Thursday February 11, 2010Michelle Lourcey, Curriculum and Instruction Division Director, Credit Recovery and Modular Learning, NCVPS

Jeff Page, Credit Recovery and Modular Learning Specialist, NCVPS

Mike Petersen, Manager, K-12 Solutions Engineers, Blackboard

Getting Started with Online Credit Recovery: Featuring North Carolina Virtual Public School

2

Born from education

in 1997

20 million users

1,000+ of us, working with 5,200+ of you

Extended by 2,500

developers and partners

9 global offices across 4 continents

+

2

3

• Close the gap between the way students live and the way they learn

• Deliver a 21st Century educational experience that is engaging, individualized and effective

Our Vision:

4

• An open, web-based teaching and learning platform for engaging and assessing learners in and beyond the classroom

• 3,000+ clients, 15+ million estimated active users, at all levels of learning

• Local or hosted deploymentEngaging and assessing learners at all levels

4

5

Client Community

NORTH CAROLINA VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

Blackboard Client Spotlight

6

Transforming 21st Century Teaching and Learning

North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) Credit Recovery Program

Michelle LourceyCurriculum and Instruction Division Director

for Credit Recovery and Modular Learning18 years in education (teacher, LEA curriculum

supervisor)With NCVPS since its inception in 2007; spent

7 years in online education prior to NCVPS as online teacher, course developer, curriculum coordinator, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Created North Carolina’s first online, non-vendor Credit Recovery program

Jeff PageCredit Recovery and Modular Learning

Specialist10 years in educationServed as course developer for the first NCVPS

Credit Recovery course development cycleServed in Research Development and

Innovation role with NCVPS Responsible for the continuous improvement

and course integrity of the NCVPS Credit Recovery model

NCVPS beginningsSeptember 2002, NC General Assembly created

BETA, Business Education Technology AllianceBETA was chaired by then Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue,

now Governor of NCThe BETA commission, under the leadership of

Gov. Perdue, established the E-Learning Commission and charged it with establishing NCVPS

NCVPS is available at no cost to all students in NC enrolled in NC public schools, Department of Defense schools, and schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (secured through legislation)

NCVPS’ startNCVPS began organization in the fall of 2006First slate of courses were offered for the first

time in the summer of 2007NC certified teacher works with students in the

online environment daily, both synchronously and asynchronously

Teachers are part time only, receive contracts each semester for work

Sections are limited to 30 students for traditional courses and 20 students for Credit Recovery

101 Ways to Meet Students’ Needs

Culture Cafe

Peer Tutori

ng

LEO

NCVPS Rapid GrowthOver 65,536 students served since summer, 2007 (20-30% growth each year)

19,695—current active students (Spring and YL)

1200+ Credit Recovery enrollments for the Spring 2010— 50% growth from Spring 2009 (over 65% of state LEAs participating)

Estimated by 2019, 75-80% learning in public schools will occur online in a blended design

On the Horizon

That was then, this is NOWNOW.

Composite course trends(the data tells the story of NCVPS’ quality)

•Summer 2007 51%

•Fall 2007 62%

•Spring 2008 74%

•Summer 2008 77%

•Fall 2008 81%

•Spring 2009 82%

•Summer 2009 83%

•Fall 2009 TBD

Why NCVPS Credit Recovery?Needed in response to costly vendor programs that

were not meeting the academic needs of students

Such as…Mastery of all goals of the NC StandardsPreparation of the retaking of the End of Course

examPreparation for the next level of instructionProviding students an opportunity to gain success

in a different learning environment with a NC certified teacher

Credit Recovery ModelPhilosophy developed firstNo purchased content – completely develop

own courses with NC certified “high flying” classroom teachers trained to teach online

Full course for credit, completely aligned to state standards

Mastery learning modelSelf pacedSynchronous teaching of a NC certified teacherStudent can work from home, school, or both

Mastery Learning ModelStudents pre-assess at the beginning of each

unit – mastery is 80% or higherStudent can exempt all or most of unit with an

80 on pre-assessmentAll units follow the flow of engaging instruction

with the presentation of the concept followed by practice and then a formative assessment

Students then move to the Mastery Assignment – higher levels of Bloom’s. 80% or better, the student moves on. Less than 80% -- remediation

Mastery Learning ModelRemediation redirects students to material to

present the material againPost AssessmentAll steps happen with the student’s teacher

working daily with the student through synchronous and asynchronous tools found in Blackboard, Wimba, and Pronto

Students do not move to the next unit until the unit before is mastered

Mastery Learning ModelContinuous communicationBi-weekly Mastery charts to

students/parents/school contactsBi-weekly Status Reports to schoolsWeekly synchronous contact between teacher

and studentTeaching through the Announcements, through

feedback on assignments through Blackboard messaging and the Gradebook, and through Pronto, Wimba and phone calls if needed

Course Development ProcessSix NC teachers per course team, highly qualified in

certification area and usually NBPTS certifiedTeachers work in pairs for collaboration, so three

pairs per course teamOne Literacy Coach per processOne Content Specialist from NCVPS per process to

serve as Project ManagerOne person to create course in BlackboardAll attend a two day trainingBi weekly deadlines, virtual meetings with teams and

project manager

Course Development ProcessSpring 2008 trained teachers and developed

English I and Algebra IField tested content as developedPiloted two courses in the Summer of 2008Algebra I and English I offered statewide in

the Fall 2008Developed six more courses in the fall of

2008Spring 2009, offered NC eight coursesSpring 2009, developed two more courses

Course Development ProcessSummer 2009, offered NC ten coursesSpring 2010 developing two more coursesDevelopment depends upon…1.Course Development funds available

-- can develop a course for approximately $20K-- no additional costs beyond learning object costs such as Explore Learning labs--revisions to course part of teacher contracts and not separate expenses

2.LEA need

Course QualityContinuous curriculum and engagement

improvements each semester through targeted revision areas each semester

o Bloom’so Marzano strategieso 21st Century Skills and Themeso Clear Directionso Formative Assessmentso EOC preparednesso Engagement/Interaction

Teacher QualityRequired online class before application submittedTraining specific to Credit Recovery once placed in

teacher poolRefresher training every semesterOngoing Professional DevelopmentRequired bi-weekly documentsRequired synchronous contact logSpot Checks into Teachers’ sectionsFormal teacher evaluations performed by Division

Director

Enrollment numbersSummer Pilot 2008 143Fall 2008 105Spring 2009 667Summer 2009 2013Fall 2009 827Spring 2009 1200+Summer 2010 estimated 4000+

Mastery RatesSummer Pilot 2008 50%Fall 2008 30%Spring 2009 53%Summer 2009 61%Fall 2009 65%Spring 2009 TBD

Challenges Overcoming the mindset of the vendor model1. Rigor of the course2. Length of course3. Time needed for completion4. Support level at the school Working with state agency to change Credit

Recovery perceptions1. Stay true to the philosophy developed2. Working with state agency to find proper course

coding, essentially meshing our philosophy with state requirements

Lessons LearnedKnow who you are as a program FIRST and be

willing to stand behind what is best for studentsPressure to meet the needs of the LEAs must be

weighed with what is best for the integrity of the program and for student learning

The easiest way may not always be the best wayNOs can often be changed with data,

conversations, and persistenceResistant school systems often come around

after a “test drive”

Next 5 YearsExpand online Credit Recovery course

offerings to include courses from World Language and Career and Technical Education

Develop a remediation program for rising ninth graders in math and language arts

Expand our Modular Learning program to catch students who are struggling f2f before they need Credit Recovery

Expand partnerships in course development for the special needs population

Look Inside!Credit Recovery English II

Challenge: Increase Graduation Rates

By offering credit recovery courses delivered both in online and in offline formats

Blackboard Solution: Anytime, Anywhere Student Engagement

Rather than selecting one model for credit recovery, the district chose to offer multiple models in order to address as many students’ needs as possible.

“While the program is still new, I know that it has helped. This is the only thing we are offering in our district as an alternative education offering. I definitely feel that we will make a difference in graduation rates.”

- Rose Valderaz, Director, Virtual High School

Ector County Independent School District

Blackboard

Case Study

• 26,000 students

• Virtual high school

• Texas

Challenge: Diverse Learning Needs

Offering enriched curriculum for all learners.

Blackboard Solution: Anytime, Anywhere Student Engagement

“Students today are very tech-savvy and comfortable with technology and the flexibility of online instruction. Whether they are fine arts or magnet students, athletes, or those enrolled for credit recovery, they enjoy the individual choices they make in regards to when, where, and how long they participate in their virtual course.”

- Becky Nunnally, Supervisor, eHigh School

Cobb County School District

Blackboard

Case Study

• Suburban county

• 100,000+ students

• 8,800+ staff

• 113 schools and educational centers

• Georgia

34

Blackboard LearnCommon Challenges:• Raising graduation rates• Keeping students engaged in their learning• Providing varied means for students to recover

lost credits

• Operating within limited and declining budget

Solution:

Blackboard Learn provides the foundation for a district-

based online credit recovery program that engages

students with personalized learning opportunities and

maximizes district resources in order to increase

graduation rates. 

Quick Start Solutions: Credit RecoveryChallenge:“Developing online credit recovery courses takes time and resources but I need to make the courses available right away.”

--Director of Instructional Technology

Solution:• Blackboard Quick Start Solutions will

help you get started quickly and achieve early success

• Enroll up to 50 students in Florida Virtual School credit recovery courses

Quick Start Solutions: Credit Recovery

Challenge:“I don’t know how to start an online credit recovery program at my district. Who can I turn to?”

- Director of Instructional Technology

Solution:• Participate in the Florida Virtual Leadership

Course (1 seat)• Become certified to teach and learn online

with 1 seat in 3 Blackboard Training Courses: Teaching and Learning Online Certification Series (Building Courses, Enhancing Communication, Assessing Learners)

www.k12perspectives.com

Strong credit recovery programshelp to knock out

excuses forstudents not to

succeed.

Ms. Rose ValderazDirector, Virtual High SchoolEctor County, Texas

Thank you! Questions? Michelle Lourcey, Curriculum and Instruction Division Director

mlourcey@dpi.state.nc.us

Jeff Page, Credit Recovery and Modular Learning Specialist

jnpage@dpi.state.nc.us

North Carolina Virtual Public School: http://www.ncvps.org/courses/credit

www.blackboard.com/k12/learn

(800) 424-9299 ext. 2427

38