A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

INFORMATION ONLY

June 16, 2008

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT: Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN)

During the 80th Legislative Session, Senate Bill 1788 established a state virtual school network to provide online courses for Texas students. The Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) legislation set forth the operational, course evaluation, and professional development requirements.  A request for proposal process identified TxVSN partners to work under the direction of the Texas Education Agency:

• Region 10 Education Service Center, in collaboration with Harris County Department of Education, will serve as TxVSN Central Operations. Central Operations will coordinate the course registration and student enrollments; ensure the eligibility of virtual school providers; provide a list of approved electronic courses; and coordinate reporting requirements. These key elements will be under development during summer 2008.
• Region 4 Education Service Center will conduct the review of electronic courses to be offered through the network to ensure that all courses meet or exceed the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, as well as, the rigorous online course standards developed by the Southern Regional Education Board and endorsed and adopted by the North Atlantic Council for Online Learning. The review process for high school courses will begin in summer 2008.
• Five professional development providers will train educators to deliver online instruction through the TxVSN. These five providers are Education Development Center, Inc.; ESC Region 4; ESC Region 11; Harris County Department of Education; and Texas A&M University Center for Distance Learning Research. Professional development opportunities are available for beginning as well as experienced online teachers. Each teacher delivering an online course through the TxVSN, regardless of experience, must complete the required professional development from an approved provider. Approved providers will begin delivering training during summer 2008.

The current plan is to have TxVSN courses available for Texas students in time for the spring semester 2009.  Information on how to become a provider district is posted online at www.txvsn.org along with the process to submit courses for review.  Information on courses available via the TxVSN will be posted in fall 2008.

Superintendents are encouraged to consult with district curriculum, counseling, and campus administrators to discuss how the Texas Virtual School Network can augment district course offerings.  In addition, each district should be prepared to name a TxVSN contact for the district in September 2008. The district TxVSN contact will authorize enrollment of students in TxVSN courses.  

Questions about the TxVSN should be emailed to txvsn@tea.state.tx.us.

Sincerely,

Sharon Jackson
Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs