course options for students west virginia virtual school: course options for students powerpoint...
TRANSCRIPT
West Virginia Virtual School:
Course Options for Course Options for StudentsStudents
PowerPoint Developed by
Sharon Gainer, WVVS Registrar
Office of Technology and Office of Technology and
Information SystemsInformation Systems
West Virginia Department of Education West Virginia Department of Education 29 April 2011 29 April 2011
Presented by:Presented by:
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 programs and are appropriateSome 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 schoolcareer explorationaddition to home schooling or home-bound instructioncredit recovery
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—1 credit (4 AP Options)
Physical Education—full credit
Other Graduation Requirements
Fine Arts creditForeign Language—2 years(of the same language) of six languagesMany elective choices
WVVS Additions for 2010-11
Physical EducationDrivers’ Education (classroom instruction)TrigonometryCisco AcademySocial Studies TBA
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 and a communication is sent to all parties noting completed registration.
Course Providers and Effective Mentoring and Monitoring of Students
WVVS Course Providers
BYUK-12*APEX LearningCarone Fitness*Aventa LearningFlorida Virtual SchoolLincoln Interactive (Mountaineer Virtual)
Virtual GreenbushUniversity of Nebraska*West Virginia Virtual School
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
[email protected] toll-free at 866-593-8065Sarah Lyons, WVVS Director, WVDE Office of Technology [email protected] 304.558.7880