VOISE Academy High School Virtual Opportunities Inside a School Environment Chicago, Illinois

1. VOISE Academy High SchoolVirtual Opportunities Inside aSchool Environment Chicago, Illinois

2. Today’s Digital Learners There is a disconnect between what we offer in schools and what the students need or want.

3. VOISE Academy is… A small hybrid high school which integrates face-to-face teacher instruction with rigorous online curriculum. VOISE combines technology, best distance learning pedagogy, and quality online curriculum with exemplary classroom teachers to provide individual choice, scholarship, and achievement providing • rigorous, relevant, quality, accredited online curriculum allowing students to work at their own pace and truly master the material; • certified, subject matter teachers who provide the highest level of digital instruction while also tailoring to the individual needs of students. • emphasis on building relationships as a catalyst to meeting high expectations and creating students that are prepared for and will go to college.

4. VOISE Academy is also… • A Chicago Public School Renaissance 2010 High School. Funding and requirements are the same as all CPS high schools. VOISE is a “regular” CPS Small School. • The academic day follows typical CPS guidelines/schedules with 150 students in 9th grade the first year -- expanding to 12th grade with a maximum of 600 students. • Students are responsible for reading and assignments in class and outside-of-class homework and projects just as they are in traditional classes. • Students are required to complete the same assessments and fulfill the same credit requirements as any other CPS high school student.

5. VOISE Structure and Demographics • VOISE shares a campus with two other small schools in the Austin Community on Chicago’s West Side. The Austin Campus was formerly Austin High School which was closed to extremely poor performance and violence. • 95% of students reside in the Austin Community. Students choose to attend VOISE, but there is no other application requirement. • 99% Free or Reduced Lunch. • Computers access is provided in homes as needed for online students for outside homework, projects, and research activities.

6. The Benefits of the VOISE Model • Great teachers are in each classroom with a traditional schedule structure. • Teachers play more of a “coach” role and help students individually work through the curriculum. • Teachers have more time to actually teach and less administrative tasks. This allows more time to find enrichment activities that will engage more students. • Individual course needs, learning styles, and paces met. Individualized learning plans • Online classes are not limited by class size. Students can take a variety of electives and Advanced Placement courses. • Students have responsibility for their learning • More choice, engagement, and individual teacher-student interaction so • Drop-out rates decrease • Graduation rates and college enrollment rise.

7. Highest quality, digital content is available to students through online courses. Students can work at their own pace (repeat learning objects when necessary, move more quickly and study deeper when desired). The classroom teacher can then work with students on an individual basis, while also having more time to work on finding enrichment activities that engage students and develop advanced critical thinking. The VOISE Model Lets the Classroom Teacher Focus on the Individual Learner

8. Data is at the core of the VOISE Model Digital Curriculum Model Provides: • Real-time assessment of students. • Quick and easy access to student data. • Immediate feedback for students. This allows Teachers to: • Address learning gaps immediately. • Use of reading diagnostic data created a two grade level increase on average • Target students for intervention. • Adjust/modify instruction. • Give students and parents the information they need, when they need it, to drive their decisions.

9. The VOISE Classroom • All classrooms have mobile furniture for individual, small group, and whole group instruction. • All students have an assigned laptop to carry from class to class. • Wireless carts provide access without the need for hard wiring, but needed additional outlets. • A teacher’s station, projector, and networked printer is in each room. • A SMART board is in each room. • Variety of digital tools in each classroom (i.e. class response systems, digital writing tablets, etc)

10. In this new, self-paced model, students are more satisfied and are becoming more independent learners. Satisfaction and success is keeping students in school, on-track for graduation, and prepared for college. Students are given the flexibility of online learning, with the support of face-to-face instructors. Additionally, students work in a one-to-one laptop environment and gain daily exposure to 21st Century Skills. How does the model impact students?

11. Successes • 75% Freshmen On Track Rate 2008-2009 • 81% Freshmen On Track Rate 2009-2010 • CPS Average 64% • Other Schools in the Austin Community below 55% • 87% On Pace to Graduate • CPS Average 60% • 61% of VOISE students made gains on ACT’s EPAS Assessments between 9th and 10th grade • CPS Average below 50% • Other Schools in the Austin Community below 30% • VOISE students increased in literacy by 2 or more grade levels in their first year.

12. VOISE: What have we learned? • Online Curriculum Gives EVERY Student the tools and opportunity to Succeed • Culture of High Expectations • Literacy is the Key • High Levels of Student Engagement • Confidence • Teacher Recruitment based on technical and personal skills • Attention to Detail Leave nothing to Chance

13. VOISE: What Next? • Over 500 applications for 150 seats in the Freshmen class of 2010-2011 • CPS pilot for the use of “ACT style” online assessments • Juniors begin ACT Prep using a variety of online tools, including Key Train and Elevate Math. • Students begin to take electives in 2010-2011 • Senior year plan for students to have flexible schedule including classes that meet outside the walls of VOISE. • Senior year students begin to take college courses online through a partnership with Chicago City Colleges.

14. The essence of this small hybrid school includes choice, responsibility, relationships, relevance and increasing the number and diversity of high quality educational opportunities for student success and satisfaction in the Chicago Public Schools. The goal of graduating and preparing all students for college, military, or the work force will be met, but The expectation at VOISE Academy is that EVERY student will have the option of going to COLLEGE!