Information Only
September 10, 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) will offer courses to students in Texas districts and open enrollment charter schools in the spring semester 2009. The inaugural catalog will offer courses for grades 9-12 that have undergone review to ensure alignment with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as well as the National Standards of Quality for Online Courses endorsed by the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL). All courses offered through the TxVSN are provided by academically acceptable or higher school districts, recognized or higher open-enrollment charter schools, public or private institutions of higher education, or education service centers. All courses are led by an instructor that is Texas-certified in the course subject area and grade level that have completed a TxVSN approved professional development on effective online instruction.
The TxVSN Course Catalog will list course descriptions and objectives, schedules, sections and seats available, cost, and other relevant data allowing districts and open enrollment charter schools to make an informed choice on courses best meeting students’ needs. The TxVSN Course Catalog will continue to expand as additional provider courses are approved by TXVSN Course Review. In order for campus instructional staff and students to access the TxVSN Course Catalog the following activities must occur:
- Each district and open enrollment charter school must designate and register a district or campus TxVSN site coordinator. Each Receiver district or open enrollment charter school enrolling students in TxVSN courses must provide an individual employed by the school/organization to serve in the capacity of TxVSN Site Coordinator. The responsibility of the Site Coordinator is to advise and finalize student’s enrollment, monitor the student progress, proctor or arrange proctors for exams, and serve as a liaison between the student and online instructor. While it is not required that a professional counselor serve as the TxVSN Site Coordinator, counselors do have the knowledge and skills to effectively fulfill the role. It is possible to have a single district site coordinator, a site coordinator per campus, or multiple site coordinators per campus. District central office and campus staff should discuss which model is most efficient for its implementation. The Site Coordinator registration as well as training information, tutorials, and a Site Coordinator Handbook is available at www.txvsn.org. Site Coordinator registration opens September 15, 2008.
- Each district and open enrollment charter school must designate and register a district Purchasing Approver. In order to purchase courses through the TxVSN, each district and open enrollment charter school should establish a TxVSN account with Central Operations at ESC Region 10. Establishing an authorized purchasing approver and a preferred method of payment early on will expedite course purchases during peak registration periods. It is possible to have a single district central office purchasing approver or an approver per campus. It is recommended that central office and campus staff discuss which model works best with local purchasing procedures. To establish a TxVSN Account or view a TxVSN Purchasing FAQ, visit www.txvsn.org and click on the Purchasing Approver link. TxVSN Purchasing Approver registration opens September 15, 2008.
- Each district and open enrollment charter school is invited to have secondary students complete a TxVSN Student Course Request (SCR). The TxVSN SCR serves the dual purpose of cataloguing online courses that students would like to take in winter 2009 as well as surveying students’ future online course interests. The completion of the SCR does not obligate the school or students to take an online course through the TxVSN. Only a Site Coordinator and Purchasing Approver can finalize a registration. However, the completion of SCRs does assist the Texas Education Agency and the TxVSN Central Operations in long-term planning and having secondary students provide input is encouraged. In the event that students have winter 2009 course requirements that districts or open enrollment charter schools may need assistance in meeting, it is recommended that such students work with the designated Site Coordinator to complete the SCR. The TxVSN Student Course Request will be available to secondary students on October 1, 2008. Direct students to the www.txvsn.org page and have them click on the Student Course Request link.
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. Informational sessions and training by TETN as well as Webinars are available and the schedules are provided on the TxVSN website at www.txvsn.org. For questions or technical assistance, contact TxVSN Central Operations at txvsncentral@txvsn.org or call 1-866-93TxVSN.
Sincerely,
Sharon L. Jackson
Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
