GAVS news [Vol. 1, Issue 1 (Sept. 2006)]

Kathy Cox,

GAVS News Volume 1, Issue 1

State Superintendent of Schools

.

Georgia Virtual School Reinvents the Classroom

On May 4, 2005, Governor Sonny Purdue signed the Georgia Virtual School bill, O.C.G.A. 20-2-31, into law establishing the first official state virtual school. Serving over 1300 public, private, and home school students thus far this fall, Georgia Virtual School (GAVS) is the second largest state virtual school in the country.
Students are able to access standardsbased college preparatory, advanced placement, business, and test

preparatory courses from any Internet-connected computer 24 hours per day, seven days a week. This year, over 80 course choices were available in both semester and/or block format.
In addition, all courses are taught by highly qualified, trained instructors. These content experts provide direction, feedback, and support to their students, helping students meet their academic potential.

Scheduling Options Offer Students and Schools

More Opportunities
Georgia Virtual School (GAVS) is continuously looking for ways to best serve the various needs of students and school districts. Because of this, more scheduling options will be offered each semester.
While most face-to-face summer school programs only offer one four and one-half to five week summer school session, GAVS offers three summer school sessions to fit the various scheduling needs of its students. Students can choose from two five week sessions or choose an extended

seven week session if they would like extra time to complete their course. All summer school courses are tuitionbased and cost $300 per one-half Carnegie unit.
In addition, four scheduling choices are available for fall and spring. Students and schools can choose from two 16 week sessions, one 13 week session or one 9 week session. Both FTE and tuition-funded seats are available for each session. Students should check with their local facilitator to choose the courses and course schedules that best fit their needs.

www.GAVirtualSchool.org

Final Exam and End-ofCourse-Test (EOCT) Schedule - Fall 2006
Final Exams
Session 1 Wed., Nov. 29 Fri., Dec. 1
*Final grades will be available Thurs., Dec. 7, 8:00 a.m.
Sessions 2, 3 & 4 Wed., Dec. 13 Fri., Dec. 15
*Final grades will be available Thurs., Dec. 21, 8:00 a.m.
EOCTs
Courses with EOCTs 9th Literature and Comp. American Literature and Comp.
Biology Physical Science
Algebra I Geometry U.S. History Economics
*Only students enrolled in AB and B classes of the courses listed above will take the EOCT.
Public School Students Mon., Nov. 27 Fri., Dec. 22
*Testing will be at local school. *Testing dates and times will be
arranged by local school facilitator.
Private and Home School Students
Thursday, Nov. 30
*Testing will be at regional ETTCs.
Georgia Virtual School provides all Georgia students access to a wide variety of standards-based courses taught by highly qualified teachers.

Spring 2007 Schedule
Session 1: January 8 May 4 Session 2: January 16 May 11 Session 3: January 29 May 11
Session 4: March 3 May 11 *Public school student registration begins
October 23. *Private and home school student registration begins December 4.
Students are able to access their courses 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any Internet-connected computer.

Registering Students for Courses Is as Simple as

Clicking a Mouse
Students self-register for GAVS courses using the online application system. By going to the GAVS web site, www.GAVirtualSchool.org, students can begin the process.
After finding available course choices through the Course Listings, students should click on the Interested Parents and Students tab, read the Welcome message, and click on Start Here or one of the Registration links on the page. Students and parents who are not familiar with the on-line learning environment may want to view the demo course before proceeding.

conduct form and the student agreement form, signing the electronic grade distribution form, and taking a self-assessment quiz. New students will then be required to create an account with GAVS before they are able to register for courses.
Students will then be prompted as to how to log in to register for their classes. Once registered, local school facilitators for public and private school students will either approve or deny course choices and payment type (either FTE or tuition). GAVS counselors do this for home school students.

After moving to the next page, students will read through registration requirements and then follow steps to register. These steps include ensuring computer readiness and system requirements, viewing the demo course, signing the student code of

Students may be then prompted via email to sign software agreement forms (depending on their course requirements) or pay tuition. Students are not enrolled in classes until they are completely through the registration process.

GAVS Teachers are Top-Notch
The GAVS faculty consists of approximately 120 teachers from all over the state of Georgia and other states, such as Florida, Alabama, and Missouri. Many hold advanced degrees, and all are highly qualified, holding Georgia certification in the fields they teach.
In order to teach for GAVS, teachers must successfully complete an online training program and field experience. Led by a highly qualified, experienced teacher leader, teacher trainees learn online teaching pedagogy, technical navigation tools, and legal, relevant issues concerning online learning and the GAVS program through an online course and an in-class field experience. Only after successful completion of both training phases is a teacher considered for hire.
GAVS is constantly looking for certified teachers to teach, develop, and revise courses. AP, world language, science, and math teachers are especially needed. All information about applying to teach, develop, and revise courses can be found on the GAVS web site at www.GAVirtualSchool.org.

GAVS Quick Facts
GAVS students scored above the state average on 8 out of 8 end-of-course tests in Summer 2006.
Fifty-six percent of AP students scored 3 or higher on AP exams in Spring 2006.
The average grade for all GAVS students who completed their course including the final exam for the 2005-06 school year is 80%.

Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

www.GAVirtualSchool.org