Virtual Education Sees Shift to Accountability

Virtual schooling is in the era of a fundamental shift in its development that should be embraced, not feared, argue the authors and sponsors of the 2011 version of the “Keeping Pace” annual report on virtual schooling.

While most virtual school advocates in the past may have focused on gaining exposure for their programs, experts suggest they should shift toward emphasizing accountability and transparency in those programs to a community at-large becoming more aware of virtual education. And despite some recent negative press about online schooling’s benefit or lack thereof, they agree that many virtual providers are heading in this direction.

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Connections Academy Virtual Public School Students Head Back To School — Without Leaving Home

Over 30,000 K-12 public school students nationwide are heading back to school – without getting on a bus, entering a classroom, or even leaving their homes. It’s back to school for students enrolled in Connections Academy (http://www.ConnectionsAcademy.com), tuition-free virtual public schools that students attend from home or other location outside a traditional classroom. Enrollment is still going on and interested families are encouraged to learn more at in-person and virtual information sessions taking place across the country. View a “Day in the Life” of a Connections Academy family video.

The 2011-2012 school year marks the 10 year anniversary for Connections Academy, the award-winning, fully accredited provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual schooling for students in grades K through 12. The virtual learning pioneer celebrates its decade of serving students and families with major milestones: more than 30,000 students will get their education from 22 Connections Academy full-time virtual schools spanning 21 states. New Connections Academy schools serving students in the coming school year include: Georgia Connections Academy; Louisiana Connections Academy; Oklahoma Connections Academy; and Utah Connections Academy. Still more students will benefit from the flexible and online private school option, National Connections Academy.

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Connections Academy, Leading Virtual School Provider, Graduates Record Number of High School Seniors

Connections Academy, http://www.connectionsacademy.com, a leading, fully accredited provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual schooling for students in grades K through 12, is celebrating the graduation of its largest ever senior class at the end of this 2010-2011 academic year. More than 1,100 12th graders from Connections Academy virtual public schools – plus the online private school National Connections Academy – are celebrating their achievement during traditional commencement ceremonies in their local communities.

Connections Academy’s 2011 graduating class is 89% bigger than its class of 2010 graduates, reflecting the rapid growth of the virtual school program. More than 61 percent of Connections Academy graduates will continue their education and immediately enter four-year colleges and universities or community colleges and approximately 39% will attend vocational schools, enter the military, start careers or pursue other plans.

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Calvert Virtual Academy Introduces Next Generation in Homeschooling

Traditional homeschooling provides individual flexibility and self-pacing. Virtual schooling often adheres to an established academic calendar, pacing students together. Calvert Virtual Academy combines the best of both models into a unique program that provides the flexibility of traditional homeschooling with the instructional supervision of virtual schooling.

Multiple tiers of personal instructional support from expert online instructors enhance the learning experience. A Homeroom Teacher monitors students’ progress and assists with pacing; Calvert Course Instructors in Language Arts, Social Studies and Science and Math deliver recorded instruction, evaluate work, and assist students with assignments; and Calvert Education Counselors assist with daily work and support families throughout the academic year with specific curriculum insight and advice. The program provides flexibility to accommodate personal schedules and learning styles.

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