August 14 , 2006
VALLEY, Wash. - For parents looking for a more flexible educational environment, the newly-established Columbia Virtual Academy could well serve as their child's ticket to graduation. Based on a program established to connect home-schoolers with public school resources, the Columbia Virtual Academy offers individualized, online education to any Washington student at no cost to the family.
"This is a brand new curriculum for the state of Washington," said program creator and Valley School District Superintendent Mark Selle. "The online curriculum that we offer has never before been available free of charge to every student in the state."
The Valley, Orient and Curlew school districts, located in rural northeastern Washington State, have collaborated to provide quality, virtual education for students in grades 2-12 who are looking for a less traditional educational experience. The program for kindergartners and 1st graders is designed to prepare them for online learning in the 2nd grade. "Columbia Virtual Academy does not seek to take enrollment from other districts. Any Washington school district may join Columbia Virtual Academy and enroll students in its own district," Selle said.
Global Student Network, a provider of virtual curriculum in 42 states and nine countries around the world, supplies the online courses. Each of the standards-based courses supports Washington State standards and is delivered entirely over the internet. Students participating in the program complete the bulk of their coursework online while having the flexibility to customize their school year with 24/7 year-round access.
"We believe that every student's learning needs are different and we know that the Columbia Virtual Academy will be a positive addition to our ability to individualize curriculum to meet the needs of students," Selle said. "The program also provides access to additional funds for books, specialized lessons like art, music, dance, field trips and extracurricular educational activities. Every student who needs it will be provided with necessary computer equipment and online access."
The Valley School District began offering its own HOME Program three years ago. It currently has 216 students enrolled for the fall session.
"I think the potential for the Columbia Virtual Academy is enormous," noted Selle, who projects the statewide enrollment in the Academy could far surpass the HOME Program figure because of that program's geographic limits in its first two years. Columbia Virtual Academy could really take off, he said, when other school districts join as partners. "There are 296 districts in the state, plus private schools can participate as well. The curriculum is not exclusive and the benefits of working together and sharing resources and a common image would be considerable."
Benefits for students and teachers involved in the Academy are also significant. Time is flexible and the work can be done from anywhere that has an Internet connection. Unless the parent is making daily contact by serving as a teacher, which is well supported when the parent wishes to do so, the student/teacher contact is made on a weekly basis at a minimum. The student's work is monitored closely and tested to ensure quality learning.
"The program will likely attract people that have, for whatever reason, felt disenfranchised from the school system," Selle said. "In our HOME Program, about 90 percent of our students come from home-based education situations, but we also have a certain number of students that choose this option for other reasons. This program is an excellent way to provide a quality education to children whose parents prefer they stay at home."
The program is made possible by new legislation passed in Washington State in August of 2005. Selle has spent the last year researching and developing the Columbia Virtual Academy and now is looking forward to fall enrollment with great anticipation.
"We are excited to be able to meet the needs of students and their families," Selle said.
Any student or family interested in attending Columbia Virtual Academy can visit the web site at www.ColumbiaVirtualAcademy.org.
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“I wish we had this when my kids were growing up. It’s not a way of skipping school. Rather, it supports the choice of very committed parents. Sometimes the easy solution just doesn’t feel right. The road less traveled may be better.”
