Virtual School Case Study New Hampshire

Instructor: Dr. Kecia Campbell-Ray 

Duke Longman 

March 21, 2011 

Introduction

Introduction

A phenomenal increase in online learning has provided a myriad of novel opportunities for students to participate in educational programs which were previously inaccessible to them. The New Hampshire Virtual Learning Academy (http://www.vlacs.org/), established in May 2007, is New Hampshire's first statewide, on-line high school that is available, free of charge, to all high school students who live in New Hampshire.

MissionThe New Hampshire Virtual Academy’s mission is to provide:

• Anytime, anywhere access to a rigorous, personalized education

• Tuition-free education for all students residing in New Hampshire

• Acceptance of both full-time and part-time students• Acceptance of out-of-state tuition paying students • Courses exclusively taught by New Hampshire certified

instructors• A viable option for high school dropout students who

wish to earn a high school diploma while maintaining a job. (2006, NHDOE).

Mission Cont,d• Opportunities for all students to personalize their

education (2006, NHDOE).• Ongoing, one-on-one communication between students

and teachers. • Commitment to collecting meaningful data to measure

growth in personal, physical, social, and the academic characteristics of each student.

• Fostering 21st century skills such as global awareness, self-directed learning skills, information and communications technology literacy, problem-solving skills, and time management and personal responsibility (Virtual Schools and 21st Century Skills, NACOL, 2006)).

Organizational Structure The School is governed by an 8 member Board of Trustee which governs in accordance with the National School Boards Association's “Key Work of School Boards” concepts to focus the trustees work in eight key areas:

1. Vision2. Standards3. Assessment4. Accountability5. Alignment6. Climate7. collaborative relationships, and8. continuous improvement (VLA:Charter School Application, 2007).

Organizational StructureThe current administrativeLeadership team consists of:

Chief Executive Officer (Dr. Stephen Kossakoski),

Chief Human Resource Officer (Tony Baldasaro),

Director of Guidance & Student Services (Kyle Cote),

Director of Academic Support & Professional Development (Ollire Lane-Wortley),

Chief Information Officer (Matt Oquist), and a

Director of Instruction (Scott Prescott).

Regulatory EnvironmentThe VLACS regulations falls under the auspices of the New Hampshire Department of Education, as such, methods of compliance with federal, state and district laws are authored, or subject to approval by the board of education..

Regulatory EnvironmentThe Board oversees regulations pertaining to:

Educationally disabled pupils

Nondiscrimination Student governance Fiscal accounts and

reporting School calendar

arrangements, as well as,

Adequate insurance coverage

Scope of Offerings

The Academy offers over 50 courses ranging from middle school courses to Advanced Placement courses and eStart courses which are offered for dual high school and college credit.

Scope of Offerings Cont,dStudents may select from several courses available to receive both high school and college credit. Full time students take a full course load of 5 credits per year, while Part-time students can take four classes at one time.

Scope of Offerings Cont,dMany new courses are offered

StudentsThe school’s vision is to target students who can meet a list of criteria (adapted from Valencia Community College), which includes:

Self-directed, motivated, and self-disciplined;

Able to set a personal schedule and complete assigned work by the required dates;

Average or better writing and communication skills;

Can solve problems and work through difficulties independently;

Student Cont,d Can read and follow

detailed instructions; Comfortable with using the

Internet as a means of communication and research;

Access to a computer with an Internet connection.

Students who could meet these criteria may include current public school students, home schooled students, student sattending private school, or students who have dropped out of school.

Teachers

Teachers are employed for instruction in areas such as:

• Mathematics, • Science, • English, • World Languages• Art• Social Studies,• Physical Education, and • Music.

Teachers Cont,d• New Hampshire certified and

highly qualified according to state standards” (VLACS, 2011)

• Mentored To ensure a smooth transition into online learning environment.

• Resides all over New England• Inclusive of twenty-three full-

time and fifty part-time teachers.

• Communicates with students through the Academy’s open source, Web-based course management system.

CurrentlyAll enrollment expectations

exceeded; as of 2009-10 the school Is serving: • Grades 7-12 • Approximately 4,000

part-time students• Nearly 8,000 course

enrollments• Increased professional

development offerings & student communication via Wimba Pronto.

VLACS Website Short URL (

http://www.vlacs.org/) Quick download time Less scrolling Direct links to key action

points of interest for students, parents, teachers

Excellent Accessibility features

Convenient Navigation

VLACS Website’s Key Action Points

Commercials Student & Parent Information Center VLACS Course Catalog Educators Admissions General Information

A careful perusal of the website reveals its effectiveness in serving parents, students and/or teachers/administrators using the following Tabs:

ConclusionThe Seacoastonline.com (2009),reported positive achievements on the first anniversary of the academy. They lauded the increased curriculum offerings, the growth in student population (Quadrupled in one year), and more than double academic staff (from 40 to just under 100).Fosters.Com (2009), also reported that students academic achievements as a result of the enhanced learning opportunities provided by the academy, has been commendable. In addition, details of interviews and testimonials expressing satisfaction from students, parents and faculty about improvements in learning achievements has resulted in many new enrollments. It is very apparent that the chief goal of the VALCS is to provide the absolute best education available within a distant learning environment. This investment by the New Hampshire DOE is evidently an investment in the future of the students.

References Claffey, J., (2009).New Hampshire's first virtual high school classroom program

In Exeter getting good grades: Foster.com. Retrieved March 21, 2011 fromhttp://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090803/GJNEWS_01/708039916

Feals. J. (2009). Virtual learning academy charter school celebrates 1 year:

Seacoastonline.com. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090210-NEWS-902100325

Image (2007): VLACS Organizational Chart. Retrieved March 22, 2011 from http://www.vlacs.org/pdf/VLACS_Charter.pdf

Image, (2008): VLACS staff. Retrieved March 22, 2011 from http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090210NEWS-902100325?Template=photos

Image, (2011):eStart. Retrieved March 22, 2011 from http://www.ccsnh.edu/estart/

Image, (2011). New Hampshire board of education. Retrieved March 21, 2011 from http://www.education.nh.gov/index.htm

References Cont,d Keeping Pace with Online Learning K-12. (2010) Data & information new hampshire. Retrieved March

16, 2011 from http://kpk12.com/states/new-hampshire/

New Hampshire Virtual Learning Academy, (2011). Retrieved March 21, 2011 from http://www.vlacs.org/

New Hampshire Department of Education, (2010). Online school information http://www.education.nh.gov/program/school_approval/online.htm

New hampshire Center for School Reform.(2008). Part ed 318 charter and open enrollment schools. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from http://www.nhschoolreform.org/Legislation%20Pages/ed318.htm

VLACS, (2008). New hampshire virtual learning academy charter school increases professional development offerings & student communication via wimba. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from

http://www.wimba.com/assets/resources/wimbaSpotlight_VLACS_lores.pdf

VLACS, (2007). Charter School Application. Retrieved March 21, 2011 from http://www.vlacs.org/pdf/VLACS_Charter.pdf

Image, (2011). New Hampshire. Retrieved March 23, 2011 from http://www.mapwatch.com/multi-maps/full/new-hampshire-county-map.gif