Virtual classroom takes root in Broome

In 27 states — New York excluded — students are allowed to attend a virtual school full-time.

“It’s changing education and somewhat leveling the playing field by giving small schools, and remote schools, more access to resources,” said Liz Pape, president and CEO of Virtual High School Global Consortium, a non-profit organization, based in Maynard, Mass., that offers credit-bearing high school courses to students across the country and around the world. It’s among a number of organizations offering online learning programs to schools.

Some schools, notably Binghamton High School, have used online instruction for remedial work, allowing students the chance to earn credit for courses they failed.

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Thesys International Nominated for Online Learning Innovator Awards

ANAHEIM, CA, Oct 17, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Thesys International, a new education technology business that supports schools with a hybrid online/classroom approach to education is nominated for the 2011 Innovative Online Learning Practice Award. The honor is one of four bestowed each year by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) as part of its annual Online Learning Innovator Awards. The winners will be announced at the association’s Virtual School Symposium, held November 9-11 in Indianapolis.

The purpose of the Innovative Online Learning Practice Award is to recognize a person, school/program or organization whose innovative practices and policies serve as a model for K-12 online learning and can be replicated by other practitioners. Dr. Cathy Cavanaugh, a past recipient of an Online Learning Innovator Award and associate professor of educational technology at the University of Florida, nominated Thesys for the award.

“We feel honored and humbled to be nominated for the Innovative Online Learning Practice Award, especially by someone so respected in the field,” says Alan Rudi, Principal Solutions Strategist at Thesys International. “Innovation is a priority for Thesys, and is part of our process every step of the way as we develop programs to improve student outcomes through creative online/classroom approaches that engage the next generation of learners.”

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Chino Valley Unified trustee resigning

Brandon Blanchard has announced he will be stepping down from the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees.

Blanchard’s resignation, which is effective Saturday, is because his wife plans to accept a full-time position with the district’s virtual school.

District and government code prohibits a spouse from being hired in the same district that their partner is a school board member in.

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Monterey, Baxter School Building Projects Discussed

The Putnam County School board covered a wide array of issues and needs in Thursday night’s meeting that included recent legislation, key initiatives and a new virtual school. But much of the meeting’s time was spent examining proposed building projects within the district.

The Monterey and Baxter building projects were given the initial green light earlier this week when the nine person Finance Committee of the County Commission voted 6-3 to issue $53 million in bonds that would be used to build a new Baxter Middle School, a new Monterey High School, and expanded space for Upperman High School. The approved number represents a $2 million reduction from the initial proposal, but is still anticipated to be a difficult number for many Commissioners.
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LAKE ELSINORE: Online school readies for opening

Southern California Online Academy, the Lake Elsinore Unified School District’s new charter school, is nearly ready to open.

Classes start Aug. 10 at the virtual school for students in kindergarten through 12th grades. Nearly 160 students have enrolled, said Alain Guevera, assistant superintendent for instructional support services for the district.

Principal Veronica Godinez, eight teachers and the clerical staff have been hired. Finishing touches are being put on a new computer lab at the school’s campus.

While the students will work mostly from computers at home, they will also be able to meet with teachers and work in computer labs or have lessons in campus classrooms, Godinez said.

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Online school to give presentation to local parents

COSTA MESA — With today’s technology, education isn’t limited to the physical classroom. One virtual school wants locals to learn more about what the school can offer them.

Capistrano Connections Academy, an online K-12 school, is hosting an information session July 25 at Costa Mesa’s Residence Inn for families considering educational options beyond the brick-and-mortar schools.

“I think for a lot of families virtual school is something that is hard to imagine at first … but it’s a lot more individualized,” said teacher Leslie Dombeck, adding that “it’s a very good alternative type of education.”

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Broderick: Parents deserve choice on education

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s appearance before a joint House and Senate Education Committee hearing today should offer a stark contrast between a state that has embraced parental choice in education and one still grappling with a discriminatory constitutional provision.

Florida empowers families to have the financial freedom to choose the best school for their children. Florida has the broadest array of public, private and virtual school options in the nation. Last school year, nearly 29,000 low-income students received scholarships funded by the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. This program allows businesses to receive dollar-for-dollar tax credits for contributions made to nonprofit organizations that provide tuition scholarships to low-income children.

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“Virtual School” in Lodi Lets Students Study from Home

LODI—

Log on in Lodi. Instead of going to school, students can stay home and take their tests in their pajamas.

And with tight school budgets, this is new trend school districts across the country are turning to. Like most teens, Shea Killian heads to her room when she needs some space. But unlike most teens, Shea can go to school without leaving her room.

Shea Killian says, “I’m not on the computer for 7 hours and I have free time.” Going to virtual school happened by accident for Shea, literally. She was hit by a car and off her feet for nine weeks. That forced her to sign up for online classes. Her family found out the accident may have been a blessing in disguise. Her mother Jackie Killian says, “This gets her going to study harder and get her work done.”

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Online learning program gives Simi students another way to earn credits

The Simi Valley Unified school board has approved the purchase of an online learning program that will allow students to recover credits this summer and attend a virtual school in the fall.

At a special meeting April 14, the board unanimously approved the purchase of the APEX Learning Digital Curriculum, which will operate from four computer labs at Simi Valley High School.

The purchase price of $55,050 includes one year of digital access to ClassTools Virtual containing general studies and Advanced Placement course materials and examination preparation tools for AP testing, California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Mathematics and CAHSEE English- Language Arts.

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LEUSD Considers Online Virtual Charter School

Teachers for the online program would be fully credentialed, and the school would meet school standards set up by the state, Dennis said.

Students and teachers would be able to communicate with one another through communication tools provided in the course delivery platform; students would also be able to communicate with each other, Dennis explained.

Additionally, the program would provide for field trips and labs where students can meet face to face. And students would find most of the same classes provided in a traditional school setting, he continued.

Even some instructional physical education classes would be offered.

In an online or virtual school, students take classes provided on an internet site. Such schools are touted by supporters as ideal for students living in remote locations, students bound to home because of health issues, athletes who are often away from the physical school setting and students needing extra credits to graduate.

Dennis said the program would be developed gradually, based on enrollment.

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