Louisiana Virtual School

Louisiana Department of Education

Baton Rouge, LA
 

Introduction/Overview
Organizational Change
Budget & Finance
Professional Development
Technology Infrastructure
Contact Information
 

Introduction/Overview

The Louisiana Department of Education in partnership with The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts provides Louisiana high school students access to standards-based high school courses delivered by Louisiana teachers using the Internet through the Louisiana Virtual School (LVS). Students in LVS courses utilize the Web, e-mail, and other online and offline resources to complete a rich course of study in a multitude of courses.

Organizational Change

The Louisiana Department of Education led the transition from satellite and tele-learning distance learning courses to a Web-based virtual school 5 years ago as distance learning technology was evolving. The growth and popularity of online student learning with the LVS has grown significantly over the past 5 years.

· Year 1: 130 students, 12 courses, 20 schools, 9 districts.
· Year 2: 340 students, 20 courses, 40 schools, 26 districts.
· Year 3: 1,340 students, 24 courses, 97 schools, 51 districts.
· Year 4: 2,050 students, 28 courses, 145 schools, 55 districts.
· Year 5: 2,400 students, 30 courses, 170 schools, 60 districts.

Budget & Finance

A Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Quality Support Fund 8(g) grant is used to fund a portion of the LVS (courses and instruction with the exception of algebra I). Originating in 1986 when voters dedicated Louisiana's federally awarded Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act funds to education, the Louisiana Quality Education Support Fund has assisted schools and districts statewide to provide better educational opportunities for Louisiana’s students. Grants created as a result of this fund have their origin in the legislative process of the Louisiana Constitution and the regulatory process of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), which has set up a structure for the orderly review, award, and administration of grants. The LVS Algebra I Online Program and its associated courses are funded with a Louisiana state legislative allocation. Over 1 million in state funding is allocated to the LVS annually.

Professional Development

All LVS instructors participate in at least one online professional development (PD) session during the academic school year. Each online PD session lasts approximately 2 weeks. Additionally, new LVS teachers participate in the Concord Consortium’s Designing and Teaching Online Courses class. This is a 6-week, moderated, online course that teaches the pedagogy, methodology, and facilitation methods necessary for effective instruction in the online environment. Designing and Teaching Online Courses (DATOC) is a scheduled asynchronous net course that was offered over the Internet.

Technology Infrastructure

Students must have access to a computer (at school and/or at home) with:

· PC with Pentium II 400 MHz Processor and Windows 98.
· 64 MB RAM color monitor (16 bit, 800 x 600 resolution).
· 8x or faster CD-ROM drive.
· Internet access.
· Sound card, speakers, headphones, and a microphone.
· A current browser (IE 5.5).

Contact Information

Ken Bradford
Ken.Bradford@La.Gov
225-763-5575