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Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice
 

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Virtual Schools K-8 Pilot Program FAQs

Virtual Schools K-8 Pilot Program
  1. What is the K-8 Virtual School Program?
    The K-8 Virtual School Program allows eligible K-8 virtual schools to provide an on-line education program to full-time students in kindergarten and grades one through eight. The Florida Legislature created the program in 2003 and reauthorized it in 2004, 2005, and 2006. In response to the request for proposal in 2003, the Department of Education selected two schools, Florida Connections Academy and Florida Virtual Academy, to participate in this virtual education program.

    Florida-certified teachers work with learning coaches (parents or other responsible adults in the home) to provide on-line lessons, progress tests and other more traditional learning materials and activities to each student. In addition, each family receives a computer, printer, and an allowance for Internet access. Students complete from 5 to 40% of their work on-line, depending on the grade level. Field trips and other group activities are available, providing opportunities for interaction with other virtual school students.

  2. What requirements must K-8 virtual schools meet to participate in this program?

    Virtual schools must:
    • Be independent public schools;
    • Use on-line and distance learning technology to deliver instruction;
    • Deliver 180 days of full-time, online instruction to eligible students;
    • Incorporate Florida’s Sunshine State Standards into curriculum and course content;
    • Require all students in grades three through eight to participate in the state assessment program (FCAT);
    • Employ on-line teachers who are certified in Florida.

    These schools also must ensure that all instructional employees and others who have contact with students are fingerprinted and are residents of Florida. In addition, the schools are required to collect data and submit reports for payment, accountability and evaluation purposes. Both virtual schools participate in state and federal school accountability systems (the A+ Plan and No Child Left Behind).
  3. Who is eligible to attend the K-8 virtual schools?
    The 2006 Legislature established student eligibility criteria for the 2006-07 school year. These include:
    • Students who spent the previous year in a Florida public school and who were reported in the October and February student counts in a Florida public school district;
    • Students who participated in the K-8 virtual education program the previous school year and their siblings; and
    • Students who are entering kindergarten or first grade.

    Students who are entering kindergarten and first grade must meet the same age requirements as other public school students. For the 2006-07 school year, each school may receive state funding for a maximum of 692 full-time equivalent students.
  4. What are the advantages of enrollment in a K-8 virtual school?
    The K-8 virtual school program combines the best of home and public education. These virtual schools offer additional flexibility and personalization for students who learn best outside of the traditional classroom. This free public education program provides a curriculum that meets or exceeds state standards, technology tools, and a variety of instructional materials. It allows parents to be directly involved in their child’s education while receiving support from certified teachers. Further, it is held accountable for student and school performance.
  5. How well are these schools performing thus far?
    Based on FCAT results, students in the two virtual schools are performing the same or better than their peers statewide in most subjects and grade levels. As participants in the Florida’s school accountability system (A+ Plan), both schools earned school performance grades of “B” in 2005-06.

    In the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) accountability program for 2005-06, Florida Connections Academy met 95% of criteria for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and Florida Virtual Academy met 97% of the criteria. Both schools were designated as making Provisional AYP.

    Over 90% of virtual school parents responding to parent survey questions indicated satisfaction with their child’s progress, the curriculum, and the support they received from the virtual schools.

  6. How may I learn more about these two K-8 virtual schools?
    To learn more about these two virtual schools, please contact each directly at:

    Florida Connections Academy:
    Website: http://www.connectionsacademy.com
    Toll Free: 800-382-6010
    Email: info@connectionsacademy.com

    Florida Virtual Academy:
    Website: http://www.flva.org
    Phone: (904) 721-0035
    Toll Free: 866-339-8803
    Email: info@flva.org