Kate Loughery--Director of Distance Learning TEA

Barbara Smith--Executive Director of Central Operations TxVSN

Take a look at what makes a good program

Leadership is the #1 factor in successful programs.

What educational need is the grant trying to address?

Build a shared vision--bring all the stakeholders into the process

Research and planning is important..see what is working, what is not?

Do not reinvent the wheel.

It is an ongoing process.

SREB : Key issues for success

Quality teaching, courses, funding, monitoring, increased student access, improve student achievement

ISTE: Critical Factors:

Shared vision

Technical assistance

shared knowledge of standards

continual assessment

commitment to student-centered learning

Sustainability planning

Start small..not everything has to be done at once

Plan for growth

Governance

team in place with clear responsibilities

Data Planning: data driven decision making

Evaluation is important

Focusing on Your Plan

Barbara Smith

Implementation Plan

May have to adjust timeline

Economy of Scale:

Can you do what you think you can do?

Policy planning

review and revise district policies and procedures appropriate to support online learning

Everyone needs to know and be able to articulate the policies

Does class rank count with Virtual classes?

Maximum class size?

Stipend for paying the teacher?

Board policies: Do they match what you want them to do?

Communication Planning

Advisory group

Stakeholder communication very important

Student agreements?

Top Ten Myths about Virtual Schools

Partnerships Approach to Success

Leverage the partnerships

Planning

LMS/CMS system

   Communication tools

    Instructional tools

    place to share teaching and learning products

    Content repository

    Modular

NEA Key components of online courses

Similar to what TxVSN uses

Kate

Instructional Approaches

Instructional Model

Interactive experience ins which students learn from the teachers as well as from the students

-Cohort based

-Self paced

(Classrooms seems to need to be elastic)

Enrollment Schedule: Are there several models:

Multiple start and stop

Open enrollment

One start and end date

Student Support

Prepare students for success

    Is online for everyone?

Self assessment and counseling

Several factors make an online course successful..

Communication to parents important

Orientation for students

Dont forget parent orientation as well

Onsite liaison link between student and online teacher

Professional development is critical to quality

Course designers

Administrators

Oversight of Instruction

Evaluation And Accountability