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Virtual School Case Study

Virtual School Case Study. New Hampshire. Introduction. Introduction.

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Virtual School Case Study

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  1. Virtual School Case Study New Hampshire

  2. Introduction

  3. Introduction A phenomenal increase in online learning has provided a myriad of novel opportunities for students to participate in educational programs which were previously inaccessible to them. The New Hampshire Virtual Learning Academy (http://www.vlacs.org/), established in May 2007, is New Hampshire's first statewide, on-line high school that is available, free of charge, to all high school students who live in New Hampshire.

  4. Mission • The New Hampshire Virtual Academy’s mission is to • provide: • Anytime, anywhere access to a rigorous, personalized education • Tuition-free education for all students residing in New Hampshire • Acceptance of both full-time and part-time students • Acceptance of out-of-state tuition paying students • Courses exclusively taught by New Hampshire certified instructors • A viable option for high school dropout students who wish to earn a high school diploma while maintaining a job. (2006, NHDOE).

  5. Mission Cont,d • Opportunities for all students to personalize their education (2006, NHDOE). • Ongoing, one-on-one communication between students and teachers. • Commitment to collecting meaningful data to measure growth in personal, physical, social, and the academic characteristics of each student. • Fostering 21st century skills such as global awareness, self-directed learning skills, information and communications technology literacy, problem-solving skills, and time management and personal responsibility (Virtual Schools and 21st Century Skills, NACOL, 2006)).

  6. Organizational Structure The School is governed by an 8 member Board of Trustee which governs in accordance with the National School Boards Association's “Key Work of School Boards” concepts to focus the trustees work in eight key areas: Vision Standards Assessment Accountability Alignment Climate collaborative relationships, and continuous improvement (VLA:Charter School Application, 2007).

  7. Organizational Structure The current administrative Leadership team consists of: • Chief Executive Officer (Dr. Stephen Kossakoski), • Chief Human Resource Officer (Tony Baldasaro), • Director of Guidance & Student Services (Kyle Cote), • Director of Academic Support & Professional Development (Ollire Lane-Wortley), • Chief Information Officer (Matt Oquist), and a • Director of Instruction (Scott Prescott).

  8. Regulatory Environment The VLACS regulations falls under the auspices of the New Hampshire Department of Education, as such, methods of compliance with federal, state and district laws are authored, or subject to approval by the board of education..

  9. Regulatory Environment The Board oversees regulations pertaining to: • Educationally disabled pupils • Nondiscrimination • Student governance • Fiscal accounts and reporting • School calendar arrangements, as well as, • Adequate insurance coverage

  10. Scope of Offerings The Academy offers over 50 courses ranging from middle school courses to Advanced Placement courses and eStart courses which are offered for dual high school and college credit.

  11. Scope of Offerings Cont,d Students may select from several courses available to receive both high school and college credit. Full time students take a full course load of 5 credits per year, while Part-time students can take four classes at one time.

  12. Scope of Offerings Cont,d Many new courses are offered

  13. Students The school’s vision is to target students who can meet a list of criteria (adapted from Valencia Community College), which includes: • Self-directed, motivated, and self-disciplined; • Able to set a personal schedule and complete assigned work by the required dates; • Average or better writing and communication skills; • Can solve problems and work through difficulties independently;

  14. Student Cont,d • Can read and follow detailed instructions; • Comfortable with using the Internet as a means of communication and research; • Access to a computer with an Internet connection. Students who could meet these criteria may include current public school students, home schooled students, student sattending private school, or students who have dropped out of school.

  15. Teachers • Teachers are employed for instruction in areas such as: • Mathematics, • Science, • English, • World Languages • Art • Social Studies, • Physical Education, and • Music.

  16. Teachers Cont,d • New Hampshire certified and highly qualified according to state standards” (VLACS, 2011) • Mentored To ensure a smooth transition into online learning environment. • Resides all over New England • Inclusive of twenty-three full-time and fifty part-time teachers. • Communicates with students through the Academy’s open source, Web-based course management system.

  17. Currently • All enrollment expectations • exceeded; as of 2009-10 • the school Is serving: • Grades 7-12 • Approximately 4,000 part-time students • Nearly 8,000 course enrollments • Increased professional development offerings & student communication via Wimba Pronto.

  18. VLACS Website • Short URL (http://www.vlacs.org/) • Quick download time • Less scrolling • Direct links to key action points of interest for students, parents, teachers • Excellent Accessibility features • Convenient Navigation

  19. VLACS Website’s Key Action Points A careful perusal of the website reveals its effectiveness in serving parents, students and/or teachers/administrators using the following Tabs: • Commercials • Student & Parent • Information Center • VLACS Course Catalog • Educators • Admissions • General Information

  20. Conclusion The Seacoastonline.com (2009),reported positive achievements on the first anniversary of the academy. They lauded the increased curriculum offerings, the growth in student population (Quadrupled in one year), and more than double academic staff (from 40 to just under 100).Fosters.Com (2009), also reported that students academic achievements as a result of the enhanced learning opportunities provided by the academy, has been commendable. In addition, details of interviews and testimonials expressing satisfaction from students, parents and faculty about improvements in learning achievements has resulted in many new enrollments. It is very apparent that the chief goal of the VALCS is to provide the absolute best education available within a distant learning environment. This investment by the New Hampshire DOE is evidently an investment in the future of the students.

  21. References • Claffey, J., (2009).New Hampshire's first virtual high school classroom program • In Exeter getting good grades: Foster.com. Retrieved March 21, 2011 fromhttp://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090803/GJNEWS_01/708039916 • Feals. J. (2009). Virtual learning academy charter school celebrates 1 year: • Seacoastonline.com. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090210-NEWS-902100325 • Image (2007): VLACS Organizational Chart. Retrieved March 22, 2011 from • http://www.vlacs.org/pdf/VLACS_Charter.pdf • Image, (2008): VLACS staff. Retrieved March 22, 2011 from • http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090210NEWS-902100325?Template=photos • Image, (2011):eStart. Retrieved March 22, 2011 from http://www.ccsnh.edu/estart/ • Image, (2011). New Hampshire board of education. Retrieved March 21, 2011 from http://www.education.nh.gov/index.htm

  22. References Cont,d • Keeping Pace with Online Learning K-12. (2010) Data & information new hampshire. Retrieved March 16, 2011 from http://kpk12.com/states/new-hampshire/ • New Hampshire Virtual Learning Academy, (2011). Retrieved March 21, 2011 from http://www.vlacs.org/ • New Hampshire Department of Education, (2010). Online school information • http://www.education.nh.gov/program/school_approval/online.htm • New hampshire Center for School Reform.(2008). Part ed 318 charter and open • enrollment schools. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from http://www.nhschoolreform.org/Legislation%20Pages/ed318.htm • VLACS, (2008). New hampshire virtual learning academy charter school • increases professional development offerings & student communication via wimba. Retrieved March 18, 2011 fromhttp://www.wimba.com/assets/resources/wimbaSpotlight_VLACS_lores.pdf • VLACS, (2007). Charter School Application. Retrieved March 21, 2011 from http://www.vlacs.org/pdf/VLACS_Charter.pdf • Image, (2011). New Hampshire. Retrieved March 23, 2011 from http://www.mapwatch.com/multi- maps/full/new-hampshire-county-map.gif

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