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Virtual Schools. Online courses. Power Point presentations. These are a few of the key phrases that the 31,000 students of the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) use daily. Yes! 31,000 students have registered for over 68,000 individual courses from this unique, high tech school. Wow!!!
This week, we educate ourselves on this concept that was established in 1997 for high school students. We discuss this incredible school with Sheryl Buchanan, the sweet 8th grade science teacher of FLVS. It wasn’t until 3 years ago that middle school students are now able to “attend” this school. First, FLVS started as a grant based project between two schools for high school students who wanted to take AP courses. Now, there are also core academic classes and FLVS has expanded to include middle school students as well as an adult curriculum. If you have an advanced 5th grader, you have to obtain special permission, but it can be done as early as 5th grade!
But, is this for everyone?! Students of FLVS may be a full-time FLVS student, a part-time student who attends the traditional school as well as a few courses at FLVS, or a student who only takes one course. Sheryl shares with us that students who decide to “attend” FLVS must get the school counselor’s permission and then, parents would apply for the class/course. You are on a waiting list and hopefully, will get called as soon as there is an opening. She also tells us that student who do this must be self-motivated and be able to stick to a schedule. It does teach students how to manage their time more efficiently.
With over 31,000 students, I just HAD to ask how many 8th graders did she have in her science class? Get this… she says not 60, not 80, not 100. She has about 190 students!!!! And she said that she speaks to each parent and student a minimum of once a month!!! Wow! How dedicated is she! The classes are available 24 hrs/day for 7 days/week and she is accessible just as much! (That’s a concept a little hard for me to grasp…) But, how cool is that?!?
Sheryl brings up some really good points about FLVS and how children are able to become so adept at making Power Point Presentations, using Instant Messenger,and other computer programs. Students learn time management skills, how to “PACE” themselves using the FLVS pacing system on how to keep on track with his/her assignments, and how to communicate with their teachers on a one-on-one basis. Incredible!
So, Moms…. this is indeed an interesting topic! Gets us thinking “out of the box” regarding our children’s learning, doesn’t it? It sure did ours!
Happy Listening and we’ll see you next week!
We could get Julie Young director to be interviewed for FLVS.