This webinar discusses research needs and opportunities at K-12 virtual schools. It begins with a disclaimer that views expressed may not reflect the host organizations. The presentation then introduces the presenters and discusses the history and growth of the Indiana Online Academy. Research needs discussed include determining student success after leaving the school, comparing course rigor to other programs, and examining correlations between student access to technology and success rates. Additional topics include whether professional development offerings meet school needs. Contact information is provided for follow up.

1. Research
Webinar
SeriesHosted by:

3. Disclaimer:
This webinar will be recorded and shared
publically. Consequently, anything shared during
this webinar, including chat comments, could be
shared publically. This webinar may represent a
presenter’s or an attendee’s personal views,
opinions, conclusions and other information which
do not necessarily reflect those of MVU and/or the
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute and
are not given nor endorsed by MVU/MVLRI unless
otherwise specified.

4. K-12 Virtual Schools
and Their Research
Needs (Part 1 of 4)
www.virtualschoolalliance.org

5. Presenters:
Ronda Eshleman
Steve Kossakoski

6. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
your time your place your pace

7. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
What type of student takes IOA classes?
Scheduling Options / Classes not offered by the
student’s high school
Credit recovery / Student retention
Summer schoolHomebound students
Advanced Placement

8. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
The History of
The Indiana Online Academy
The Central Indiana Educational Service Center acquired IOA
in the fall of 2005
2005-06 2013-14
Student enrollment 39 15,374
Number of teachers 9 231
Number of classes 11 78

9. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
IOA Growth Chart
85%
68%
79%
77%
88% pass
rate

10. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
ioaedesk.com
Professional
Development

11. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
Research Needs
How can we determine student
success at the next level, other than
anecdotally, when they are not our full
time students?

12. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
Research Needs
How does the rigor of our courses
compare to other programs? Is the
rigor effecting student enrollment in
our courses?

13. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
Research Needs
Is there a correlation in student
access to technology at school and
student success rates with IOA
courses? Ex. 1:1 vs BYOD vs home
access only. Do student do better in
our classes if they come from
technology rich schools?

14. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
Research Topics
Are our professional development
offerings meeting the needs of
our schools?

15. Copyright © 2011 Indiana Online Academy
Contact Info

16. Offices: Exeter, NH
skossakoski@vlacs.org
vlacs.org
Facebook.com/vlacs
Twitter.com/VLACS
603.778.2500

17. 22,731
2014 Enrollment

18. Instructors
• Certified
• Classroom experience
• Reside in 8 different states
• 16 week training process
• Evaluation

20. Tenets of Competency Ed.
• Standards are fixed, time is a variable
• No time-based unit, students move on when
competent
• Students repeat a task or assessment until a
competency is mastered

21. Tenets of Competency Ed.
• Failure is not acceptable
• More rigorous than a time-based system
• Courses are not required
• Approaching competency, not yet competent,
incomplete, or work in progress replace the
concept of failure.

22. LT Courses LT Projects
LT
Experience
LT College
Limitless Pathways for Students
3 comps from LTC
3 comps from LTP
1 comp from LTCollege
3 comps from LTE
1 English Credit

23. Student Opportunities
Elementary School – Grades 4 & 5
• World languages
• Math
• Science
• ELA
Middle School
• Competency-based courses
• Competency-based MS diploma
• Full-time & part-time option
• Advisory/mentor program for full-time
students

24. Student Opportunities
High School
• Learning through Courses
• Learning through Experience
• Learning through Projects
• Full-time & part-time option
• Advisory/mentor program for full-time students
• Distributed Learning Teams/Service learning
• Competency-based diploma
• Badges (e.g., digital arts, computer programming,
STEM, etc.)

25. Student Opportunities
Early College (grades 9-12)
• Courses a la carte
• First year of an associate degree
• Associate degree
• Early college coach
• College certificate in computer science
Adult Education
• Adult diploma
• Remediation
• Enrichment
• Career skills

26. Offices: Exeter, NH
skossakoski@vlacs.org
vlacs.org
Facebook.com/vlacs
Twitter: VLACS
603.778.2500

27. Upcoming Webinar:
Date & Time:
Thursday, 12/18, 2pm Eastern Time
Topic:
K-12 Virtual Schools and Their Research Needs
(Part 3 of 4)
Presenters:
Kathryn Kennedy, Michigan Virtual University
Amy Michalowski, The Virtual High School
Eliz Colbert, North Carolina Virtual Public School

28. Email: MVLRI@mivu.org
Facebook: /mvlrinstitute
Twitter: @MVLRI_MVU
LinkedIn: michigan-virtual-learning-research-institute
Contact us!