IDVA will also open the Treasure Valley Hybrid Program beginning September 1st. The program provides center-based support for students who have challenges that make school difficult. This new hybrid option (some center time plus some home-based time) is designed to help students be successful and to help them graduate with their class. Students must meet state alternative criteria to attend the Treasure Valley Hybrid Program. Students will be scheduled to come to the center at least two, three-hour sessions per week to get direct instruction in math and English and to get support in all subject areas.

For the rest of the article, go to Idaho Virtual Academy Begins 2010 Online School Year

IDLA is the state-sponsored online school which serves junior high and high school students in nearly every district in Idaho.

For the rest of the article, go to Albertsons Foundation donates $100K to online learning

More than 2 million children in kindergarten through 12th grade are learning online, and their ranks are growing by almost 20 percent each year, according to research by Ambient Insight. Currently, 45 states have significant supplemental online learning programs, or full-time programs, in which students take most or all of their courses online.

“One reason families are turning to full-time virtual schools is that parents are seeking a more personalized education for their children, where students’ studies are tailored to their abilities and interests, and they can work at their own pace,” says Dr. Steven Guttentag, executive vice president and chief education officer for Connections Academy, a leading virtual school provider that offers both public and private virtual school programs. “Of course most importantly, they work. Students are achieving at high levels and matriculating into some of our nation’s best universities.”

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual schools ‘clicking’ for many students this school year

Idaho Virtual Academy

Experts say for-profit providers of online courses—long seen as an option for home-schoolers and a potential rival to public schools—are breaking into the public education mainstream as more schools mix face-to-face classes and online courses to expand their curricular offerings. With demand for that “blended” approach expected to grow, other players in the online-coursetaking marketplace, such as Apex Learning, Aventa Learning, Compass Learning, and Kaplan Virtual Education, are also seeking business in public schools.

For the rest of the article, go to E-Education Inc. Seeks the Mainstream

Among the successes they have issues around 326 credits through the program in just 6 months. Forty students walked with their graduating class after making up credits through the online classes, and 8 people who dropped out of high school came back to get the diploma they didn’t think was possible.

For the rest of the article, go to New program attracts drop-outs to graduate.

Economic—We anticipated the drop in revenue for 2010-2011 and have already started planning for 2011-2012. We are in a position that we can absorb a 5 percent legislative holdback should it occur. However, as noted above this also means that passing our supplemental levy is imperative. Working in the state of Idaho is a particular challenge around funding.

Competition—The competition for students continues as the Sandpoint Charter School and virtual schools continue to grow. However, I believe we can be more aggressive in our marketing. This part of our work has improved this year. However, I also will be asking the Board of Trustees to reconsider the transportation component of our support. We are one of only two public school districts transporting students to a charter in our state. I believe this needs to change.

For the rest of the article, go to Focus on Education

Kaplan Virtual Education (KVE), a leader in online high school and online middle school, announced enrollment deadlines for students interested in attending online high school this fall at Kaplan Academies in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

(Vocus) June 3, 2010 — Kaplan Virtual Education (KVE), a leader in online high school and online middle school, announced enrollment deadlines for students interested in attending online high school this fall at Kaplan Academies in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

“Kaplan Academies provide a challenging curriculum with a flexible schedule,” said Charles Thornburgh, president of Kaplan Virtual Education. “Over the years, a variety of students including those pursuing careers in professional athletics or the arts have benefited from our first-rate online education program.”

The state-by-state enrollment deadlines for Kaplan’s online high schools are as follows:

• Kaplan Academy of Colorado – deadline August 3

• Kaplan Academy of Washington – deadline August 16

• Kaplan Academy of Idaho – deadline August 17

• Kaplan Academy of Oregon – deadline August 24

Teachers at Kaplan Academies are certified and offer online high school students one-on-one attention by communicating with the students via email, instant messaging, and phone. Teachers also use video, audio, and animation to provide an engaging learning environment.

For the rest of the article, go to Kaplan’s Online High Schools Announces Fall Admission Deadlines

With another click of the mouse and a few taps on the keyboard, class is in session for online junior high school student Dannah Knight.

“You’re in your own classroom, except you’re doing it from the comfort of your own home,” said Knight. “You still are learning through the textbook because you have the online textbook in front of you.”

Knight has taken a few online courses, giving her freedom to learn at her own pace.

“I like that she can do it on her own time and she can fit it around her schedule,” said mom Melissa Knight.

“I don’t have to worry about the distracting kids in the background that won’t shut up so that the teacher can continue to teach us,” added Knight.

But the freedom to take which classes Knight wants is now being capped.

“It’s hard because that is something I really look forward to because I know I can come home and I can do it,” said Knight. “But if I don’t have it, then that’s kind of a problem.”

The Idaho Digital Learning Academy is being forced to put a cap on the number of students allowed to take courses.

IDLA is sponsored by the state, which limited its budget to $5 million this next school year — a budget that doesn’t allow for growth.

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual School Facing Budget Cuts

Idaho Virtual Academy