www.monash.edu.au

Glenn Russell Feb 2004

Virtual Schools Research

Survey 2003

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Virtual Schools Survey

• 54 Virtual Schools surveyed 2003• thirteen questions related to location,

type, grade levels, course options, course availability, teacher certification, teacher training, school accountability, student supervision, student socialization, and student selection.

• 10 responses received (18.5%)• Provided indications of trends

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Location

• All responses came from US and Canadian schools

• Canada =2• USA=8

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Type

• In-school =0• Out-of-school =6• Out-of-school hybrid (with call-backs

etc) 3• NA=1

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Grade levels offered at virtual schools

• Senior high school =8• Middle high School = 4• Junior High School = 3• Elementary (primary) = 2• All of K-12 = 1

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Course Options

• Regular courses for high school or elementary students =10

• Remedial courses =3• Supplementary courses eg for home

schooling =4

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• Available in specified geographic area =7

• Available in other areas eg interstate or international = 7

• Restricted to those with disability, isolation or illness=0

Course Availability

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Teacher Certification

• All teachers certified for grade or subject area =8

• Some teachers not certified (eg used college professors) =1

• NA=1

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Teacher Training and Professional Development

• All or most teachers involved in training or PD =7

• Some teachers only involved =2• NA=1

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School Accountability

• External review completed =6• Internal Review completed =4• Review planned during next 12 months

= 2

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School Supervision

• Students supervised by certified teachers=5

• Students supervised by parents, guardians or carers = 4

• Students do not require supervision =2

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Socialisation

• Regular face-to-face meetings with teachers and other students =3

• Students encouraged to form online communities or arrange their own social interactions = 4

• No provision for socialisation =3

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Student Selection and Counselling

• Students asked to complete checklist before enrolment = 4

• Students meet with a counsellor (face-to-face or online) before enrolment = 2

• No criteria used = 1• NA=3

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Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:• Flexibility for students• Student motivation• Future employment

and schooling

Disadvantages• Time-consuming to

prepare and teach

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END

THANK YOU