West Virginia Virtual School:
Success Strategies for
Facilitators
Sharon Gainer, WVVS Registrar
Office of Technology and
Information Systems
West Virginia Department of Education
The Facilitator is the
physical representative of
the teacher in the distancelearning classroom.
Why Distance Learning
Courses?
A significant share of West Virginia’s
students live in rural areas, and attend
small schools.
WV has a decreasing population base,
and this has resulted in public school staff
cuts.
WVVS was created “to offer high quality
educational courses via Internet
technology to all students.”
In this setting, technological solutions are
a key to assuring equitable access to
education.
WVVS Model
WV does not currently have the resources to
create and deliver web-based courses (the
current exception to this is Spanish).
WVVS delivery model involves:
identifying providers that offer both high-quality
courses and course delivery options.
identifying quality courses that align with
corresponding state content standards.
WVVS model requires that the course
provider make available an online teacher to
direct and guide the student through the
learning process.
Content + Electronic Delivery + Online
Teacher = Tuition Model currently used by
WVVS
Role of WVVS
WVVS operates as a broker for state’s
public schools and facilitates operational
areas of delivery.
WVVS evaluates and selects providers.
WVVS evaluates and approves courses.
WVDE negotiates statewide prices for
services.
WVVS currently provides 100% of tuition
through a grant funded by the WV Legislature
and awarded through a joint partnership of the
WV Educational Broadcasting Authority and
the WV Department of Education.*
Tuitions can be funded until the funds have
been expended.*
What you need to know…
All courses meet WV State Curriculum
Goals and Objectives
Counselors insure that courses fit
students’ educational programs
Some courses are electives—must be
approved by county
AP courses come from course provider,
not WVVS (College Board Requirements)
Student must be in WVEIS
Local VS Policy
School/County Virtual School Policy
may provide guidelines for
Which student may enroll
Proctoring exams
Drop policy
Conditions for parent payment
Role of facilitator
The Facilitator
is the key
to success.
Congratulations…
You are the facilitator because…
you are the virtual school contact
you are the content specialist
you are the technologist
you run the lab
you are the guidance counselor
you hold the short straw
What is your plan
to ensure that the
students succeed
in the virtual
environment?
WVVS Training Options:
WVVS Web Site
On-Line Tutorial for Virtual School Contacts
On-Line Tutorial for Facilitators
Course Provider Web Sites
Tech Coordinator at XXHS
School level virtual school contact
WVVS registrar
Seat Time vs. Content
Virtual course time constraints depend on
course provider
Completion of course depends on content
There are no incomplete assignments
There are no grades without a transcript
Books and Materials
Under WV school law, school/county
must provide books and materials
Check course provider’s list—many
use digital books
Time is of the essence
Time is of the essence
Choosing End Date
Virtual class completion could
match your semester, block,
trimester schedule
Student can complete on his own
timeframe—faster/slower
Student can work into the summer
Vendor may set end date
Monitor Progress
Weekly meeting with student
On-line monitoring
Reports from course provider
Student “show me” progress
Chart progress of all students
Schedule Disruptions
No snow days
No holidays (exception per vendor)
No shortened schedule days
No excused absences
Rare extensions
Dropping a Course
What is the School VS Policy for
dropping?
What is the vendor’s policy for
drops without cost?
Did you notify the registrar by
email?
Did you notify your school
counselor and VS contact?
How Grades are Reported
Class is entered in WVEIS as
virtual course
AP course grades are reported as
given under Policy 2515
All other courses—numeric grade
given by instructor
Only transcripted grades can be
recorded
Course Providers and
Effective Mentoring and
Monitoring of Students
WVVS Course Providers
AMDG, Inc.
BYU
APEX Learning
Aventa Learning
Florida Virtual School
Mountaineer Virtual
Virtual Greenbush
West Virginia Virtual School
General Recommendations
for Mentoring and Monitoring
Familiarize yourself with provider.
 Require that students periodically
meet with you to discuss progress and
identify any barriers to participation.
Verify student progress via providerrecommended procedures.
 Stay involved! Schools cannot
abdicate responsibility for students.
http://virtualschool.k12.wv.us
The Facilitator is a good
communicator.
Communicates with the
student:
Dates and events
Encouragement
Management skills
Study skills
Computer skills
Communicates with the
WVVS Registrar:
Problems and Questions
technology
learning partners
obstacles to learning
Successes
student
teacher/learning partner
technology
special processes
developments in technology
Communicates with the
principal:
Student progress
Course progress and process
Questions from the teacher
Problems with technology or
services
Successes
Communicates with parent:
Course process and progress
Student behavior and/or other
concerns
Successes and accomplishments
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tips for Successful Facilitation
Good Practice is Good Practice
Select Students with Care
Set Expectations for Students and Parents
Conference with Students to Monitor
Progress
Check Reports Weekly
Report Grades
Bring Issues to Registrar in Timely Manner
And now…
What are your questions?
What are your concerns?
What are your comments?
Contact Information:
Sharon Gainer, Registrar,
West Virginia Virtual School
sgainer@access.k12.wv.us
toll-free at 866-593-8065
Anne Meadows, Asst. Director,
WVDE Office of Technology
ameadows@access.k12.wv.us
304.957.9833 Ext. 53433
The Facilitator in the
Distance Learning
Classroom
*A partnership for learning*