The Kentucky Virtual High School Linda A. Pittenger, Director SEIR-TEC April 2001

KVHS - Quick Facts Opened Pilot 24 January 2000 Program of state department of education Not a credit-granting institution - KVHS teaches for the schools 4 Staff/ 18 Part-time teachers/ $500K/yr From 47 (Spring 2000) to 350+ students 30 courses – broad spectrum of content/ broad spectrum of learners

Kentucky – Quick Facts 3.9 million Kentuckians 600,000 K12 Students 40,000 K12 Teachers 176 School Districts 1290 schools 250 high schools

What We Believe All children can learn at higher levels The school is the best place to make decisions about what happens in the school High standards and high expectations produce high achievement We teach for results and build accountability for results Equity is crucial; inequity is unacceptable

Why a Virtual High School? More choices for students Equitable learning opportunity Address local teacher shortages Distribute and model online teaching and learning

Every School/ Every Child Commonwealth Diploma available from every school Foreign Languages Increase graduation rates – especially for alternative education Improve literacy through accelerated learning programs Recapture drop-outs and push- outs

The Ground Rules KVHS will augment local school services - not compete with local schools All courses will be taught by Kentucky teachers All courses will be aligned with state and national curriculum standards

Online Learning? Web-based Education Commission, October 2000 Shortcomings Focus on recall of facts Teacher and textbook centered instruction Limited social interaction Antiquated assessment

Online Learning More Engagement More Interaction More Content

Online Learning More Engagement in Learning  “Learner-centered” instruction  Adaptive learning/ critical thinking  No back row / No labels

Online Learning More Interaction with Learners  Creation of learning communities  Greater collaboration/ broader reach to global resources and diversities  Faculty focused on critical thinking & comprehension

Online Learning More Content  Real-world applicability  Increased access to content  More, varied opportunity to demonstrate knowledge  Inter-disciplinary is easier

Real World Issues for a Virtual School Structure and Administration Funding Curriculum and Instructional Management Faculty Student Retention, Student Retention, Student Retention

Program Administration KVHS is an educational service managed by state department:  All enrollments come through local high school  Credit is granted by the local high school  Local school retains “ownership” of student  Shared responsibility for student progress

Funding Modified cost recovery – $275/ $500 School pays fee out of ADA/FTE Fee payment governed by local policy:  Schools pay fee if course is for- credit and not available at the school Policies are not consistent across districts

Learning Environment Web Based/ 24 x 7 25 students in a class Classroom Model (v. Independent Study) Small group work Extensive use of threaded discussion, writing, and research in all content areas From “seat time” to “comprehension time”– performance based credit From traditional assessments to portfolio assessments

Student Retention Communication with teachers Course Design that engages Interaction with other students Time and opportunity to learn Preparation (content and writing) Realistic expectations Partner at the school Partner in the home

Attendance Accounting Credit earned and ADA generated for courses taken outside the normal school day and away from the school Physical presence not required

Courses Core Courses Advanced Placement Dual credit w/ Virtual University Foreign languages and electives Accelerated learning and study skills Value-added: Online Writing Center and Virtual Counseling Office

Common Platform/ Multiple Content Providers Platform eCollege Courses License from private sector License from public sector Develop Decision Points – Content and Course Design

KVHS Faculty Kentucky secondary certifications Part-time Personal Services Contract Paid at same scale – Base plus add-on per student $1K + $65$1.25K + $70 $1.5K + $95$2K + $100 Course development, mentoring, team-teaching as fee-for-service

Policy Implications for Schools Criteria for participation (who?) Scope of participation (how much?) Accommodation and monitoring (when?) Scheduling and access? Who pays? Academic calendar? Middle school access? Seniors completing early?

Critical Success Factors Teachers Small class sizes Course design – interaction, differentiated instruction Choices/ ability to accommodate learning styles Engaged partners in the school Equitable access and support Rapid cycle of innovation, reflection, change

Other Dimensions of Kentucky Virtual High School Virtual Learning for Educators  Information dissemination  Technical assistance  Professional Development Virtual Teaming  Working online across organizational/ geographic boundaries to solve problems and support schools  Efficient, effective, everywhere, every time

What’s Next Growth Identify targets Build core competencies Increase capacities Extend P16, non-public and middle school agenda

Before you make the menu for the party, take a good, long cook’s tour of the kitchen and the pantry.