I think it won't work because FCPS is too spineless to make parents make a binding decision. Parents will choose Virtual VA then change their mind, causing a logistical nightmare.

12:23 again.

I forgot to mention, because VAVA is technically a public school, you still have to prep your kid on your own for the SOLs and go through all the benchmarking/compliance stuff that the host counties require.

I'm a current VAVA parent. I think it is a good idea in many ways, but I do not think this would work across the board.

First, VAVA operates off the curriculum of a private online school, K12, which is extremely rigorous. I think most kids who have been effectively out of school for 18 months would be drowning in it, and I think most parents who have the bandwidth to offer as much support as K12 requires have probably already unenrolled from their public school system.

K12 for elementary schoolers involves an incredible about of parental involvement. When you enroll, they tell you that your child will need 5-6 hours per day of your support. Your child has a designated "learning coach" (usually a parent) who is the person to work through all the lessons with him/her. Since we have multiple children in the program, it often takes me much longer.

The program can provide a great education, but it is not for the faint of heart and it is definitely NOT appropriate for a child who is already behind. Children have to apply for the program and they only get in if it is determined that they are a good fit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virtual Virginia is free for FCPS students. Dirty little secret. No vouchers needed for a better education.

So basically it’s not about “in-person is the only thing that works” rather “I have a vendetta against my local school system.” Thanks for clarifying what we already suspected

How is it a vendetta? Some parents have found that DL doesn't work for their kids and they'd rather have them back in class. If Virtual Virginia offers good online instruction, why shouldn't that program be expanded for those families which want to continue with DL?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virtual Virginia is free for FCPS students. Dirty little secret. No vouchers needed for a better education.

So basically it’s not about “in-person is the only thing that works” rather “I have a vendetta against my local school system.” Thanks for clarifying what we already suspected

Virtual Virginia is completely different from FCPS virtual learning. They send textbooks and workbooks and science materials and art materials. They have professional curricula designers and teachers well-versed in distance education.

This is what LCPS will do. No in-house DL next school year. Move on out here folks!

Anonymous wrote:Virtual Virginia is free for FCPS students. Dirty little secret. No vouchers needed for a better education.

So basically it’s not about “in-person is the only thing that works” rather “I have a vendetta against my local school system.” Thanks for clarifying what we already suspected

Anonymous wrote:FCPS would not do this -
1) they lose funding when students enroll in Virtual Virginia
2) teachers who want to teach from home would not be able to (which unions want to remain as long as possible such as 2022)
3) Due to #1, they would/should have to reduce staff due to lower enrollment

It's a great thought but it would never fly..

+1 Agreed

Virtual Virginia is free for FCPS students. Dirty little secret. No vouchers needed for a better education.

So, if enough parents enroll in Virtual Virginia, FCPS loses funding and teachers who refuse to do in person lose their jobs?

It looks like Virtual Virginia’s asynchronous model is pretty inexpensive. Maybe more parents should consider it.

Anonymous wrote:I posted too soon. It makes more sense to do concurrent until the kids are vaccinated and then bring them all back.

If you mean concurrent 5 days a week. Otherwise that doesn't make sense.

I posted too soon. It makes more sense to do concurrent until the kids are vaccinated and then bring them all back.

From what I understand virtual virginia does not have live teaching. So, there is no need to adjust class size. They already have the classes. So no, teachers who want to stay virtual would not able to and then you have the issue there will still be outbreaks. Most of the kids will want to come back and it will be too many kids in the building 5 days a week.

FCPS would not do this -
1) they lose funding when students enroll in Virtual Virginia
2) teachers who want to teach from home would not be able to (which unions want to remain as long as possible such as 2022)
3) Due to #1, they would/should have to reduce staff due to lower enrollment

It's a great thought but it would never fly..

Is this plan possible? What are the barriers to making this happen? It seems to use/expand existing programs while addressing concerns of parents and teachers that are not comfortable returning in person:

Can we simply do two tracks this fall:

1) 5 day in person

2) Full time virtual via Virtual Virginia.

Just poll parents and teachers in April/May and spend the next 3/4 months planning and allocating resources.

Track 1 is acceptable to those that are comfortable with returning in person given projected vaccine availability by Summer 2021. Masks would still be required, but are good practice for other things, like the flu, and should not preclude track 1.

Track 2 avoids hybrid/concurrent. If there are not enough slots available at Virtual Virginia, FCPS could commit resources to support enrollment for FCPS students who opt for it, and teacher participation for those who don’t want in person. It is basic resource allocation.

We have plenty of time to do this. What are the barriers to achieving a goal that meets almost everyone’s needs? Teachers that want to stay virtual can. Students that want to stay virtual can. Everyone else is in person 5 days a week. We the time now. The budget is not set in stone yet. Let’s do this!