Course Options for Students West Virginia Virtual School: Course Options for Students PowerPoint Developed by Sharon Gainer, WVVS Registrar Office of Technology and Information Systems West Virginia Department of Education 29 April 2011 West Virginia Department of Education 29 April 2011 Presented by:

Why Distance Learning Courses? A significant share of West Virginias 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 Model WV 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 WVVS WVVS operates as a broker for states 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 SREBs 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 Objectives Counselors insure that courses fit students educational programs and are appropriate Some courses are electivesmust be approved by county AP courses come from course provider, not WVVS (College Board Requirements) Student must be in WVEIS

One Size Does NOT Fit All Learning style Technology expertise Computer availability Independence Motivation Extracurricular commitments Family commitments Time of year

Which Students are a Good Fit for Virtual Courses? Student seeking higher level challenges extra credits class not offered at his school career exploration addition to home schooling or home- bound instruction credit recovery

How are Classes Scheduled? In a class period in the lab called virtual learningrandom courses Full group instruction Sit-in student Independently at home Before or after school In the summer

What Kinds of Courses are Available? Fine Arts15 courses Foreign Language65 courses Health4 courses Math54 courses Physical Education3 courses Reading and Lang. Arts49 courses Science30 courses Social Studies72 courses Tech. and Career19 courses Middle School9 courses

Core Classes Healthfull credit Reading and Language Arts4 credits Math4 credits Science4 credits (? Physical Science ?) Social Studies1 credit ( 4 AP Options) Physical Educationfull credit

Other Graduation Requirements Fine Arts credit Foreign Language2 years(of the same language) of six languages Many elective choices

WVVS Additions for Physical Education Drivers Education (classroom instruction) Trigonometry Cisco Academy Social Studies TBA

WVVS Registration Procedures

Registration Procedure – Pre-registration Student pre-registers request for course(s) at: (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

Course Providers and Effective Mentoring and Monitoring of Students

WVVS Course Providers BYU K-12* APEX Learning Carone Fitness* Aventa Learning Florida Virtual School Lincoln Interactive (Mountaineer Virtual) Virtual Greenbush University of Nebraska* West Virginia Virtual School

Tips for Successful Facilitation Good Practice is Good Practice Select Students with Care Set Expectations for Students and Parents Conference with Students to Monitor Progress Check Reports Weekly Report Grades Bring 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 toll-free at Sarah Lyons, WVVS Director, WVDE Office of Technology