What s New After the Legislative Session: Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) TCA School Counselor Conference Houston, TX February 10, 2014

Transcription

1 What s New After the Legislative Session: Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) TCA School Counselor Conference Houston, TX February 10, 2014

2 Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN): A Brief Overview

3 Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) The TxVSN provides Texas students with equitable access to quality online courses and instructors Created by the Texas Legislature Administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) under the leadership of the commissioner of education Central operations and course review functions provided by Education Service Center (ESC), Region 10 in partnership with Harris County Department of Education through a contract with the TEA Day to day operations Centralized student registration system Course catalog listings Course review Other administrative and reporting functions Districts are eligible to earn state funding, regardless of where the student is located during instruction

4 TxVSN TxVSN State law and rule Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 30A Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 70 Definition of electronic course An electronic course is one in which instruction and content are delivered primarily over the Internet; most instructional activities take place in an online environment and online activities are integral to the academic program; the student is not required to be on the physical premises of a school and student and teacher are in different locations; and extensive communication between student and teacher and among students is emphasized.

5 TxVSN Course Standards and Instructor Requirements TxVSN Course Standards 100% alignment with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) International Association of K 12 Online Learning (inacol) National Standards of Quality for Online Courses TxVSN accessibility requirements TxVSN Instructor Requirements Texas certified to teach that course and grade level or, for dual credit courses, meet the credentialing requirements of the institution of higher education offering the course through the TxVSN Trained in best practices in delivering online instruction

6 TxVSN Highly interactive, instructor-led courses taught by Texas-certified teachers trained in best practices in online instruction TxVSN Online Schools (OLS) Program Students enroll in a fulltime TxVSN online school Grapevine Colleyville ISD Houston ISD Huntsville ISD Red Oak ISD Texarkana ISD Texas College Preparatory Academies 100% virtual program Grades 3 12 TxVSN Statewide Course Catalog Students participate through their independent school district (ISD) or open enrollment charter school High school, Advanced Placement (AP), and dual credit courses Catalog course cost paid by district or, in some specific situations, student/parent

7 TxVSN Online Schools (OLS) Program Grapevine Colleyville ISD iuniversity Prep Houston ISD Texas Connections Academy at Houston Huntsville ISD Texas Online Preparatory Elementary School Texas Online Preparatory Middle School Texas Online Preparatory High School Red Oak ISD ischolars Magnet Academy of Red Oak ISD ResponsiveEd/Texas College Preparatory Academies Texas Virtual Academy Texarkana ISD Texarkana ISD Virtual Academy

8 TxVSN Online Schools Program (OLS) A Z Index, Select T Select Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) Select TxVSN Online Schools Program or tx.us/index2.aspx?i d=4826

9 Texas Virtual School Network: Statewide Course Catalog

10 TxVSN Statewide Course Catalog Model TxVSN Course Providers: Eligible Texas school districts and open enrollment charter schools; education service centers; higher education institutions; private or non profit entities; corporations Have Texas certified online teachers and approved courses TxVSN Receiver Districts: Districts and charter schools Have students with academic needs Grant credit for the course delivered by TxVSN course providers

11 TxVSN Statewide Course Catalog Benefits Provides equitable access to high quality online high school courses that align with TEKS and national standards; dual credit, and AP courses for high school graduation; Texas certified teachers; and instructors trained in effective online instruction. Expand local course choices Schedule flexibility Early graduation Credit advancement Credit recovery Address teacher shortages Alternative opportunities for diverse students Individualized instruction

12 Student Eligibility A student is eligible to enroll in a course provided through the state virtual school network only if on September 1 of the school year, the student: is younger than 21 years of age; or is younger than 26 years of age and entitled to the benefits of the Foundation School Program under Section ; has not graduated from high school; and is otherwise eligible to enroll in a public school in the state.

13 TxVSN District Designated Contacts TxVSN District Administrator TxVSN Site Coordinator

14 Student Support Selected provider supplies course and online instructor Student s home campus provides a mentor Monitor progress Assist with getting materials Encouragement

15 Orientation to Online Learning

16 Local Policy on Electronic Courses Students in all Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools can participate in the TxVSN course catalog! TEC Section 30A.007 A school district or open enrollment charter school shall adopt a written policy that provides district or school students with the opportunity to enroll in electronic courses provided through the state virtual school network. The policy must by consistent with the requirements imposed by TEC Section

17 Sources of Funding for TxVSN Course Costs Foundation School Program (FSP) funds Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) Federal grant and program funds, including Title funds, as appropriate State grant and program funds, as appropriate Local funds

18 Questions?

19 Making An Informed Choice

20 Informed Choice

21 New website design coming!

22 Data as of 2/10/14

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26 Survey Results

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28 Course Demos

29 Questions?

30 State Law and Rule

31 Legislative Update: House Bill 1926 House Bill (HB) 1926, 83 rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2013 Applies beginning with the school year Substantive changes impact the TxVSN statewide course catalog Revising Texas Administrative Code to align with HB 1926 sometime this winter

32 House Bill 1926 Course Providers Expands eligibility of course providers to include nonprofit entity or private entity that provides a course through the state virtual school network, an entity that provides an electronic professional development course through the state virtual school network, and public or private institution of higher education as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section Clarifies language related to the eligibility of open enrollment charter schools.

33 House Bill 1926 Provision of Equipment Prohibits a course provider from promising or providing equipment or any other thing of value as an inducement for enrollment. Allows commissioner of education to revoke approval of a course provider who violates this prohibition. Commissioner s decision may not be appealed.

34 House Bill 1926 Local Policy Current law requires each district or charter school to adopt a written policy that provides students the opportunity to enroll in courses offered through the TxVSN. Requires schools to send, at least once per year, to parent of each middle or high school student a copy of the required local district policy. Allows district or open enrollment charter school to select the course provider for a TxVSN course in which a student has requested to enroll.

35 House Bill 1926 Local Policy Allows a school district or open enrollment charter school to deny a student s request to enroll in a course offered through the TxVSN if the student attempts to enroll in a course that is inconsistent with the student s high school graduation plan or requirements for college admission or earning an industry certification, the student requests to enroll in a course at a time that is inconsistent with the established enrollment period, or the district offers a substantially similar course.

36 House Bill 1926 HB 1926 also allows districts to select the course provider for a TxVSN course in which a student has requested to enroll; and decline to pay the course cost for more than three year long TxVSN courses, or the equivalent, per student per school year. A student may enroll in additional courses at the student s expense.

37 House Bill 1926 Funding Adds provision that ensures open enrollment charter schools receive funding in accordance with the terms of the charter granted. Limits school district or charter school to funding for a student s enrollment in not more than three year long courses during any school year. Exempts full time online schools that were operating on January 1, 2013 from this limitation.

38 State Law: TEC, TEC, Chapter 30A State Rule TAC, Chapter 70 State Law and Rule TxVSN related state laws and rules apply to both the statewide course catalog and the full time TxVSN OLS program

39 Questions?

40 Student Attendance Accounting Update TxVSN related student attendance accounting instructions for have been moved from Section 11.9 to Section 12.2

41 Student Attendance Accounting Update Courses for Grades 9 Through 12 For purposes of determining and reporting the ADA eligibility code of a student student considered scheduled for and receiving instruction for 55 minutes each day for each TxVSN course For purposes of recording a student's daily attendance, student enrolled full time (minimum five TxVSN courses) is considered to have been present (in attendance) for each day of instruction in the reporting period

42 Student Attendance Accounting Update Programs for Grades 9 Through 12 TEA determines a student's ultimate Average Daily Attendance (ADA) eligibility status for instructional year based on whether the student successfully completed each TxVSN semester course in which the student was enrolled, using course completion data reported by the district If a student did not successfully complete a TxVSN course, TEA adjusts the student s ADA eligibility status accordingly. Resulting adjustments to state funding are made the following school year

43 Student Attendance Accounting Update Enrollment in a TxVSN Course or Program and Receipt of Special Program Services The determination of whether a TxVSN course or program will meet the needs of a student with a disability must be made by that student's admission, review, and dismissal committee in a manner consistent with state and federal law

44 Stay connected Listserv Twitter Webinars TEA correspondence at Toll free TxVSN Help Desk:

45 Expanding Course Options Project (ECOP)

46 ECOP Purpose Identify high need courses for high school graduation best suited for the TxVSN statewide course catalog from underrepresented programs that benefit underserved student populations that support implementation of graduation requirements resulting from House Bill 5 Identify Identify professional development and support needed by instructors who teach underserved student populations through the TxVSN statewide course catalog

47 ECOP Purpose Develop and implement a statewide plan based on findings of the needs assessment that enables development of new or revision of existing online courses for inclusion in the TxVSN statewide course catalog supports the recruitment and oversight of eligible TxVSN course providers increases course options for underrepresented programs and underserved student populations across the state increases the availability of TxVSN instructors trained to teach underserved student populations who can benefit by enrolling in courses through the TxVSN course catalog addresses possible barriers to participation in the TxVSN statewide course catalog as identified by stakeholders

48 Seeking ECOP Needs Assessment input from all stakeholders High school students Middle school students Parents Community members Local business and industry representatives Curriculum/instructional directors Central office administrators Campus administrators Counselors Teachers Career & technical education district or campus representatives Migrant student representatives Special education district/campus representatives Windham School District representatives

49 Stay connected Listserv Twitter Webinars TEA correspondence at Toll free TxVSN Help Desk:

50 Presenter Information Laura Hodges, MA, LPC S, NCC, ACS TxVSN Counselor