1. A flexible choice for our stakeholders
OCS Virtual Academy
A flexible choice for our stakeholders
PRESENTED BY: Vikki B. Childress
November 1, 2016

2. Why Online? Offers our students an option as to how they learn.
Allows for true differentiation and individualization.
Offers families flexibility and choice. This option might appeal to home school and private school families and bring them back to the public school sector as a full time student.
Increased number of students who suffer from stress- related anxiety. This would be a great option for them.
Offers courses and scheduling that high schools cannot. We have flexible scheduling options and are not tied to a traditional calendar.
Prepares students for online learning for when they enter the work force or college.

3. Whose is an online learner?
Students who are independent and self motivated learners.
Students who want to get ahead or need accelerated courses.
Students who need flexible scheduling due to family or medical issues.
Students who have at least a minimum acceptable baseline of technology and reading skills.
Students who have internet access 24/7. *

4. Vendor – Ed Options
The Onslow County School System has selected Ed Options as our vendor for curriculum. Ed Options is an online provider that will assist and that will consult with the Virtual Academy for 3 years.
Ed Options will:
1) hire Onslow County School teachers to work with our students.
2) use their online curriculum while we work on developing our own.
3) train the teachers on how to teach online.
4) assist in marketing efforts.

5. DoDea Grant
The Onslow County School System received a $1.5 million DoDEA grant to assist with funding for the Virtual Academy.

6. Academy Enrollment Process
Open to students in grades 9-12.
Preference given to military students.
Complete online application to enter lottery.
Lottery will occur for all non military students.
Must take a minimum of 2 online courses per semester. Students may attend school for ½ day or whole day using lab setting like we do for NCVPS. We will use the eLA from NCVPS for point of contact at each school. They will be able to log into system
Will have a live teacher (possibly from Onslow).
Will open in January 2017 with 200 student cap.

7. How does it work?
Students apply and then go through a lottery like Clyde Erwin, New Bridge and Northwoods Elementary. We will hold a few seats open for extenuating circumstances.
Once through the lottery, additional student screening will occur focusing on reading and technology skills to ensure student success.
Students will be enrolled as full-time students in an Onslow County School based on their residential school district. They are counted on the schools ADM. Virtual Academy is a program. We do not have a school number.
Students accepted must take at least 2 courses, each semester, through the Academy with the flexibility to take the remaining 2 at their face-to-face school or take an additional 1-2 completely online.

8. How does it work continued
Students may take all course work online through the Academy with synchronous communication and support from the online teacher.
We will utilize the ELA for NCVPS as the contact for this program as well.
 Students will have full access to all extracurricular opportunities (band, strings, musicals, clubs, honor societies, proms, dances, graduations, field trips and athletics) offered at the face-to-face school.
Athletics
Students must meet all eligibility OCS and/or NCHSAA requirements.
Greg Grantham and I have cleared all questions and concerns regarding athletics with Que Tucker at NCHSAA. We are in compliance. We realize that some questions remain and we are addressing those with NCHSAA through Greg Grantham.
Students will be counted on that school’s ADM, because they are enrolled full-time.
All courses offered are approved through theNCAA clearinghouse as well as NCDPI.

9. Frequently Asked Questions
Are the teachers HQ? Yes! They will all hold or be eligible to hold a NC license. In some cases Ed Options will employ our teachers part-time and offer a stipend. They will use our teachers for Math I, Biology and English II.
Can we still use NCVPS? Yes!  This is designed for a student who want to be online for more than just one class. Onslow County Schools will still use NCVPS to fill our gaps.
How about students with IEPs and 504s? They are eligible. The face 2 face school is the school of record so they will be the case managers and retain control over all paperwork and mods/accommodations

10. FAQ Continued
What happens with inactive students? After 3 days of inactivity, contact is made with the student/parent. After 7 days of inactivity, conference will occur with student, parent and Academy Director to address concerns. Failure to improve will result in removal from Academy.
Do Academy students still have to complete the graduation project? Yes. This is a requirement of OCS. We are working on creating a module for the graduation project.
Do students take the EOCs, ACT, PLAN and WorkKeys online? Students will report to their face- to -face school for testing.  That is the only way testing security can be ensured.
Do the students’ scores count in the accountability model? Yes. This works the same as OCLC. The Academy is a program, not a school. Students’ scores go back to the face- to -face school.

11. FAQ Continued
Are the teachers evaluated? Yes. The Academy Director will have access to all teachers, students and courses and be allowed to provide input regarding teacher performance.
Can a school enroll a student into the academy? No.  Enrollment is through the lottery process.  All extenuating circumstances are addressed by the Director.
Can we offer summer school? Yes.  We are working on a plan for summer school. It will be utilized for both remediation and acceleration. It will be tuition based for the students.
Will this take the place of OCLC? No. That is not the intent of this program. We can work in conjunction with and support OCLC.

12. Courses Offered Math English Science Social Studies Electives
Electives Con’t
Math 1 (honors)
Math 2 (honors)
Math 3 (honors)
PreCalculus (honors)
Probability and Statistics (honors)
English I, II, III and IV (honors)
AP English IV
Earth and Environmental Science (Honors)
Biology (Honors)
Physical Science (Honors)
Chemistry
Physics
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
World History (Honors)
World Geography
American History 1 and 2 (Honors)
AP US History
NC American History: The Founding Principles, Civics and Economics (Honors)
African American Studies
Native American Studies
Health and PE
Astronomy: Exploring the Universe
Forensic Science 1 and 2
Psychology
Sociology
Visual Arts Beginning
Visual Arts Intermediate
Photography 1
Photography 2
Music Appreciation
Career Management
Entrepreneurship
Personal Finance
Principles of Information Technology
Principles of Business and Finance
Health Science 1 and 2
Success 101
Chinese 1 and 2
French 1 and 2
German 1 and 2
Spanish 1, 2 and 3

13. Thank you! Questions?