Tx Vsn Tec Sig

What is the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN)?
www.txvsn.org
October 15, 2009

SB 1788 of the 80th Legislature
Established a State Virtual School
Supplemental
Leverage courses already developed
Network of school with online courses
Ensure alignment to TEKS & iNACOL National Standards
No change to existing distance learning laws

Catalog of approved courses

Fee-based for 2008-2009
TxVSN Background
Background

The TxVSN Model

Texas Virtual School Network
Clearinghouse of courses from:
Course Receiver Districts

A clearinghouse with a catalog of approved courses for:
Course Providers
provide to:

Matches receivers with providers through the catalog of approved courses and the TxVSN registration and help desk systems
Course
Providers
Course Receivers
Districts or Open Enrollment Charter Schools

TxVSN High School Courses

Alignment with
iNACOL National Standards of Quality for Online Courses
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
Instructor–Led - Texas certified teachers
Equivalent in instructional rigor and scope to a course that is provided in a traditional classroom setting

Background

TxVSN Higher Ed Pilot

Have been reviewed for alignment to:
iNACOL National Standards of Quality for Online Courses
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
Working on perfecting the overall alignment
Are Instructor–Led by college staff
Remember these are college and university courses!

Background

Magnifying Glass Icon:
Important to note the details
www.txvsn.org/

High school courses are TEKS aligned

Vary in pacing
Duration
Materials, tools student’s district provides

Look at details!

College courses have extra steps:
Articulation agreement
Application
Textbooks
Tuition
Dual credit means dual enrollment (TxVSN first and the College)

Check the details!

Student Eligibility Basics
A student is eligible to enroll in a course provided by the TxVSN (state virtual school) only if the student :
is younger than 21 years of age on September 1 of the school year,
has not graduated from high school, and
is otherwise eligible to enroll in a public school in Texas.
Special Note: “unenrolled students”
Background

A student may enroll in one or more courses provided through the TxVSN or enroll full-time in courses provided through the network if the student :

is a dependent of a member of the United States military,
was previously enrolled in a high school in the state of Texas,
and
does not reside in the state as a result of military deployment or transfer
or

the student has been placed in substitute care in Texas,
It should be noted that TxVSN is building capacity; full-time enrollment is subject to course availability!

Full Time Student
Background

Online Instructor Requirements
All TxVSN courses are instructor-led
The high school instructors must:
Must be Texas-certified to teach the course
Must have completed TxVSN-approved professional development
Submit to Provider District’s process for background checks, certification, professional development, etc.
College course instructors must:
Meet requirements of the college or university
Background

So what’s the allotment?

HB 3646
Subchapter C, Chapter 42 amended
Adding Sections 42.159 and 42.160
Definitions:
Electronic course = a course a semester in length
Normal course load = number of classes or credit hours generally required to be taken by a student generate full ADA
State Virtual School Network =system established by Chapter 30A
HB 3646 Section 56

HB 3646
For each student who successfullycompletes an electronic course that:
satisfies a curriculum requirement for graduation
is provided through the TxVSN, and
is part of a normal student course load*
The school district or open enrollment charter school that provided the course is entitled to an allotment of $400
The school district or open-enrollment charter school in which the student is enrolled is entitled to an allotment of $80
HB 3646 Section 56

Success Defined
Final grade of 70 or better
All required course activities and assessments completed
Commissioner may not provide partial funding on the basis of a student who successfully completes one or more modules of an electronic course but does not successfully complete the entire course

Allotment funded seats available for Fall and Spring Semesters only
Summer is fee based
There is funding for courses as a part of the student normal course load
There is funding available for courses taken outside the normal course load.
Normal course load – 7 hour instructional day
2 course per semester maximum per student!
2 high school
1 high school / 1 dual credit
2 dual credit
Allotment

It’s the people that make it work!

Planning, planning, and more planning!

Local policies , College Board AP Audit lists , NCAA Eligibility, UIL Eligibility , expectations of students and parents, decide how students will be mentored/monitored, unenrolled students, required notification of TxVSN courses

Identify site coordinators
Identify potential students
Pre-assessment of potential students’ readiness for online learning
Have the “worker bees” participate in a webinar or TETN session
Receiving Courses

Knows student academic needs
Is “go to” contact for online instructor
Will receive grade reports for student
Will receive final grade for student
Must mentor student
Or see that another designated staff member mentors the student
Possible candidate for sainthood..
TxVSN Site Coordinator

Apply to Participate

7 Steps to TxVSN Participation
Complete TxVSN agreement – superintendent signature needed
Needs assessment – online
Activate Campuses
Confirm administrators
Site Coordinators Register / Train
Pre-assess student readiness
Request Readi Secondary Accounts
Student data upload to registration
Finance Approver - just in case

Spring Enrollment

Summer Enrollment

Enrollment beginning in May 2010
Priority to rising and repeating seniors!
Districts may “re-up” for 2010-2011 beginning in April to be ready for fall
See www.txvsn.org for details
Fall 2010

TxVSN Contact Information