Mowery said students at the alternative school do their work through the Virtual Learning Academy and by using computer stations in a classroom.

“We have the capability to do that,” he said.

Mowery said Huntington’s use of the alternative school varies from month to month. Paint Valley Superintendent Gary Uhrig described his district’s use of the school as “sparingly.” Southeastern and Zane Trace used it “rarely,” superintendents Brian Justice and Richard Spindler said. Union-Scioto Superintendent Dwight Garrett said his district “did not use it with high frequency.”

For the rest of the article, go to Future cloudy for alternative school existence

Paul Ramsey, Cleveland Schools’ energy education specialist, was presented the Pacesetter award from Energy Educators. Garrett Self, a consultant with the company, presented the award. Mr. Self said, “This is a very distinguished award.” He said Mr. Ramsey is a “living, breathing example and is leading the way for others.”

Mr. Ramsey has saved the system over $1 million in 28 months. When he accepted the award, Mr. Ramsey said, “This is a team effort. I would like to thank the maintenance department, kitchen staff, faculty and janitorial staff.”

Jim David, seventh-grade teacher, and Sandy Farlow, eighth-grade teacher, have been teaching in a virtual learning classroom. The pair say they are able to really dig into the textbooks and give direct instruction with the students following one set of rules and expectations. They say with the smaller learning environment the students are building confidence.

The two Cleveland Middle School teachers will present their paperless classroom to the Tennessee School Board’s annual meeting attendees over the weekend.

For the rest of the article, go to Plans To Be Drawn For Betsy Vines Little Theatre At Cleveland High; “Paperless Classroom” Working Well

“At minimum, we will offer at least two AP classes next year — one traditional and one online — which is what the grant requires,” he said.

Gies said the school is still determining what courses it will offer.

The district is still planning how to use a $750,000 state technology grant it received last summer to help integrate 21st-century teaching and learning in the high school.

Shelby will join the Advance Placement Network with its latest grant. The Ohio Department of Education has announced more than $400,000 in federal Race to the Top funds to create the AP Network.

Each network school will receive two four-hour professional development sessions and attend a free half-day workshop focusing on curriculum. They also have the option to receive funding support for expansion of virtual learning options to reach underserved groups of students, as well as priority registration for a summer of AP training for teachers. The grant is intended to increase numbers in underrepresented areas, such as rural and urban.

“Schools were chosen through a competitive application process that required applicants to show their vision of building an AP culture,” said Yolandé Berger, AP network coordinator.

For the rest of the article, go to Shelby to offer AP classes next year

• Agreed to enter into a blended service agreement with Virtual Learning Network Partners for a one-year pilot of customizing online distance learning services in conjunction with district curriculum.

For the rest of the article, go to Tusky Valley BOE meeting of July 11

For the rest of the article, go to Online commentary: Virtual learning works for many students

For the rest of the article, go to Frye selected as virtual director

The TPS school board unanimously approved major parts of the district’s transformation plan Tuesday night.

The resolution addressed three parts of the plan. K-8 schools will be implemented throughout the school district for the upcoming school year, virtual learning labs will be set up in each school so students can complete missed classes and eight district buildings will be closed.

“We know that it can be an overwhelming process, but we want them to get started so they can have everything done by fall when we start,” said Bob Vasquez, TPS Board President.

Vasquez said the district still has a lot to do. Boundaries have to be redrawn for the neighborhood schools.

For the rest of the article, go to TPS transition plan moves forward

Ohio school district makes snow days into virtual learning days

Making up school calamity days can often be a struggle for school districts. One Ohio school district is piloting an innovative program to ensure students continue their education from home while the district shortens their number of calamity days.

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual learning snow days

For the rest of the article go to, Fisher named interim principal at Chillicothe High School

Taylor, of the teachers’ union, is concerned about budget cuts with the coming changes in Ohio. “There may be a few districts that are financially strapped in this climate who may see [credit flexibility] as a chance to see budget slashing, but if they do, obviously it’s going to be done to the detriment of effective student learning,” she warns. On the contrary, she thinks districts should hire more teachers, with some taking on more supervisory and advisory roles in overseeing credit-flexibility experiences. “If a teacher has 125 students in a day, it’s not going to be feasible for [him] to help to design and work with each and every student,” she says.

For the rest of the article, go to States Experiment With Out-of-Classroom Learning