Testimonials
One of the most surprising things about online learning is the fact that so many different kinds of students thrive as online learners. We have heard many inspirational stories about how a well-planned and thoughtful online learning program made all the difference indeed. You'll find a variety of stories here to give you just a flavor of the exciting solutions that online learning provides every day.
"Forward" in Wisconsin
In 1851, Wisconsin chose the word "forward" as the state motto. Following in that progressive mindset, a district just Southwest of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Appleton decided to charter an online high school, and they commissioned Connie Radtke to research and implement.
Over several months, Radtke evaluated 70 online learning providers by exacting three standards: 1) The curriculum meets a high percentage of national standards. 2) Curriculum can be modified to local standards. 3) Appleton can use its own teachers.
Florida Virtual School was one of only two who could offer those options.
"The Florida courses had the 'soul of the teacher,'" Radtke notes. "The other ones had the content, but there's a difference between content that is put online by someone who is a technical specialist versus someone who has a teaching background. It's hard to define, but it becomes engaging in a way that is not otherwise possible."
Appleton eSchool began with just a handful of courses in the 03-04 school year, and they served just 77 students. By 05-06, Appleton served more than 1,000 students with 90% completing successfully.
Most of Appleton eSchool's enrollees are high school students taking just one or two courses online. One student's family was transferred to Jakarta, Indonesia, for six months. Visa stipulations required them to leave Jakarta every couple of months, so the family decided to travel, but that meant an interruption in studies-except that their son was a student in the eSchool. He was able to keep up with his studies and with his class back home.
One girl lived in Toronto because she competed with the women's ice hockey team. Because of the online program, she completed her diploma and is now in college on a scholarship. Another student is the Czech Republic competing in the junior figure skating championship.
Not all students are athletes or world travelers. One student makes regular 90-minute road trips for ongoing cancer treatments. The eSchool provides him with flexibility to complete his studies. His goal is to graduate with his class this spring.
Wisconsin's strong commitment to local control led Appleton to create the Wisconsin eSchool Network, partnering with other districts and FLVS to offer courses throughout the state. Districts may join by investing seed money towards the purchase and maintenance of statewide course license fees. They also provide instructors who serve the network. Another option is to pay an annual fee and, again, provide a teacher. Or districts may simply purchase seats.
In 06-07, the network will add the Virtual School Administrator (VSA), a performance management tool from FLVS. VSA will provide the network with tools for enrollment needs, data tracking, online registration, reporting, student and teacher performance management, student placement, and more.
Radtke credits the teacher training, implementation assistance, and ongoing growth partnership with Florida Virtual Global Services for much of their success. By working with FLVS to build a solid program, Appleton has a model that allows partner districts to offer e-learning options without reinventing the wheel. "All of these things would not have been possible without our partnership with Florida," Radtke states.
Testimonials
