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.