, Tracy Seiler from the South Carolina Virtual School Program and Asherrie Yisrael from Georgia Virtual School. The winner will be announced March 1 and will receive a trip to …
See all stories on this topic »

Digital academy could help city keep students
Springfield News Sun
… Staff Writer 10:27 PM Monday, January 23, 2012 SPRINGFIELD — More than $1.1 million in state funding follows nearly 200 Springfield students to online schools, but that could change as the district prepares to launch its own virtual school.
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Bill: Give parents more say on what happens to failing schools
The News-Press
And it informs parents that they have the right to request a copy of their child’s teacher evaluation, and gives a virtual school option to students with ineffective or out of field teachers. It also calls on districts not to assign poor teachers to …
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Critics say ‘cyber’ charter schools have not delivered results, but families …
Kalamazoo Gazette – MLive.com
She also questioned the $5 million salary reportedly paid to the leader of the country’s largest virtual school provider. Former state Superintendent Tom Watkins testified in favor of the bill, saying the lawmakers need to be open to new ideas given …
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Furor erupts over bills to let parents decide poorly performing schools’ fate
Orlando Sentinel
The bills also require schools to tell parents if their children’s teachers have received poor evaluations or are teaching outside their field and to let parents know they might find a better option at a virtual school. And it prohibits a student from …
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Maryetta School offers virtual school
Cherokee Phoenix
Maryetta Schools in Stilwell is wrapping up its first semester of virtual school, which gives students in grades third through eighth the chance to participate in online classes from a home-school setting. “We’ve had a lot of good, positive comments …
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Clayton Ridge to Roll Out Virtual School
Eastern Iowa Schools
Any students is eligable to enroll in virtual school. But administrators expect less than one percent of the students to take part. Nelson said, “It might be the autistic kid or special needs child who needs to focus and not have all the noise or …
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Digital Learning Day is February 1st — Free Online Trivia Game about …
DigitalJournal.com (press release)
Educators at leading virtual school Connections Academy are offering a free, online trivia game about technology and science. The launch of this special edition Quiz Bowl Trivia Challenge is dedicated to Digital Learning Day, which will be held on …
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Proponents say bill would empower parent
MyFoxOrlando.com
The Parent Empowerment Act allows parents to decide if they need to get rid of current teachers or administrators and use something like a charter or virtual school instead. “It has a really catchy name, good marketing, but was not driven by parents, …
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Digital has its drawbacks
South County Independent
Yes, both the digital school model, in which students have a plethora of gadgets at their disposal in a classroom, and the virtual school model, where student and teacher communicate by computer, are intriguing. But, because too often technology comes …
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Bus attack questions? We have answers
Ocala
Vianello said parents of the seven students were informed they could also homeschool their children, put them in virtual school, or try to enroll them in a private school. The board will make its decision on Feb. 28. What is the liability of the school …
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The 4 Keys to a Successful Online School
T.H.E. Journal
By Chris Riedel For Broward Virtual School’s Evelyn Weaver, building a successful virtual learning environment begins with four key components. The development of an immediate, effective technical and academic support system.
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Community stepping up to help Suttons Bay Schools
UpNorthLive.com
Superintendent Mike Murray says the district planned to get state funding for 760 students, but fell short by 114 students due to a charter school’s decision to drop out of Suttons Bay’s virtual school. The student funding has left a $400000 hole in …
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Statewide Public School Choice Coming to Wisconsin
Maciver Institute
The Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families was the legislation’s leading proponent and the American Federation for Children, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators all rallied …
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New proposals could bring dramatic changes to Missouri schools
St. Louis Beacon
Direct the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a clearinghouse to help students in unaccredited districts transfer to an accredited district, a charter school, a virtual school or a nonpublic school using a Passport …
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School Choice Fair on Saturday
U-T San Diego
Nearly 44 percent of San Diego Unified students pass over their neighborhood school in favor of a magnet school, a virtual school, a charter or simply a more appealing campus across the city. California’s second-largest district, San Diego Unified was …
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Difference engine: Let the games begin
The Economist (blog)
In your correspondent’s opinion, the Khan Academy has the makings of what a free, world-class, virtual school should be. Try it. In the end, the two technologies that could save science education from the kind of reforms the pedagogues have in mind are …
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‘We Found a Place Where Our Children’s Safety Would Never Be An Issue’
Michigan Capitol Confidential
“There are over 5000 students waiting to get into the virtual school setting, so yes. I truly believe that there would be even more parents that would take advantage, if given the opportunity.” What are some of the main advantages you’ve experienced …
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Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

Karen Santorum’s past: Let it go
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
… in 2004 by billing the Penn Hills school district for $100000 of his children’s cyber school tuition even though the family actually lived in Virginia.

Publics’ edge: Districts can make AYP even if a school fails
Blairsville Dispatch
By Rachel Weaver, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW When Ron and Tina Gamble’s twin daughters, Jessica and Lauren, considered leaving public school for cyber school …

Salisbury Considers Creating Cyber School
Patch.com
The Salisbury School Board is considering creating its own online school to regain students who left to attend cyber charter schools and to supplement …

Pittsburgh Musical Ttheater casts teen actors in controversial …
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Jameson started high school in the Moon Area district and finished up at the PA Cyber School while also completing PMT’s pre-college program.

Where’s Education in the Republican Candidates’ Slugfest?
Huffington Post
The Santorums yanked their kids out of the Pennsylvania cyber school and were not required to repay any of the districts costs.

Achievement House Cyber Charter School Opens Pittsburgh Center in …
Patch.com
Achievement House Cyber Charter School (AHCCS) has opened a Pittsburgh Education Center in Oakmont this month to meet the needs of currently enrolled and …

Marcolini meets with community
Monessen Valley Independent
“I don’t like the fact that they go to a cyber school and graduate with just a certificate. They can do it here and get a real diploma.

January 27, 2012

5 Days: Digital Learning Day Countdown!

From the inbox about an hour ago…

Dear Michael:

5 days and counting…1.7 MILLION students participating so far!

Tip of the Day: 

1.      Answering the MOST ASKED question of this campaign!

2.      Check List for Digital Learning Day:  Plan a Lesson, Tune-in To The Webcast, Watch the Town Hall

3.      Plan To Participate:  New Digital Learning Day Video Contest for Teachers and Students

What Will Actually Happen On Digital Learning Day?

That question is definitely the most asked question of all!  Here is the answer…

In each state, district, school and classroom Digital Learning Day will look a little different depending on the plans made. We hope that all teachers who signed up and many, many more will be reviewing the toolkit to plan an activity.  We hope teachers and administrators will try something new, celebrate innovation, show off what’s working to policy makers, incorporate digital content into a lesson for deeper learning, plan more ways of integrating technology into future instruction, and think about how technology can improve instructional practice.

Here in Washington, DC the National Digital Learning Day Celebration will have two major components:

Digital Learning Day Webcast:  Starting at 9:00 AM on our website, three-plus hours of programming will begin. The segments are listed on the website at http://www.digitallearningday.org/events/national-events/dldwebcast and will provide teachers and administrators with valuable models for using technology in math, science, social studies, and art. It will also highlight project based learning ideas and important aspects of digital learning initiatives such as leadership, innovation, and professional development opportunities.  Check out the list and tune-in to whatever parts of the morning look interesting to you. There is no need to register for the morning sessions, just tune-in and enjoy! There will be an online chat capability so we ask that you chime in and participate in the sessions online! As always, tweeting is also highly encouraged if your system allows for it.

Please note:  The Webcast will be re-broadcast after the National Town Hall Meeting for our teachers on the West Coast.

National Town Hall Meeting: After the webcast, we will go live to our National Virtual Town Hall Meeting being broadcast live via the Internet in front of a live in-studio audience from the Newseum in Washington, DC.  This online event is free, as is all Digital Learning Day activities.  If you plan to watch the Town Hall live you will need to register at http://www.digitallearningda.y.org/events/national-events and test your system to ensure there are no issues on the day of the event.  The national town hall meeting is geared to an audience of teachers and educational leaders. Take a look at the agenda for all the information. It could also be a great social studies or language arts lesson for middle and/or high school students.

Although you are already signed-up to receive information about Digital Learning Day please ensure you REGISTER TO WATCH the Town Hall Meeting as well if you plan to join the virtual audience.

However you choose to celebrate Digital Learning Day, we thank you for your enthusiasm, planning, and leadership. We truly are building a wave of innovation – making a difference for students.

A Quick Checklist for your participation in Digital Learning Day:

1.       Make a plan to celebrate Digital Learning Day at your school with your students. Go to the Teacher Toolkit for idea from us and teachers like you at http://www.digitallearningday.org/toolkits/teachers/. The Awesome Ideas link provides templates you can customize that may give you some ideas to get started.

2.      DONE!  If you are getting this note directly, you have already signed-up at http://www.digitallearningday.org/sign-up to participate. So mark that off your list! J

3.      You are encouraged to watch the live town hall meeting being streamed via the Internet on February 1, 2012.  You can view this on your own, with colleagues, or as a class. Please make sure to register at http://digitallearningday.eventbrite.com/ to get the directions, bookmark the link, and test your system before the live webcast on February 1 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.

ANNOUNCING! Digital Learning Day’s Video Contest

We want to hear how digital learning is improving your school and how you celebrated Digital Learning Day!  There are categories for Teachers, High School Students, Middle School, and Elementary Students.  Go to http://www.digitallearningday.org/awards/ to view the categories, directions and rules.  Submissions will be due on Friday, March 2nd.

Thanks for everything – please keep spreading the word about Digital Learning Day!

Sara Hall

202-828-0820

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