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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 AdministrationKVHS 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.