Virtual Academy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
My kids would be interested, IF it includes the most advanced courses, including all AP classes, and they’re taught by great teachers.

I think this actually has the potential to serve the kids with interest in the most specialized and advanced classes. Teachers are already cross-registered to different schools. You could easily pick up one class from a teacher who otherwise teaches a very advanced (like multi-variable calculus or both ap economics classes) or another niche class (peace studies, astronomy, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not sure how DL would address overcrowding or boundary issues if students are still assigned to their home schools. I'm not sure that it would because the same staff would be needed to support the students and access to classes and activities would still be the same. And you can't redraw boundaries based only on in person learners because the status of DL could change from year to year. I think it would be best on a countywide basis once pandemic issues have been resolved.

Hopefully it would be a countywide option starting in the fall!

[Anonymous]

With Pfizer reporting such brilliant results for the 12+ crowd (and already doing trials for younger ages) and considerably ramping up supply, it probably won't make sense to over-invest in a virtual academy concept. I suspect it'll be a relatively subdued temporary model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With Pfizer reporting such brilliant results for the 12+ crowd (and already doing trials for younger ages) and considerably ramping up supply, it probably won't make sense to over-invest in a virtual academy concept. I suspect it'll be a relatively subdued temporary model.

Maybe so, but other states offered virtual and/or flexible options long before COVID. Maryland pretends that education matters and that it is such a progressive state, but it's total BS. Maryland--and MCPS--is so rigid and so arrogant. There is no research to back up the idea that status quo public school is the best--or only--way to educate kids. The current DL model sucks and was thrown together out of necessity. it is possible to offer thoughtful, well-planned virtual instruction that will meet the needs of SOME students better. Education is not one size fits all. It's too bad school boards and the unions don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My kids would be interested, IF it includes the most advanced courses, including all AP classes, and they’re taught by great teachers.

I think this actually has the potential to serve the kids with interest in the most specialized and advanced classes. Teachers are already cross-registered to different schools. You could easily pick up one class from a teacher who otherwise teaches a very advanced (like multi-variable calculus or both ap economics classes) or another niche class (peace studies, astronomy, etc).

PP you replied to. Oh, that would be so wonderful! I hope it happens before he goes off to college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some kids are thriving in it, so why oppose having options and reduce overcrowding.

The reality of staffing logistics.

They reallocate staffing just like they'd do when a new school opens. Some teachers may want to transfer and hire some new ones. Again, how is this a bad thing to give families choice?

And teachers too. Some teachers are really good at virtual teaching and could choose to work at virtual academy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It needs to be separate to be a feasible long-term solution.

-School administrator

Agreed! There are many kids who suffer from mental and physical ailments who would jump at the chance to do school virtually. It would also save the county a fortune in-person expenses by relieving overcrowding. And that pesky boundary analysis can go in the trash can where it belongs.

Even if you peel off 10% to distance learning you're still going to have to redraw boundaries

Why?

Because if a school is 120 or 130% oversubscribed then you can't fix overcrowding with DL alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not sure how DL would address overcrowding or boundary issues if students are still assigned to their home schools. I'm not sure that it would because the same staff would be needed to support the students and access to classes and activities would still be the same. And you can't redraw boundaries based only on in person learners because the status of DL could change from year to year. I think it would be best on a countywide basis once pandemic issues have been resolved.

Hopefully it would be a countywide option starting in the fall!

Doubt it, mcps moves at a glacial pave and it's too complicated to create a single school for 20,000 to 60,000 kids depending on whatever projection you believe for number of students to choose DL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t Maryland do it like other states? Is Florida Virtual School good?

Any word on this?

I went to FLVS, and enjoyed it as a student. I did it for fun to take a bundle of extra AP courses(as well as others), and explore other classes without the cost associated to them if I had done it privately. I was very poor and used it to find new hobbies, and learn new things with a proper instructor instead of YouTube.

I was quite shocked that only a few states offered this. It really propelled me academically, my epilepsy wasn't controlled back then and I was loosing a lot of time in just physical school. I went from a student falling behind in 9th grade to being able to graduate by the end of my 11th year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t Maryland do it like other states? Is Florida Virtual School good?

Any word on this?

I went to FLVS, and enjoyed it as a student. I did it for fun to take a bundle of extra AP courses(as well as others), and explore other classes without the cost associated to them if I had done it privately. I was very poor and used it to find new hobbies, and learn new things with a proper instructor instead of YouTube.

I was quite shocked that only a few states offered this. It really propelled me academically, my epilepsy wasn't controlled back then and I was loosing a lot of time in just physical school. I went from a student falling behind in 9th grade to being able to graduate by the end of my 11th year.

MCPS has a VA. We go by counties so why would the state offer it?

[Anonymous]

I would also like to note, if I had a downward trend in grades at FLVS after joining they would reach out to my Guidance Counselor, and Parent to enroll me back at my physical school only.

The teachers at FLVS also got my 60-70 something year old parents to be active/understanding in my education. Something that they struggled with for many reasons before, transportation, not seeing value in parent/teacher convos, and not completing middle schools themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t Maryland do it like other states? Is Florida Virtual School good?

Any word on this?

I went to FLVS, and enjoyed it as a student. I did it for fun to take a bundle of extra AP courses(as well as others), and explore other classes without the cost associated to them if I had done it privately. I was very poor and used it to find new hobbies, and learn new things with a proper instructor instead of YouTube.

I was quite shocked that only a few states offered this. It really propelled me academically, my epilepsy wasn't controlled back then and I was loosing a lot of time in just physical school. I went from a student falling behind in 9th grade to being able to graduate by the end of my 11th year.

MCPS has a VA. We go by counties so why would the state offer it?

I didn't realize that, does DCPS have one? I honestly glossed over and thought this was the DCPS board. I've tried looking for one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t Maryland do it like other states? Is Florida Virtual School good?

Any word on this?

I went to FLVS, and enjoyed it as a student. I did it for fun to take a bundle of extra AP courses(as well as others), and explore other classes without the cost associated to them if I had done it privately. I was very poor and used it to find new hobbies, and learn new things with a proper instructor instead of YouTube.

I was quite shocked that only a few states offered this. It really propelled me academically, my epilepsy wasn't controlled back then and I was loosing a lot of time in just physical school. I went from a student falling behind in 9th grade to being able to graduate by the end of my 11th year.

MCPS has a VA. We go by counties so why would the state offer it?

Because they do.

[Anonymous]

MCPS has very limited space in the VA. It does not seem like they wanted kids to choose it. PGCPS has a larger virtual option this year. Both seem to be tied to the pandemic. It does not seem to be something they are interested in continuing when not in a pandemic. The MD superintendent is not a fan of virtual school, so I don't see a statewide option like FL. MD parents have to pay for the online schools that are free in other states. DCPS seems to have very limited virtual options as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t Maryland do it like other states? Is Florida Virtual School good?

+1. VA has had a virtual school option pre-covid at the state level. There is no reason for individual school districts to manage this. Move it to the state level.