Florida Virtual School Tour
…where every student has a front row seat
www.flvs.net
The e-learning Promise
“In our current system,
time is the constant and achievement
the variable.
We have it backwards.
Achievement should be the constant
and time the variable.”
In Learning a Living: A SCANS Report. Secretary’s Commission on Achieving
Necessary Skills. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Labor, 1992.
What is FLVS?
First state funded virtual high school
An innovative plan to increase
opportunities for:
Minority students
• Rural schools
• Low-performing schools
•
Mission & Vision
Statement
To provide students with high quality
technology based educational opportunities to
gain the knowledge and skills necessary to
succeed in the 21st century.
FLVS History
•
•
•
•
•
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
•
•
2002
Began serving students
School goes statewide
USDLA Excellence in Distance Learning
Offered full curriculum
SACS accreditation
International offerings
GED & Middle School
FLVS Enrollment History
8200
projected
Enrollments in Thousands
8
7
5900
6
5
4
2796
3
2
1
1113
77
227
96-97
97-98
0
98-99
99-00
00-01
Participation Data by School Year
01-02
AP Scores Overall
Percentage of qualifying scores
70.07%
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
19 total
--------13.87%
22 total
--------16.06%
28 total
--------20.44%
31 total
--------22.63%
37 total
--------27.01%
1
2
3
4
5
Total exams taken – 137
Total qualifying scores – 96
2000-2001 Report
FLVS Since 1997…
Student Enrollment
77
8200+
Completion Rate
50%
80%
Our Students Today
54% Public school
38% Home educated
8% Private school
FLVS e-Learning Solutions
Critical graduation credit
Fast track to diploma
Additional credits and scheduling needs
Enhanced course selection
•
•
•
•
Minority students
Rural and high priority schools
Magnets and special programs
Homeschoolers
Any time, any place, any path, any pace
Quality Education
Courses built upon the highest standards
Teachers certified in their subjects
Serve varied learning styles and intelligences
•
•
Different paths & paces
Incorporate real-life situations/motifs/themes
A highly interactive environment
Course Delivery
Web-based platform
Primarily asynchronous
Synchronous capability
•
White board and chat room
Highly-facilitated by certified teacher
Pace Charts
keep students abreast of where they should be working and help them learn
and practice methods of time management
Connections to Teens’
Real World
Computer Programming BASIC I has a game motif and is rarely
taught in traditional schools
All Science Courses Are
Lab Based
This physics lab has photos to support the student’s work at home
Synchronous White Board & Chat
AP Calculus in Action –real time… Teachers & students in
every subject can work LIVE!
Student Choice Is Encouraged
Lessons designs accommodate different types of learning, talents & skills
Honors Extensions
student access to high level courses regardless of what their school offers
Courses Not Readily Available at
Most Schools
FLVS offers XHTML computer programming and web design
High Stakes Testing
FLVS Assists Students Facing High Stakes
Testing
SAT Prep Course (.5 credit)
•
½ math, ½ verbal
FCAT Fitness Course (.5 credit)
•
•
Publicly posted
1/3 math, 1/3 writing, 1/3 reading
Communication Policy
HIGHLY teacher facilitated
Welcome Call
Voice to Voice 1-2 x/month
Ongoing communication with
Students
• Parents
• School Personnel
•
Monthly Progress Reports
Not so with other online providers
Reaching Out
Direct Marketing to districts, schools and
grassroots
Brochures
• Created videos for students
• Presentations
• Curriculum fairs & local expos
• Mailing and emailing
•
Reaching Out
Mass Media
Television –General and Education Channel
• Radio interviews
• Newspaper articles
•
Face to Face
e-Learning Managers
• Guidance Counselors
•
Obstacles
Technology issues
Connectivity
• Hardware limitations
• Computer Access
•
Gatekeepers
Acceptable Use Policy signatures
• Passing on information
•
Addressing Needs
Juvenile Justice
15 other states
International schools
Adult remediation/GED
Professional development
Professional services
Addressing the Needs
Addressing rural technology needs
Wired schools
Provided
Multi-media computers
• Video conferencing equipment
• Mini-grants for teachers
• Wireless pilots
•
Addressing the Needs
Creating a Foundation
• Reaching out to digital divide migrant programs
• FLVS computers loaned to rural schools
Developing Minority Outreach Partnerships
Digital Divide Councils
Workforce Empowerment
Florida Learning Alliance
Florida Virtual
School
…where every student has a front row seat
www.flvs.net