Using Online Curriculum to Implement a Virtual Academy and In-House Alternative Education Program Tammy J. Miller Instructional Technology Coach Chestnut Ridge School District

How it looks at Chestnut Ridge The costs are almost doubling during a three-year period. Charters / Cyber Charters Agora Cyber Charter $0.00 $10, Achievement House Charter $4,742.55$0.00 Commonwealth Connection $9,870.27$22,596.11$45, Central PA Digital Learning Foundation $29,982.15$41,336.60$17, Pennsylvania Cyber Charter $3,520.31$20,229.21$13, Pennsylvania Leadership Charter $22,948.48$19,761.13$20, Pennsylvania Virtual Charter $23,771.17$39,585.93$50, Ridgeview Academy / Dr. Kettering Charter $4,784.10$6,237.12$0.00 Tuscarora Blended Learning Charter $4,252.25$27,884.15$37, TOTALS $103,871.28$177,630.25$194,060.49

Number Comparison Tuitions Costs With / Without Virtual Academy In , nine additional tuitions would have been incurred. In , twelve additional tuitions would have billed.

Number Comparison Tuition Costs vs. District Cost Per Student Figures vary from student to student. Numbers are typical of enrolled students.

Let’s Re-visit Some Numbers Actual District Savings Virtual Academy costs are stable; not considering the cost of a laptop.

So how are we doing it? An Overview of the Chestnut Ridge Virtual Academy 20 District Courses English 12 English 11 English 10 English 9 Algebra I Algebra IC Geometry Geometry C American History 9 World Cultures American History / Economics American Government Biology Chem in the Community Technical Physics Accounting Senior Seminar Freshmen Seminar / Computer Applications Child Development Wellness Courses delivered via Blackboard Development Costs $500 per course Sub coverage for 4 work days Cost of instruction $250 per student

So how are we doing it? An Overview of the Chestnut Ridge Virtual Academy 20 District Courses Plato Software Self-paced online software Currently using 9-12 Initial investment 15 “seats” $15,000 Assign students a HQT Cost of instruction $125 per student

So how are we doing it? An Overview of the Chestnut Ridge Virtual Academy Plato Software 20 District Courses Advanced Academics Self-paced online software Currently using 5-8 Students have access to HQT as needed Cost of instruction $300 per student per course

So how are we doing it? An Overview of the Chestnut Ridge Virtual Academy Advanced Academics Plato Software 20 District Courses PE Solution District purchases a 3-month Membership at local facility for students 9-12 Students are supervised by certified physical trainer Fitness program has been approved by district employed HQT Advanced Academics offers an online PE course for students 5-8

So how are we doing it? An Overview of the Chestnut Ridge Virtual Academy Plato Software Advanced Academics PE Solution 20 District Courses On-Site Coordinator First point of contact Monitors attendance Monitors student progress Communicates with parents Facilitate weekly meeting with students

So how are we doing it? An Overview of the Chestnut Ridge Virtual Academy 20 District Courses Plato Software Advanced Academics PE Solution On-Site Coordinator Learning Support Students are scheduled time with a LS teacher as needed to meet the terms of each individual IEP Courses are adapted as needed Transportation arrangements are made as needed

In Of the nine students who came and went through the Virtual Academy… 3 remained in the Virtual Academy for the entire year and successfully passed all coursework 1 remained in the Virtual Academy for the entire year and successfully passed 4 of 6 courses 1 student completed the school year, successfully passing all courses, blending his school day with two periods a day face-to-face and the remainder of his coursework via the Virtual Academy 1 student was pulled back “in house” 1 student dropped out of school 2 students were subsequently placed in the district’s Alternative Education program 3 remained in the Virtual Academy for the entire year and successfully passed all coursework 1 remained in the Virtual Academy for the entire year and successfully passed 4 of 6 courses 1 student completed the school year, successfully passing all courses, blending his school day with two periods a day face-to-face and the remainder of his coursework via the Virtual Academy 1 student was pulled back “in house” 1 student dropped out of school 2 students were subsequently placed in the district’s Alternative Education program Our Students Sometimes it’s a coin toss!

In Of the twelve students who came and went through the Virtual Academy… 5 remained in the Virtual Academy for the entire year and successfully passed all coursework 1 student remained in the Virtual Academy for the entire year and successfully passed 3 out of 5 courses 1 student completed the school year, successfully passing all courses, blending her school day with two periods a day face-to-face and the remainder of his coursework via the Virtual Academy 2 students dropped out of school 2 students were subsequently placed in the district’s Alternative Education program 1 student enrolled for the second semester and did not pass a single course 5 remained in the Virtual Academy for the entire year and successfully passed all coursework 1 student remained in the Virtual Academy for the entire year and successfully passed 3 out of 5 courses 1 student completed the school year, successfully passing all courses, blending her school day with two periods a day face-to-face and the remainder of his coursework via the Virtual Academy 2 students dropped out of school 2 students were subsequently placed in the district’s Alternative Education program 1 student enrolled for the second semester and did not pass a single course Our Students Sometimes it’s a coin toss!

STUDENT A Spent two years at a PA Cyber Cost the district $13,860 Earned ½ credit in Wellness Earned 4 credits the 1 st year attending the Virtual Academy Earned 7 credits this year STUDENT B Consider the following… Let’s look at the bottom line. What’s the big ? Was failing all courses in house Parental request to enroll in Virtual Academy Failed all courses

What’s the big question? Where is it cheaper for a student to fail?

Ran a pilot program in Target goal was six enrollments. Contacted via telephone all families of students who were district residents attending cyber alternatives Two families contacted us regarding possible online education for their children with health issues Recouped one student Kept eight other enrollments in our Virtual Academy In year two, designed a brochure and sent a mailer Followed the mailer with telephone contacts. Recouped three additional students and kept nine other enrollments in our Virtual Academy Cold Calls & Legwork How Did We Start?

What we’ve learned….

Questions?

An Overview of Alternative Education in the Chestnut Ridge School District STAR Program Students Trekking a New Ridge

Alternative Education Programs in Bedford Co. Nulton Diagnostic & Treatment Center COST: $130/day Extended Family Academy, EFA COST: approx. $150/day Manito COST: approx. $110/day

Alternative Education Programs in Bedford County Nulton Diagnostic

Alternative Education Programs in Bedford County Behavioral Programs EFA Northern Point Learning (06-07) Manito (09-10)

Structure and Schedule- covering the basics Behavior Modification System Student progress, consistency, or regression is measured daily. Privileges and Consequences Given according to the student’s ability to perform academically and behaviorally. Schedule Consistently maintained to ensure predictability and seamless transition between learning modules.

Counseling- offering support based on the needs of the student. Focused on replacing negative attitude and behavior with personal accountability and the willingness to learn. Individual and Group Sessions offered weekly. Creating a stronger foundation for academic and behavioral success. Group- occurs once per week

Career Exploration and Service Learning Offered daily by our Guidance Counselors and Social Services Coordinator. Assisting students with identifying potential career paths based on their interests and personal strengths. Providing an essential link between the regular education setting and the student participating in the program. Teaching lessons of selfless giving and taking the role of productive members in our community.

Program Activities - Giving back Bedford County Food Bank- learning how to take an active role in our community. STAR sponsored food drive- organized by students in the high school. Benefited the New Paris Food Bank. Picnic Tables- completed during service learning activity. These tables are featured outside of the cafeteria and available for all student and staff use.

Benefits to the District Cost Savings During the school year, the STAR Program will have saved the District more than $78, 000. This figure takes staff salaries, counseling agreement, educational software, and general supply costs into account. Helping our students stay in school Drop out rate has been reduced 200% in comparison to last year’s statistics.

Attendance Students that attend the program are at a higher risk for drop out and being absent from school. STAR Program attendance has risen to 88% in comparison to 74% during the school year. We are keeping our students where they need to be during the formative years of their life. Benefits to the District

District Courses via Blackboard Plato Advanced Academics Learning Supports are also in place for students with IEP needs Curriculum

What we’ve learned….

Questions?

Plato is our primary provider for summer school students Blackboard semester courses are popular choice with high school students Summer courses from Advanced Academics are used for enrolled middle schoolers Summer School Opportunities Utilizing the same online curriculum options

Summer School Opportunities Our students are currently studying… Senior Seminar Driver’s Ed Pre-Algebra Algebra I Algebra II Fundamentals of Math 7 Fundamentals of Math 8 Earth Science Wellness PE

Summer School Enrollments Credit Recovery & Acceleration students 7 courses students 28 courses

Program Guidelines Credit Recovery Students must be online 3 hours a day 5 days a week 4 weeks or until coursework is complete Acceleration Daily requirements are flexible Continuous steady progress Can work at home or inhouse.

Tuition $135 per course $60 per PE course $150 per Advanced Academics course Cost to District $125 HQT stipend Facilitator stipend Summer School Fees & Expenses Credit Recovery & Acceleration

Tammy J Miller Chestnut Ridge School District (814) x 3343