April 1, 2011
TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:
Subject: Funding Available for Summer Courses Through the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN)
Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) allotment funding will be available for grades 9-12 supplemental online courses taken through the TxVSN during summer 2011. Summer school enrollment opens Monday, April 18, 2011, beginning with high school seniors in need of courses to graduate. The TxVSN will open enrollments and offer core curriculum courses that are in high demand. See the enrollment schedule at www.txvsn.org to determine the day your district should register students.
In order to take summer TxVSN courses, students must have been enrolled in a Texas high school during the 2010-2011 school year and meet the eligibility requirements for continued enrollment. For the first time, 8th grade students may advance into TxVSN high school courses if the student has documented mastery of the middle school essential knowledge and skills prerequisite to the high school course. Coordination between the middle school and the high school guidance and counseling staff is strongly recommended prior to enrolling 8th grade students in TxVSN courses.
TxVSN courses are rigorous. The summer course curriculum is not abridged and the student must be prepared to work consistently throughout the summer.
In order for students to participate in summer courses, districts and open-enrollment charter schools must:
- Complete the TxVSN Agreement and steps as outlined at www.txvsn.org. Districts currently participating in the TxVSN do not have to complete a renewal agreement until fall 2011.
- Provide ongoing support throughout the summer in order to maximize the probability that the student will be successful, including, but not limited to:
- Ensuring that the district-designated TxVSN site coordinator has access to e-mail and other tools to receive grade reports and final grades, as well as to process enrollment changes such as drops throughout the summer.
- Assigning staff to actively mentor and monitor all students to ensure progress is made in the course, that supplemental materials are available, and to communicate with the provider district’s online instructor at regular intervals. The district-designated site coordinator may fulfill this role or other personnel may be assigned to do so.
- Ensuring that district facilities and examination proctors are available during the summer to accommodate student examinations. Examinations may require access to a computer lab and the rights to upload or download files to computer workstations and must be proctored by a responsible adult not related to the student.
- While it is not required for the district to provide home computer or internet access for students, a district may do so as a service to its students. However, prior to enrolling any student in a summer 2011 course, a district must ensure that each student has reliable computer and internet access at home, school, other secure location.
Districts and open-enrollment charter schools must provide summer support for their students; those unable to do so should not plan to participate.
Beginning the week of March 29, 2011, the TxVSN will offer “Planning for Summer Courses” webinars to assist with planning, answer questions, and share summer support strategies. All webinar dates and times are listed on www.txvsn.org under Upcoming Events. If you have questions, please contact the TxVSN Help Desk at 866-938-9876 or by e-mail at txvsncentral@txsvn.org.
All TxVSN courses are reviewed to ensure alignment with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the iNACOL National Standards of Quality for Online Courses. All online courses are led by a Texas-certified instructor trained in best practices in delivering online instruction.
When a student successfully completes an online course provided through the TxVSN, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides a TxVSN allotment payment of $400 per semester course to the district providing the course and $80 to the student’s district.
District participation in the TxVSN grows significantly each semester, so to ensure equitable access students may register initially for no more than two TxVSN courses for the summer. After districts have had the opportunity to register students per the TxVSN enrollment schedule referenced above, districts may request to register students in additional TxVSN courses, as advisable for the individual student.
To view the summer 2011 high school course offerings, visit the online high school catalog at https://www.mytxvsn.org/CourseCatalogHighSchool.aspx. For the dual credit course catalog, visit https://www.mytxvsn.org/CourseCatalogDualCredit.aspx. These courses are marked ‘closed’ until the enrollment window opens on April 18, 2011. While online catalogs may be printed or downloaded for planning purposes, it suggested that districts rely on the online catalog for the most current data as new providers and courses are added throughout the year.
Sincerely,
Anita Givens
Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs |