As I try to puzzle out launch of a virtual school (a la Texas Virtual School Network), I’ve tried to organize the work into a series of steps that school districts can take. I intend to whip this up into a longer article, but for now, here’s what I have and would appreciate feedback from any school district that may be already doing this.

“Training teachers to facilitate learning networks and to managing collaborative work is vital

to effective teaching and learning in the digital world.“

Source: 5 Ways We’re Diminishing Learning by Assuming Face-to-Face Instruction is Best, T.H.E. Journal

6 Actions to Virtual Schools in Texas Districts

1 – Put District Policy in Place

• EIC Local – Academic Achievement Class Ranking and
• EHDE – Extended Instructional Programs Distance Learning)
  • Legal – All districts using the TASB Policy Service have an EHDE Legal. This was in Update 72 and was issued in 4/1/2005. This policy describes how districts can issue credit toward state graduation for distance learning courses (including ones offered over the Internet). This has some specific steps a district must take in order to offer distance learning courses. A district who is offering distance learning courses must create and maintain on the district’s web site an “informed choice” report.
  • Local
• Develop policy regarding Counting Electronic Courses in Calculating a Student’s GPA (adapted from Jennifer Bergland’s research with schools); possible options:
  • Policy explicitly prohibits counting electronic courses for GPA
  • Policy is silent but prohibits correspondence courses from counting for GPA
  • Policy explicitly counts electronic courses for GPA
  • Policy is silent but verbally told electronic courses are counted for GPA
  • Policy is silent but does not prohibit electronic courses or correspondence courses from counting for GPA

2 – Designate District staff for specific roles.

• Designate a site coordinator and register them via the TxVSN site.
• Designate and register a Purchasing Approver.
• Designate a Virtual Learning Coordinator to facilitate course development/communication with other internal departments.

3 – Prepare teachers to facilitate online courses through the Texas Virtual School Network

• Get teachers certified to teach in the Texas Virtual School Network (there are approved providers at TxVSN.org).
  • Anyone who teaches through a course provider must successfully complete an online training aligned to iNACOL standards. Requirements include:
    • Teachers
    • Background checks
    • Hold a degree
    • Texas teaching cert in what they teach
    • Must have taught in face to face subject they are teaching online
  • 5 programs approved with more coming:
    • Education Development Center, Inc. out of Boston
    • ESC Region 4;
    • ESC Region 11 in Fort Worth;
    • Harris County Department of Education; and
    • Texas A&M University Center for Distance Learning Research.

4 – Develop Online Courses that meet the basic definitions set by Senate Bill 1788 and Texas Education Code Chapter 30A.

• Online courses are defined as:
  • instruction and content are delivered primarily over the Internet,
  • a student and teacher are in different locations for a majority of the student’s instructional period,
  • most instructional activities take place in an online environment,
  • the online instructional activities are integral to the academic program,
  • extensive communication between a student and a teacher and among students is emphasized, and
  • a student is not required to be located on the physical premises of a school district or open enrollment charter school.

• Be prepared to submit general course information such as course name, PEIMS number, semesters, contact information, and technical requirements. TxVSN Course Review will also need course access and login information for each Reviewer.

5 – Get TxVSN to certify the District as a virtual online course provider.

• Read TxVSN.org’s web site on path to becoming a provider district.
• Complete Provider District Agreement (not yet available)

6 – Publicize the Information to Community.

• Create a web site that answers questions parents and students will have. Sample site viewable here.

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Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure